The bill seeks to improve safe excavation practices and protect underground utilities by amending the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act. It establishes a comprehensive damage prevention program that assigns responsibilities for notifying about proposed excavations and mandates that facility operators accurately mark their underground facilities at no cost. New requirements include excavators providing a "work-to-begin date" when notifying facility operators through a one-number locator service, which must also maintain a web-based platform for accessibility. The bill introduces terms like "blind boring," "potholing," and "positive response" to clarify excavation methods and communication protocols, emphasizing collaboration between excavators and facility operators.

Additionally, the bill increases penalties for violations related to the excavation of underground facilities, with civil penalties of up to $25,000 for damaging hazardous liquid or gas facilities due to non-compliance. It establishes a safety committee with representatives from various stakeholders, including a newly added labor organization, to review complaints and advise on best practices. The commission is granted the authority to investigate and enforce violations related to pipeline facilities without needing a referral from the safety committee, streamlining the process for imposing penalties and enhancing overall safety measures in underground utility operations.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 19.122.010, 19.122.020, 19.122.027, 19.122.030, 19.122.031, 19.122.050, 19.122.055, 19.122.160, 19.122.090, 19.122.100, 19.122.130, 19.122.150
Substitute Bill: 19.122.010, 19.122.020, 19.122.027, 19.122.030, 19.122.031, 19.122.050, 19.122.055, 19.122.160, 19.122.090, 19.122.100, 19.122.130, 19.122.150
Engrossed Substitute: 19.122.010, 19.122.020, 19.122.027, 19.122.030, 19.122.031, 19.122.050, 19.122.055, 19.122.160, 19.122.100, 19.122.130, 19.122.150
Bill as Passed Legislature: 19.122.010, 19.122.020, 19.122.027, 19.122.030, 19.122.031, 19.122.050, 19.122.055, 19.122.160, 19.122.100, 19.122.130, 19.122.150
Session Law: 19.122.010, 19.122.020, 19.122.027, 19.122.030, 19.122.031, 19.122.050, 19.122.055, 19.122.160, 19.122.100, 19.122.130, 19.122.150