The bill, S.B. No. 501, aims to enhance underground facility safety in Texas by amending various sections of the Utilities Code. Key changes include a broader definition of "underground facility" to encompass various forms of telecommunications services, 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 a notification center as a condition of doing business. Additionally, it establishes a fee structure for services provided by the corporation overseeing these operations and outlines the responsibilities of operators in marking the locations of their facilities.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that operators provide general information about excavation activities to their residential customers annually and requires them to report any damage to underground facilities immediately. It also introduces penalties for unauthorized removal or damage to markers indicating the location of underground facilities. The bill repeals certain existing provisions related to the classification of underground facilities and is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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)