The bill H. 3571 seeks to improve underground facility damage prevention in South Carolina by amending various sections of the South Carolina Code of Laws. It introduces new definitions such as "large project," "notice," "pre-marking," "private facility," "project initiator," and "soft digging," while also modifying existing definitions like "excavate," "excavator," and "operator." The bill clarifies the roles of the operators' association and the notification center, including penalties for non-compliance and the requirement for quarterly damage reports. It establishes a process for large projects, defined as those requiring extensive excavation or demolition, and extends the notice period for certain excavations, while mandating immediate reporting of known damage by excavators.

Additionally, the bill outlines specific notice requirements for excavators, including timelines for notifying the notification center and the necessary information to be included in the notice. It introduces a comprehensive reporting and training framework for notification centers, requiring them to compile annual reports and develop a damage prevention training program. The bill also specifies exemptions for single-family homeowners, agricultural activities, and maintenance work by public entities, while establishing civil penalties for violations, with fines up to $5,000 for general infractions and up to $25,000 for severe violations. The Attorney General is empowered to enforce these penalties, and the act will take effect one year after being approved by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
12/12/2024: 58-36-20, 58-36-50, 58-36-60, 58-36-70, 58-36-80, 58-36-90, 58-36-100, 58-36-110, 58-36-120, 58-36-75
02/26/2025: 58-36-20, 58-36-50, 58-36-60, 58-36-70, 58-36-80, 58-36-90, 58-36-100, 58-36-110, 58-36-120, 58-36-75
02/27/2025: 58-36-20, 58-36-50, 58-36-60, 58-36-70, 58-36-80, 58-36-90, 58-36-100, 58-36-110, 58-36-120, 58-36-75
03/04/2025: 58-36-20, 58-36-50, 58-36-60, 58-36-70, 58-36-80, 58-36-90, 58-36-100, 58-36-110, 58-36-120, 58-36-75
04/29/2025: 58-36-20, 58-36-50, 58-36-60, 58-36-70, 58-36-80, 58-36-90, 58-36-100, 58-36-110, 58-36-120, 58-36-75
05/01/2025: 58-36-20, 58-36-50, 58-36-60, 58-36-70, 58-36-80, 58-36-90, 58-36-100, 58-36-110, 58-36-120, 58-36-75
05/06/2025: 58-36-20, 58-36-50, 58-36-60, 58-36-70, 58-36-80, 58-36-90, 58-36-100, 58-36-110, 58-36-120, 58-36-75
05/07/2025: 58-36-20, 58-36-50, 58-36-60, 58-36-70, 58-36-80, 58-36-90, 58-36-100, 58-36-110, 58-36-120, 58-36-75
Latest Version: 58-36-20, 58-36-50, 58-36-60, 58-36-70, 58-36-80, 58-36-90, 58-36-100, 58-36-110, 58-36-120, 58-36-75