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 from operators. It establishes a process for large projects, which involve extensive excavation or demolition, and extends the notice period for certain excavations while implementing new emergency notification requirements.

Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of a damage prevention training program by the notification center, which will include responsibilities such as developing facility location agreements for large projects and investigating complaints. It specifies that the notification center is not considered a public body under current law. The bill outlines procedures for excavators to notify the notification center before commencing work and details the responsibilities of operators in marking facilities. It also establishes civil penalties for violations, with fines up to $5,000 for general infractions and up to $25,000 for severe violations, while granting the Attorney General authority to enforce these penalties. Overall, the bill aims to enhance safety and accountability in excavation and demolition activities across the state.

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