The bill amends various sections of the Utilities Code to enhance underground facility safety regulations in Texas. It redefines "underground facility" to include a broader range of services, such as telecommunications, electrical energy, natural gas, petroleum products, and other materials. The bill also modifies the requirements for operators of underground facilities, removing the classification of "Class A" operators and instead mandating that all operators participate in notification centers. Additionally, it establishes new duties for the corporation overseeing these facilities, including maintaining a registration of notification centers, developing public service announcements, and investigating complaints regarding charges.

Furthermore, the bill updates the provisions for general information dissemination to residential customers, requiring operators to provide information about excavation activities annually. It also specifies the responsibilities of operators in marking the locations of their underground facilities and reporting any damage that occurs during excavation. The bill repeals certain outdated provisions and sets a new effective date of September 1, 2025, for the changes to take effect.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Utilities Code 251.002, Utilities Code 251.009, Utilities Code 251.060, Utilities Code 251.062, Utilities Code 251.105, Utilities Code 251.107, Utilities Code 251.157, Utilities Code 251.159, Utilities Code 251.203 (Utilities Code 251)