The bill H. 3571 seeks to enhance the South Carolina Code of Laws concerning underground facility damage prevention by introducing new definitions and requirements for excavation and demolition activities. It includes definitions for terms such as "large project," "notice," "pre-marking," "private facility," "project initiator," and "soft digging," while also amending existing definitions for "excavate," "excavator," and "operator." The bill clarifies the roles of the operators' association and the notification center, establishes penalties for non-compliance, and mandates quarterly damage reports from operators. A new section specifically addresses large projects, which require extensive work or are expected to last over ninety days, detailing additional notification and response requirements for emergency excavations.

Moreover, the bill mandates the notification center to compile an annual report on metrics related to excavation activities and to create a damage prevention training program. It outlines specific notice requirements for excavators, including timelines for notifying the notification center and the necessary information to be included. The bill also revises penalties for violations of excavation laws, allowing fines of up to $5,000 for general violations and up to $25,000 for severe infractions. It ensures that civil remedies for personal injury or property damage remain unaffected and stipulates that all collected penalties will be divided between the state's general fund and the Office of the Attorney General. The act is set to take effect one year after receiving the Governor's approval.

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