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

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 requires the notification center to compile an annual report on various metrics and clarifies that it is not considered a public body. The bill outlines specific notice requirements for excavators, including timelines for notifying the notification center and the information to be included. It also addresses emergency excavations, liability for damages, and the responsibilities of excavators in the event of damage to facilities. Civil penalties for violations are established, with fines up to $5,000 for general infractions and up to $25,000 for severe violations, and the Attorney General is given authority to enforce these penalties. The act will take effect one year after approval from 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
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