Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Bill HB517 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	HB517INTRODUCED
2	2	Page 0
3	3	HB517
4	4	9JVE3MB-1
5	5	By Representative Marques
6	6	RFD: Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure
7	7	First Read: 03-Apr-25
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12	12	5 9JVE3MB-1 04/02/2025 CMH (L)bm 2025-1488
13	13	Page 1
14	14	First Read: 03-Apr-25
15	15	SYNOPSIS:
16	16	Under existing law, the Underground Damage
17	17	Prevention Program exists to administer the One-Call
18	18	Notification System to safeguard against injury and
19	19	loss of life due to excavation or demolition and to
20	20	protect underground facilities from costly damage and
21	21	the interruption of utility or other services to the
22	22	general public.
23	23	This bill would establish various procedures for
24	24	excavators to follow prior to commencing complex or
25	25	large projects and would delete certain statutory
26	26	sunset clauses pertaining to the program.
27	27	A BILL
28	28	TO BE ENTITLED
29	29	AN ACT
30	30	Relating to the Underground Damage Prevention Program;
31	31	to amend Sections 37-15-2, 37-15-4, 37-15-4.1, 37-15-5,
32	32	37-15-6, 37-15-8, 37-15-9, 37-15-10, 37-15-10.1, and
33	33	37-15-10.2, Code of Alabama 1975; and to add Section 37-15-4.2
34	34	to the Code of Alabama 1975, to provide various underground
35	35	damage prevention requirements for excavators before
36	36	commencing complex or large projects; to delete a statutory
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66	66	commencing complex or large projects; to delete a statutory
67	67	sunset clause related to the program; and to further provide
68	68	for hearing procedures.
69	69	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
70	70	Section 1. Sections 37-15-2, 37-15-4, 37-15-4.1,
71	71	37-15-5, 37-15-6, 37-15-8, 37-15-9, 37-15-10, 37-15-10.1, and
72	72	37-15-10.2, Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as
73	73	follows:
74	74	"§37-15-2
75	75	As used in this chapter the following words have the
76	76	following meanings:
77	77	(1) APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF UNDERGROUND FACILITIES.
78	78	Information about an operator's underground facilities which
79	79	is provided to a person by an operator and must be accurate to
80	80	within 18 inches measured horizontally from the outside edge
81	81	of each side of such operator's facility, or a strip of land
82	82	18 inches either side of the operator's field mark or the
83	83	marked width of the facility plus 18 inches on each side of
84	84	the marked width of the facility. The term does not include a
85	85	designation of location as to the depth below the surface of
86	86	the ground.
87	87	(2) AUTHORITY. The Underground Damage Prevention
88	88	Authority created under Section 37-15-10.1.
89	89	(3) AUTHORITY BOARD. The Underground Damage Prevention
90	90	Board created under Section 37-15-10.1.
91	91	(4) BLASTING. The use of an explosive device for the
92	92	excavation of earth, rock, or other material or the demolition
93	93	of a structure.
94	94	(5) COMPLEX OR LARGE PROJECT. Any excavation activity
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124	124	(5) COMPLEX OR LARGE PROJECT. Any excavation activity
125	125	that meets one or more of the following criteria:
126	126	a. The activity is initially planned to extend beyond a
127	127	standard 40 working day notification period.
128	128	b. The project will involve five or more consecutive
129	129	work crews operating simultaneously.
130	130	c. The project requires multiple locate requests for
131	131	the same activity within the same geographic area, submitted
132	132	within a single working day notification period, with all
133	133	activity occurring within the initial life of a single locate
134	134	request.
135	135	(5)(6) CONTRACT LOCATOR. Any person contracted with an
136	136	operator specifically to determine and mark the approximate
137	137	location of the operator's utility lines that exist within the
138	138	area specified by a notice served on the "One-Call
139	139	Notification System. "
140	140	(6)(7) DAMAGE. Includes, but is not limited to, the
141	141	substantial weakening of structural or lateral support of an
142	142	underground facility, penetration or destruction of any
143	143	underground facility's protective coating, housing, or other
144	144	protective device, and the partial or complete severance
145	145	(partial or complete) of any underground facility, but does
146	146	not apply to any operator's abandoned underground facility.
147	147	(7)(8) DEMOLITION. Any operation by which a structure
148	148	or mass of material is wrecked, razed, rendered, moved, or
149	149	removed by means of any tools, equipment, or explosives.
150	150	(8)(9) DESIGN OR SURVEY LOCATE REQUEST. Any
151	151	communication to the "One-Call Notification System, "
152	152	specifically to request existing underground facilities to be
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182	182	specifically to request existing underground facilities to be
183	183	located for bidding, predesign, or advance planning purposes.
184	184	A design locate request may not be made or used for excavation
185	185	purposes, and an excavation locate request may not be made or
186	186	used for design or survey purposes.
187	187	(9)(10) EMERGENCY EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION. An
188	188	excavation or demolition that is required to eliminate an
189	189	imminent danger to life, health, property, or the environment
190	190	or required for the repair or restoration of operator service
191	191	that is required to be performed before the notification and
192	192	response procedures required in Section 37-15-4 and 37-15-6
193	193	may be fully utilized.
194	194	(10)(11) EXCAVATE or EXCAVATION. Any operation for the
195	195	purpose of the movement or removal of earth, rock, or other
196	196	material by mechanized equipment ,or explosive device , or hand
197	197	digging.and
198	198	a. The term includes, but is not limited to, augering,
199	199	backfilling, blasting, boring, digging, ditching, dredging,
200	200	drilling, grading, pile-driving, plowing-in, pulling-in,
201	201	ripping, scraping, sub-soiling, trenching, and tunneling.
202	202	Excavate or excavation
203	203	b. The term does not include routineany of the
204	204	following:
205	205	1. Routine roadway maintenance activities carried out
206	206	by or for those responsible for publicly-maintained publicly
207	207	maintained roadways, provided that the activities meet all of
208	208	the following requirements: (i) occur entirely within the
209	209	right-of-way of a public road, street, or highway; (ii) are
210	210	carried out with reasonable care so as to protect any utility
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240	240	carried out with reasonable care so as to protect any utility
241	241	facilities placed in the right-of-way by permit; (iii) are
242	242	carried out within the limits of any original excavation on
243	243	the traveled way, shoulder, or drainage ditches of a public
244	244	road, street, or highway; and ,(iv) if involving the
245	245	replacement of existing structures, including traffic control
246	246	devices, replace such structures in their approximate previous
247	247	locations and at their approximate previous depth. Excavate or
248	248	excavation does not include routine
249	249	2. Routine railroad maintenance activities conducted
250	250	within the track structure and its adjacent right-of-way,
251	251	provided the activities are performed by railroad employees or
252	252	railroad contractors and are carried out with reasonable care
253	253	so as to protect any underground facilities placed in the
254	254	railroad right-of-way by agreement with the railroad. Nothing
255	255	in this chapter shall modify or abrogate any contractual
256	256	provision entered into between any railroad and any other
257	257	party owning or operating an underground facility or
258	258	underground utility lines within the railroad's right-of-way.
259	259	3. Activities carried out by those responsible for
260	260	publicly maintained roadways when utilizing non-mechanized
261	261	tools or equipment on its property or on its right-of-way.
262	262	(11)(12) EXCAVATOR. Any person who engages in
263	263	excavation.
264	264	(12)(13) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The executive committee
265	265	created under Section 37-15-10.1.
266	266	(14) HAND DIGGING. Any movement, placement, or removal
267	267	of earth, rock, or other materials in or on the ground by use
268	268	of non-mechanized tools or equipment, including, but not
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298	298	of non-mechanized tools or equipment, including, but not
299	299	limited to, shovels, picks, post hole diggers, vacuum
300	300	excavation, or soft digging. The term does not include either
301	301	of the following:
302	302	a. A property owner utilizing non-mechanized tools or
303	303	equipment on their own property.
304	304	b. The use of non-mechanized tools or equipment by or
305	305	on behalf of a member operator to a depth not greater than 18
306	306	inches for locating, repairing, connecting, protecting, or
307	307	routine maintenance of the member operator's underground
308	308	facilities.
309	309	(13)(15) IMPLIED EASEMENT. Any unwritten easement or
310	310	right-of-way on private property required to provide utility
311	311	or other services by means of underground facilities on
312	312	property of the owner requesting such service.
313	313	(14)(16) MARK or MARKING. The use of stakes, flags,
314	314	paint, buoys, or clearly identifiable materials placed on the
315	315	surface of the ground or water to show the approximate
316	316	location of underground facilities.
317	317	(15)(17) MECHANIZED EQUIPMENT. Equipment powered or
318	318	energized by any motor, engine, hydraulic, or pneumatic device
319	319	and is used for excavation or demolition work , including, but
320	320	not limited to, tractors, trenchers, bulldozers, power
321	321	shovels, augers, backhoes, scrapers, pile drivers, drills,
322	322	cable and pipe plows, or other equipment used for plowing-in
323	323	or pulling-in cable or pipe.
324	324	(16)(18) MEMBER. A person who participates in the
325	325	"One-Call Notification System " to receive services and is in
326	326	good standing with the "One-Call Notification System " in
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356	356	good standing with the "One-Call Notification System " in
357	357	accordance with the guidelines set forth in the corporation's
358	358	bylaws.
359	359	(17)(19) NEAR MISS. An event where damage did not
360	360	occur, but a clear potential for damage was identified.
361	361	(18)(20) NONINVASIVE METHOD OF EXCAVATION. A method of
362	362	excavation that does not compromise the integrity of the
363	363	underground facility. These methods include, but are not
364	364	limited to, hand digging, pot holing, soft digging, vacuum
365	365	excavation methods, or other methods approved by the operator.
366	366	(19)(21) NOTIFICATION AREA. An area or territory which
367	367	an operator designates as the area where the operator wishes
368	368	to receive notifications for any excavation in that area. The
369	369	notification area should encompass the underground
370	370	distribution system or network of the operator.
371	371	(20)(22) ONE-CALL NOTIFICATION SYSTEM. A
372	372	non-profitnonprofit corporation, a public corporation, or a
373	373	governmental entity which will provide a statewide
374	374	notification service, for the purpose of receiving statewide
375	375	telephonic toll-free or electronic notification of any planned
376	376	excavation or demolition activities by excavators or other
377	377	persons as set forth in Section 37-15-4 and distributing the
378	378	required excavation or demolition information to its affected
379	379	member operators as set forth in Section 37-15-5.
380	380	(21)(23) OPERATOR. Any person, governmental agency, or
381	381	political subdivision, or its agents, who owns or operates a
382	382	public or private underground facility which furnishes
383	383	services, information, or materials, or transports or
384	384	transmits electric energy, light, water, steam, oil, gases,
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414	414	transmits electric energy, light, water, steam, oil, gases,
415	415	gas, mixture of gases, petroleum, petroleum products,
416	416	hazardous or flammable liquids, toxic or corrosive fluids and
417	417	gases, or items of like nature, and telecommunications, cable
418	418	television, water, drainage, sewage, or other systems of like
419	419	nature. The term "operator" does not apply to any entity
420	420	listed abovedescribed in this subdivision if all of the
421	421	underground facilities owned and operated by the entity are
422	422	for the sole use of the entity and are located solely on the
423	423	entity's own property or on property over which the entity has
424	424	rights of operation.
425	425	(22)(24) PERSON. An individual, joint venture,
426	426	partnership, association, authority, cooperative, firm,
427	427	corporation, governmental entity, or any subdivision or
428	428	instrumentality of that entity and its employees, agents, or
429	429	legal representatives.
430	430	(23)(25) POSITIVE RESPONSE. The communication among
431	431	member operators, persons excavating, and the "One-Call
432	432	Notification System " concerning the status of locating an
433	433	underground facility.
434	434	(24)(26) PREMARK. To delineate the general scope of the
435	435	excavation on the surface of the ground using white paint,
436	436	white stakes, or other similar white markings.
437	437	(25)(27) ROUTINE ROADWAY MAINTENANCE. Maintenance work
438	438	on a roadway that is not done pursuant to a contract awarded
439	439	by a state or local government through a bid process for which
440	440	plan drawings have been developed in advance or work for which
441	441	detailed and specific scheduling is not possible or feasible.
442	442	(26)(28) TOLERANCE ZONE. The width of the underground
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472	472	(26)(28) TOLERANCE ZONE. The width of the underground
473	473	facility plus 18 inches on either side of the outside edge of
474	474	the underground facility on a horizontal plane.
475	475	(27)(29) UNDERGROUND FACILITY. Any cable, pipeline,
476	476	duct, wire, conduit, or other similar installation, installed
477	477	underground or underwater, by which an operator transports or
478	478	delivers materials, information, or services.
479	479	(28)(30) WILLFUL NONCOMPLIANCE. The intentional refusal
480	480	or failure to perform, or comply with, a duty created or
481	481	imposed by this chapter or by the rules adopted pursuant to
482	482	this chapter.
483	483	(31) WORKING AGREEMENT. An agreement established as
484	484	part of the complex or large project process.
485	485	(29)(32) WORKING DAY. A 24-hour period commencing the
486	486	beginning of the start of the next working day from the time
487	487	of receipt of the notification, excluding Saturday, Sunday,
488	488	and the following nine holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day
489	489	(observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day,
490	490	Thanksgiving Day, the Friday following Thanksgiving Day,
491	491	Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. When any of these holidays
492	492	occur on a Saturday, it will be observed on the preceding
493	493	Friday, and when any of these holidays occur on a Sunday, it
494	494	will be observed on the following Monday.
495	495	(30)(33) WORKING DAY HOURS. The time from 7:00 a.m. to
496	496	5:00 p.m. local time on working days."
497	497	"§37-15-4
498	498	(a) A permit issued pursuant to law authorizing
499	499	excavation or demolition operations shall not be deemed to
500	500	relieve a person from the responsibility for complying with
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530	530	relieve a person from the responsibility for complying with
531	531	this chapter. Any public agency issuing such permit shall
532	532	notify the person receiving the permit of the notification
533	533	requirements of this chapter; however, failure to provide such
534	534	notification shall not make the State Department of
535	535	Transportation subject to the penalties provided for in
536	536	Section 37-15-10.
537	537	(b) Before commencing any excavation or demolition
538	538	operation prohibited by Section 37-15-3, each person
539	539	responsible for the excavation or demolition shall give
540	540	telephonic or electronic notice of the intent to excavate or
541	541	demolish to the underground facility operator or the "One-Call
542	542	Notification System " acting on behalf of the operator at least
543	543	two but not more than 10 working days prior to the start of
544	544	the proposed excavation, not including the day of
545	545	notification, and at least two working days but not more than
546	546	30 calendar days, not including the day of notification, prior
547	547	to the start of demolition or any blasting operations for
548	548	either excavation or demolition.
549	549	(c) The notice required by subsection (b) must contain
550	550	the name, address, and telephone number of the person
551	551	responsible for the excavation or the demolition and the
552	552	person giving notice, the proposed starting date and time, the
553	553	type of excavation or demolition operation to be conducted,
554	554	the location of the proposed excavation or demolition with
555	555	sufficient details to enable the operator to locate same with
556	556	reasonable certainty, and whether or not explosives are to be
557	557	used. In the event the location requirements of this
558	558	subsection cannot be met, the excavator shall premark the
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588	588	subsection cannot be met, the excavator shall premark the
589	589	route or boundaries of the site of proposed excavation or
590	590	demolition by means of white as the identifying color on
591	591	stakes, flags, paint, buoys, or clearly identifiable materials
592	592	placed on the surface of the ground or water prior to the
593	593	notification to the One-Call Notification System. However,
594	594	premarking is not required when the premarking could
595	595	reasonably interfere with traffic or pedestrian control.
596	596	(d) Notification to the One-Call Notification System of
597	597	an intent to excavate shall be valid for a period of 20
598	598	working days from the proposed starting date given for
599	599	excavation, and the notice to demolish shall be valid for a
600	600	period of 30 working days from the starting date given. Each
601	601	person responsible for excavation or demolition shall renew
602	602	with the One-Call Notification System each notice of intent to
603	603	excavate or demolish at least two working days, not
604	604	countingincluding the day of notification, prior to the
605	605	expiration date of the notice if the excavation or demolition
606	606	has not been completed.
607	607	(e) When engaged in an extensive and contiguous
608	608	construction, demolition, or excavation activity, working
609	609	agreements may be established to accomplish the intent and
610	610	purpose of this chapter between operators, public agencies,
611	611	and contractors after initial compliance with the notification
612	612	provisions of this chapter.
613	613	(f)(e) Compliance with the notice requirements of this
614	614	section is not required of persons plowing less than 12 inches
615	615	in depth for agricultural purposes.
616	616	(g)(f) Compliance with the notice requirements of this
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646	646	(g)(f) Compliance with the notice requirements of this
647	647	section is not required by persons or operators excavating on
648	648	their own property or easement when no other persons or
649	649	operators have underground facilities on the property or
650	650	easement.
651	651	(h)(g) Except for those persons submitting design or
652	652	survey locate requests, no person, including an operator,
653	653	shall request markings of a site through the One-Call
654	654	Notification System that meets the operational requirements as
655	655	described in subsection (a) of Section 37-15-5(a), unless
656	656	excavation is scheduled to commence. In addition, no person
657	657	shall make repeated requests for remarking, unless the
658	658	repeated request is required for excavating to continue or due
659	659	to circumstances not reasonably within the control of the
660	660	person.
661	661	(i)(h) Any person who complies with the notification
662	662	requirements of this chapter is not liable for damage to an
663	663	operator's underground facility if all of the following are
664	664	satisfied:
665	665	(1) The operator received the notification required by
666	666	this section.
667	667	(2) The operator failed to locate its underground
668	668	facilities as required by Section 37-15-6.
669	669	(3) The damage is a proximate result of the operator's
670	670	failure to locate its underground facilities as required by
671	671	Section 37-15-6."
672	672	"§37-15-4.1
673	673	(a) Any person may submit a design or survey locate
674	674	request to the One-Call Notification System. The design or
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704	704	request to the One-Call Notification System. The design or
705	705	survey locate request shall describe the tract or parcel of
706	706	land for which the design or survey locate request has been
707	707	submitted with sufficient particularity as defined by policies
708	708	developed and promulgated by the One-Call Notification System
709	709	to enable the facility operator to ascertain the precise tract
710	710	or parcel of land involved and. The request shall state the
711	711	name, address, and telephone number , and facsimile number of
712	712	the person who has submitted the design or survey locate
713	713	request and the company name of the project owner.
714	714	(b) Within five working days after a design or survey
715	715	locate request has been submitted to the One-Call Notification
716	716	System for a proposed project, the operator shall respond by
717	717	one of the following methods:
718	718	(1) Marking the approximate location of all underground
719	719	facilities in the area of proposed excavation.
720	720	(2) Providing to the person submitting the design or
721	721	survey locate request the best available description of all
722	722	underground facilities in the area of proposed excavation
723	723	which may include drawings of underground facilities already
724	724	built in the area or other facility records that are
725	725	maintained by the facility operator.
726	726	(3) Allowing the person submitting the design or survey
727	727	locate request or any other authorized person to inspect or
728	728	copy the drawings or other records for all underground
729	729	facilities within the proposed area of excavation.
730	730	(4) The complex or large project process as provided in
731	731	Section 37-15-4.2 may be used for complex or large survey or
732	732	design projects. "
733	733	337
734	734	338
735	735	339
736	736	340
737	737	341
738	738	342
739	739	343
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742	742	346
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762	762	design projects. "
763	763	"§37-15-5
764	764	(a) Until January 1, 2027:
765	765	(a)(1) Operators who have underground facilities within
766	766	this state shall participate in and utilize the services of
767	767	the One-Call Notification System.
768	768	(2) Operators that are members of the One-Call
769	769	Notification System on January 1, 2020, must remain members.
770	770	(3) Operators with more than 25,000 customers or 500
771	771	miles of facilities, that are not members, must join the
772	772	One-Call Notification System by January 1, 2021.
773	773	(4) Operators that do not meet the thresholds described
774	774	in subdivision (2) or (3), must join the One-Call Notification
775	775	System by January 1, 2022.
776	776	(5)(2) Operators of electrical underground facilities
777	777	that join the One-Call Notification System under the
778	778	requirements of subdivision (3) or (4) having less than five
779	779	percent underground trench miles compared to the total miles
780	780	of line, are not subject to the membership costs until their
781	781	underground trench miles exceed the trench mile exemption.
782	782	These operators shall be required to report annually to the
783	783	One-Call Notification System their percentage of underground
784	784	trench miles by the end of each calendar year.
785	785	(6)(3) If an operator of an underground facility fails
786	786	to become a member of the One-Call Notification System, as
787	787	required by this chapter, and that failure is a cause of
788	788	damage to that underground facility caused by a person who has
789	789	complied with this chapter and hashave exercised reasonable
790	790	care in the performance of the excavations that has caused
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792	792	366
793	793	367
794	794	368
795	795	369
796	796	370
797	797	371
798	798	372
799	799	373
800	800	374
801	801	375
802	802	376
803	803	377
804	804	378
805	805	379
806	806	380
807	807	381
808	808	382
809	809	383
810	810	384
811	811	385
812	812	386
813	813	387
814	814	388
815	815	389
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818	818	392 HB517 INTRODUCED
819	819	Page 15
820	820	care in the performance of the excavations that has caused
821	821	damage to the underground facility, the operator has no right
822	822	of recovery against the person for the damage to that
823	823	underground facility.
824	824	(b) Between April 18, 1994, and January 1, 1995, or any
825	825	time thereafter, any Any nonprofit non-profit corporation,
826	826	public corporation, or governmental entity desiring to become
827	827	the One-Call Notification System shall apply to the Alabama
828	828	Public Service Commission for a certificate of public
829	829	convenience and necessity, verifying under oath that the
830	830	applicant meets the requirements of this chapter. After a
831	831	public hearing on the application, if the Alabama Public
832	832	Service Commission deems that the applicant meets the
833	833	requirements of this chapter, and if it is found that the
834	834	applicant is fit, willing, and able to properly perform the
835	835	services proposed and that the proposed service is or will be
836	836	required by the present or future public convenience or
837	837	necessity, then in such event the Alabama Public Service
838	838	Commission may issue a certificate of public convenience and
839	839	necessity authorizing the applicant to commence its operation
840	840	as the One-Call Notification System. The Alabama Public
841	841	Service Commission shall revoke a certificate if the
842	842	non-profitnonprofit corporation, public corporation, or
843	843	governmental entity ceases to meet the requirements as set
844	844	forth in this chapter. The One-Call Notification System must
845	845	provide a report of operations and financial review or audit
846	846	to the Alabama Public Service Commission annually.
847	847	(c) Subject to subsections (a) and (b), there shall be
848	848	a statewide One-Call Notification System in accordance with
849	849	393
850	850	394
851	851	395
852	852	396
853	853	397
854	854	398
855	855	399
856	856	400
857	857	401
858	858	402
859	859	403
860	860	404
861	861	405
862	862	406
863	863	407
864	864	408
865	865	409
866	866	410
867	867	411
868	868	412
869	869	413
870	870	414
871	871	415
872	872	416
873	873	417
874	874	418
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876	876	420 HB517 INTRODUCED
877	877	Page 16
878	878	a statewide One-Call Notification System in accordance with
879	879	this chapter to provide notice of all excavation or demolition
880	880	near underground facilities.
881	881	(d) The One-Call Notification System shall be
882	882	incorporated or operated as a non-profitnonprofit corporation
883	883	and governed by a board of directors representing its
884	884	membership in accordance with the One-Call Notification System
885	885	bylaws.
886	886	(e) Operators of underground natural gas or hazardous
887	887	liquid pipeline facilities or the One-Call Notification System
888	888	acting on their behalf shall develop and implement a public
889	889	awareness and damage prevention program to educate the general
890	890	public, excavators, and operators about the availability and
891	891	use of the One-Call Notification System as required in
892	892	applicable federal regulations and the requirements of this
893	893	chapter.
894	894	(f) The person giving notice of intent to excavate or
895	895	demolish shall be furnished an individual reference file
896	896	number for each notification and upon request shall be
897	897	furnished the names of the operators to whom the notification
898	898	will be transmitted.
899	899	(g) An adequate record of notifications shall be
900	900	maintained by the underground facility operator or the
901	901	One-Call Notification System in order to document timely
902	902	compliance with this chapter. These records shall be retained
903	903	for a period of not less than three years and shall be made
904	904	available at a reasonable cost upon proper and adequate
905	905	advance request.
906	906	(h) The services of the One-Call Notification System
907	907	421
908	908	422
909	909	423
910	910	424
911	911	425
912	912	426
913	913	427
914	914	428
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922	922	436
923	923	437
924	924	438
925	925	439
926	926	440
927	927	441
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934	934	448 HB517 INTRODUCED
935	935	Page 17
936	936	(h) The services of the One-Call Notification System
937	937	should be provided on working days in accordance with the
938	938	established working day hours.
939	939	(i) The One-Call Notification System should voice
940	940	record the notification telephone calls , and after
941	941	hoursafter-hours calls should at least reach a voice recording
942	942	which explains emergency procedures.
943	943	(j) All members of the One-Call Notification System
944	944	shall provide the One-Call Notification System with the
945	945	following information:
946	946	(1) The notification area data in a format as required
947	947	by the current database system utilized by the One-Call
948	948	Notification System for the locations in which members have
949	949	underground facilities or for other reasons wish to receive
950	950	notifications of proposed excavations, demolitions, or
951	951	blasting. This information shall be updated at least once a
952	952	year.
953	953	(2) The name, address, and telephone number of a person
954	954	to receive emergency notifications.
955	955	(k) The One-Call Notification System shall promptly
956	956	transmit the information received from the excavator, as set
957	957	forth in Section 37-15-4, to its appropriate member operators.
958	958	(l) All members of the One-Call Notification System who
959	959	have changes, additions, or new installations of buried
960	960	facilities within the boundaries of the State of Alabama shall
961	961	notify the One-Call Notification System of changes in the
962	962	information required in subdivision (1) of subsection (j)(1),
963	963	within 30 days of the completion of such change, addition, or
964	964	new installation."
965	965	449
966	966	450
967	967	451
968	968	452
969	969	453
970	970	454
971	971	455
972	972	456
973	973	457
974	974	458
975	975	459
976	976	460
977	977	461
978	978	462
979	979	463
980	980	464
981	981	465
982	982	466
983	983	467
984	984	468
985	985	469
986	986	470
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989	989	473
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992	992	476 HB517 INTRODUCED
993	993	Page 18
994	994	new installation."
995	995	"§37-15-6
996	996	(a)(1) Each operator served with notice in accordance
997	997	with Section 37-15-4, with underground facilities in the area,
998	998	shall mark or cause to be marked or otherwise provide the
999	999	approximate location of the operator's underground facilities
1000	1000	by marking in a manner as prescribed herein prior to the
1001	1001	proposed start of excavation, demolition, or blasting. If any
1002	1002	underground facilities become damaged due to an operator
1003	1003	furnishing inaccurate information as to the approximate
1004	1004	location of the facilities, through no fault of the operator,
1005	1005	then the civil liabilities imposed by this chapter do not
1006	1006	apply.
1007	1007	(2) In lieu of such marking, the operator may request
1008	1008	to be present at the site upon commencement of the excavation,
1009	1009	demolition, or blasting.
1010	1010	(3) A member operator that states that it does not have
1011	1011	accurate information concerning the exact location of its
1012	1012	underground facilities is exempt from the requirements of this
1013	1013	section, but shall provide the best available information to
1014	1014	the person excavating in order to comply with the requirements
1015	1015	of this section. A person excavating is not liable for any
1016	1016	damage to an underground facility under the exemption in this
1017	1017	subdivision if the excavation or demolition is performed with
1018	1018	reasonable care as noted in Section 37-15-8 , and the excavator
1019	1019	uses detection equipment or other acceptable means to
1020	1020	determine the location of the underground facilities.
1021	1021	(4) When an excavator encounters an unmarked
1022	1022	underground facility on an excavation site where notice of
1023	1023	477
1024	1024	478
1025	1025	479
1026	1026	480
1027	1027	481
1028	1028	482
1029	1029	483
1030	1030	484
1031	1031	485
1032	1032	486
1033	1033	487
1034	1034	488
1035	1035	489
1036	1036	490
1037	1037	491
1038	1038	492
1039	1039	493
1040	1040	494
1041	1041	495
1042	1042	496
1043	1043	497
1044	1044	498
1045	1045	499
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1047	1047	501
1048	1048	502
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1050	1050	504 HB517 INTRODUCED
1051	1051	Page 19
1052	1052	underground facility on an excavation site where notice of
1053	1053	intent to excavate has been made in accordance with the
1054	1054	provisions of Section 37-15-4, and attempts a follow-up or
1055	1055	second notice relative to revising the original notice to the
1056	1056	One-Call Notification System or the operator, all operators
1057	1057	thus notified must attempt to contact the excavator within
1058	1058	four hours and provide a response relative to any of their
1059	1059	known underground facilities, active or abandoned, at the site
1060	1060	of the excavation.
1061	1061	(b) When marking the approximate location of
1062	1062	underground facilities, the operator shall follow the color
1063	1063	code designation in accordance with the latest edition of the
1064	1064	American Public Works Association Uniform Color Code.
1065	1065	(c) The color code designation referenced in this
1066	1066	section shall not be used by any operator or person to mark
1067	1067	the boundary or location of any excavation or demolition area.
1068	1068	If the excavator elects to mark the proposed excavation or
1069	1069	demolition site, the boundary or location shall be identified
1070	1070	using white as the identifying color or with natural color
1071	1071	wood stakes. White flags or white stakes may have a thin
1072	1072	stripe, one inch or less of the designated color code, to
1073	1073	indicate the excavator's proposed type of facility, if
1074	1074	applicable.
1075	1075	(d) Each operator, upon determining that no underground
1076	1076	facility is present on the tract or parcel of land or upon
1077	1077	completion of the marking of the location of any underground
1078	1078	facilities on the tract or parcel of land, shall provide a
1079	1079	positive response with information to the One-Call
1080	1080	Notification System in accordance with the procedures
1081	1081	505
1082	1082	506
1083	1083	507
1084	1084	508
1085	1085	509
1086	1086	510
1087	1087	511
1088	1088	512
1089	1089	513
1090	1090	514
1091	1091	515
1092	1092	516
1093	1093	517
1094	1094	518
1095	1095	519
1096	1096	520
1097	1097	521
1098	1098	522
1099	1099	523
1100	1100	524
1101	1101	525
1102	1102	526
1103	1103	527
1104	1104	528
1105	1105	529
1106	1106	530
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1108	1108	532 HB517 INTRODUCED
1109	1109	Page 20
1110	1110	Notification System in accordance with the procedures
1111	1111	developed by the One-Call Notification System.
1112	1112	(e) If all operators notified on the locate request
1113	1113	have submitted a positive response that indicates a closed or
1114	1114	completed response by the operator to the One-Call
1115	1115	Notification System prior to the proposed excavation date, the
1116	1116	excavator who made the request, upon verifying the closed or
1117	1117	completed status in the positive response system, may begin
1118	1118	work prior to the proposed date of excavation given, while
1119	1119	following all requirements of Section 37-15-8 or other
1120	1120	applicable portions of this chapter. The requirement for
1121	1121	providing a positive response shall become effective January
1122	1122	1, 2021.
1123	1123	(f) After the required notice of excavation is given
1124	1124	and the operator has designated the facility as complete or
1125	1125	cleared in the positive response system or has otherwise
1126	1126	responded in accordance with this section, if the excavator
1127	1127	observes or becomes aware of an unmarked underground facility
1128	1128	in the area of proposed excavation, the excavator shall not
1129	1129	begin excavating until an additional notice is made to the
1130	1130	One-Call Notification System. The excavator may begin after
1131	1131	the giving of the notice, but shall exercise reasonable care
1132	1132	to avoid the underground facility that was observed.
1133	1133	(f)(g) Any contract locator acting on behalf of an
1134	1134	operator is subject to this section."
1135	1135	"§37-15-8
1136	1136	In addition to the notification requirements of Section
1137	1137	37-15-4, each person responsible for an excavation or
1138	1138	demolition operation designated in Section 37-15-3, when
1139	1139	533
1140	1140	534
1141	1141	535
1142	1142	536
1143	1143	537
1144	1144	538
1145	1145	539
1146	1146	540
1147	1147	541
1148	1148	542
1149	1149	543
1150	1150	544
1151	1151	545
1152	1152	546
1153	1153	547
1154	1154	548
1155	1155	549
1156	1156	550
1157	1157	551
1158	1158	552
1159	1159	553
1160	1160	554
1161	1161	555
1162	1162	556
1163	1163	557
1164	1164	558
1165	1165	559
1166	1166	560 HB517 INTRODUCED
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1168	1168	demolition operation designated in Section 37-15-3, when
1169	1169	performing excavation or demolition within the tolerance zone,
1170	1170	shall do all of the following to avoid damage to or minimize
1171	1171	interference with the underground facilities:
1172	1172	(1) Determine the location of any marked underground
1173	1173	facility utilizing noninvasive methods of excavation. For
1174	1174	parallel type excavations, the existing facility shall be
1175	1175	exposed at intervals as often as necessary to avoid damages.
1176	1176	(2) Maintain a clearance of at least 18 inches between
1177	1177	any underground facility and the cutting edge or point of
1178	1178	mechanized equipment.
1179	1179	(3) When crossing the facility within the tolerance
1180	1180	zone, use reasonable care to ascertain the depth of the
1181	1181	underground utilities below the surface of the ground.
1182	1182	(3)(4) Provide such support for underground facilities
1183	1183	in and near a construction area, including backfill
1184	1184	operations, as may be reasonably required by the operator for
1185	1185	the protection of the utilities.
1186	1186	(4)(5) Protect and preserve the markings of approximate
1187	1187	locations of underground facilities until those markings are
1188	1188	no longer required for proper and safe excavation or
1189	1189	demolition."
1190	1190	"§37-15-9
1191	1191	(a) Each person responsible for any excavation or
1192	1192	demolition operation that results in any damage to an
1193	1193	underground facility, immediately upon discovery of such
1194	1194	damage, shall notify the operator of such facility of the
1195	1195	location of the damage or the One-Call Notification System
1196	1196	operating on behalf of the underground facility owner and
1197	1197	561
1198	1198	562
1199	1199	563
1200	1200	564
1201	1201	565
1202	1202	566
1203	1203	567
1204	1204	568
1205	1205	569
1206	1206	570
1207	1207	571
1208	1208	572
1209	1209	573
1210	1210	574
1211	1211	575
1212	1212	576
1213	1213	577
1214	1214	578
1215	1215	579
1216	1216	580
1217	1217	581
1218	1218	582
1219	1219	583
1220	1220	584
1221	1221	585
1222	1222	586
1223	1223	587
1224	1224	588 HB517 INTRODUCED
1225	1225	Page 22
1226	1226	operating on behalf of the underground facility owner and
1227	1227	shall allow the operator reasonable time to accomplish any
1228	1228	necessary repairs before completing the excavation or
1229	1229	demolition in the immediate area of the damage to such
1230	1230	facility.
1231	1231	(b) In addition to subsection (a), each person
1232	1232	responsible for any excavation or demolition shall immediately
1233	1233	report to the operator or the One-Call Notification System
1234	1234	operating on behalf of the underground facility owner and
1235	1235	appropriate law enforcement agencies and fire departments any
1236	1236	damage to an underground facility that results in escaping
1237	1237	flammable, corrosive, explosive, or toxic liquids or gas and
1238	1238	shall take reasonable actions necessary to protect persons or
1239	1239	property and to minimize safety hazards until those law
1240	1240	enforcement agencies and fire departments and the operator
1241	1241	arrive at the underground facility.
1242	1242	(c) If an event damages any pipe, cable, or its
1243	1243	protective covering, or other underground facility, or there
1244	1244	is a significant near miss that could have resulted in damage,
1245	1245	the operator receiving the notice shall file a report with the
1246	1246	One-Call Notification System. Reports must be submitted
1247	1247	annually to the system, no later than March 31 for the prior
1248	1248	calendar year by the deadline date established for the prior
1249	1249	year reporting, or more frequently at the option and sole
1250	1250	discretion of the operator. Each report must describe, if
1251	1251	known, the cause, nature, and location of the damage. The
1252	1252	One-Call Notification System shall establish and maintain a
1253	1253	process to facilitate submission of reports by operators or
1254	1254	persons excavating."
1255	1255	589
1256	1256	590
1257	1257	591
1258	1258	592
1259	1259	593
1260	1260	594
1261	1261	595
1262	1262	596
1263	1263	597
1264	1264	598
1265	1265	599
1266	1266	600
1267	1267	601
1268	1268	602
1269	1269	603
1270	1270	604
1271	1271	605
1272	1272	606
1273	1273	607
1274	1274	608
1275	1275	609
1276	1276	610
1277	1277	611
1278	1278	612
1279	1279	613
1280	1280	614
1281	1281	615
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1283	1283	Page 23
1284	1284	persons excavating."
1285	1285	"§37-15-10
1286	1286	(a) Any person who violates this chapter, or the rules
1287	1287	adopted under this chapter, shall be subject to a civil
1288	1288	penalty as follows:
1289	1289	(1) For a first violation, the violator shall complete
1290	1290	a course of training concerning compliance with this chapter
1291	1291	or pay a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed five hundred
1292	1292	dollars ($500) per incident, or both.
1293	1293	(2) For a second or subsequent violation within a
1294	1294	12-month period, the violator shall complete a course of
1295	1295	training concerning compliance with this chapter or pay a
1296	1296	civil penalty in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars
1297	1297	($1,000) per incident, or both.
1298	1298	(3) For a third or subsequent violation within a
1299	1299	12-month period, the violator shall complete a course of
1300	1300	training concerning compliance with this chapter and pay a
1301	1301	civil penalty in an amount not to exceed three thousand
1302	1302	dollars ($3,000) per incident.
1303	1303	(4) Notwithstanding this subsection, if any violation
1304	1304	was the result of gross negligence or willful noncompliance,
1305	1305	the violator shall be required to complete a course of
1306	1306	training concerning compliance with this chapter and pay a
1307	1307	civil penalty in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars
1308	1308	($10,000) per incident.
1309	1309	(b) Any person who is required to complete a course of
1310	1310	training under this section shall be responsible for paying
1311	1311	for the cost of the training. For those instances in which
1312	1312	training is ordered, if the person is a firm, partnership,
1313	1313	617
1314	1314	618
1315	1315	619
1316	1316	620
1317	1317	621
1318	1318	622
1319	1319	623
1320	1320	624
1321	1321	625
1322	1322	626
1323	1323	627
1324	1324	628
1325	1325	629
1326	1326	630
1327	1327	631
1328	1328	632
1329	1329	633
1330	1330	634
1331	1331	635
1332	1332	636
1333	1333	637
1334	1334	638
1335	1335	639
1336	1336	640
1337	1337	641
1338	1338	642
1339	1339	643
1340	1340	644 HB517 INTRODUCED
1341	1341	Page 24
1342	1342	training is ordered, if the person is a firm, partnership,
1343	1343	association, corporation, limited liability company, joint
1344	1344	venture, department, or subdivision of the state or other
1345	1345	governmental entity or any other body or organization, it may
1346	1346	be required that at least one manager or supervisor thereof
1347	1347	attend any training.
1348	1348	(c) The penalties provided under this section may be
1349	1349	subject to periodic review by the authority board and revised ,
1350	1350	by rule, as needed to ensure enforcement penalties are deemed
1351	1351	effective and are in compliance with federal law.
1352	1352	(d) The amount of such penalties shall be dependent
1353	1353	upon the degree of non-compliance, the amount of injury or
1354	1354	damage caused, the degree of threat to public safety, the
1355	1355	degree of public inconvenience caused as a result of the
1356	1356	violation, and the number of past violations. Mitigation of
1357	1357	the penalty may be shown by good faith efforts of the violator
1358	1358	to have complied with this chapter.
1359	1359	(e) The Underground Damage Prevention Fund is created
1360	1360	within the State Treasury, to be administered by the
1361	1361	authority. All penalties recovered in actions brought by the
1362	1362	authority under this chapter shall be paid into the
1363	1363	Underground Damage Prevention Fund. All sources of funds
1364	1364	collected by the authority under this chapter, including, but
1365	1365	not limited to, grants, assessments, and civil penalties,
1366	1366	shall be deposited into the fund. Any monies remaining in the
1367	1367	Underground Damage Prevention Fund fund at the end of the
1368	1368	fiscal year shall not revert to the State General Fund, but
1369	1369	shall remain in the Underground Damage Prevention Fund for the
1370	1370	exclusive use of the authority. The expenditures of monies in
1371	1371	645
1372	1372	646
1373	1373	647
1374	1374	648
1375	1375	649
1376	1376	650
1377	1377	651
1378	1378	652
1379	1379	653
1380	1380	654
1381	1381	655
1382	1382	656
1383	1383	657
1384	1384	658
1385	1385	659
1386	1386	660
1387	1387	661
1388	1388	662
1389	1389	663
1390	1390	664
1391	1391	665
1392	1392	666
1393	1393	667
1394	1394	668
1395	1395	669
1396	1396	670
1397	1397	671
1398	1398	672 HB517 INTRODUCED
1399	1399	Page 25
1400	1400	exclusive use of the authority. The expenditures of monies in
1401	1401	the Underground Damage Prevention Fund shall be at the
1402	1402	discretion of the authority board to carry out its duties
1403	1403	under this chapter. Excess funds shall be used for purposes
1404	1404	related to underground facility damage prevention, including,
1405	1405	but not limited to,support public awareness programs and
1406	1406	training and education of excavators, operators, locators, and
1407	1407	other persons to reduce the number and severity of violations
1408	1408	of this chapter.
1409	1409	(f) This chapter does not affect any civil remedies for
1410	1410	personal injury or property damage or criminal sanctions
1411	1411	except as otherwise specifically provided for in this chapter.
1412	1412	(g) Evidence of findings of fact, civil penalties, or
1413	1413	any of the actions or proceedings pursuant to this chapter
1414	1414	shall not be admissible in any other civil causes of actions
1415	1415	related to the excavation or damage for which the penalty or
1416	1416	fine was issued; however, these materials are discoverable in
1417	1417	civil actions arising from the facts herein. This chapter does
1418	1418	not limit any person's right to pursue any additional civil
1419	1419	remedy otherwise allowed by law.
1420	1420	(h) No civil penalty may be imposed pursuant to this
1421	1421	section against an excavator or operator who violates any
1422	1422	provision of this chapter if the violation occurred while the
1423	1423	excavator or operator was responding to an emergency.
1424	1424	Notwithstanding the foregoing, the civil penalty shall be
1425	1425	imposed if the violation was willful or malicious.
1426	1426	(i) This section shall not be construed to limit any
1427	1427	provision of law granting governmental immunity to state or
1428	1428	local entities or to impose any liability or duty of care not
1429	1429	673
1430	1430	674
1431	1431	675
1432	1432	676
1433	1433	677
1434	1434	678
1435	1435	679
1436	1436	680
1437	1437	681
1438	1438	682
1439	1439	683
1440	1440	684
1441	1441	685
1442	1442	686
1443	1443	687
1444	1444	688
1445	1445	689
1446	1446	690
1447	1447	691
1448	1448	692
1449	1449	693
1450	1450	694
1451	1451	695
1452	1452	696
1453	1453	697
1454	1454	698
1455	1455	699
1456	1456	700 HB517 INTRODUCED
1457	1457	Page 26
1458	1458	local entities or to impose any liability or duty of care not
1459	1459	otherwise imposed by law upon any state or local entity.
1460	1460	(j) Any person who willfully or maliciously removes or
1461	1461	otherwise destroys a marking used by an operator to mark the
1462	1462	location of any underground facility, except in the ordinary
1463	1463	course of excavation, is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.
1464	1464	(k) Any monies received by the Underground Damage
1465	1465	Prevention Authority prior to April 22, 2021, which were
1466	1466	directed to be paid into the Underground Damage Prevention
1467	1467	Fund, shall be deposited into the fund."
1468	1468	"§37-15-10.1
1469	1469	(a) The Underground Damage Prevention Authority is
1470	1470	created for the purpose of enforcing this chapter and for
1471	1471	reviewing penalty provisions and the adequacy of the
1472	1472	enforcement process. It is the intent of the Legislature that
1473	1473	the authority and its enforcement activities not be funded by
1474	1474	appropriations from the state budget.
1475	1475	(b) The authority shall may utilize the services of the
1476	1476	Alabama Public Service Commission to provide administrative
1477	1477	support for the authority, subject to the concurrence by the
1478	1478	authority board. The Alabama Public Service Commission shall
1479	1479	charge the expenses associated with the administrative duties
1480	1480	of the authority back to the authority, subject to the
1481	1481	concurrence of the authority board. The administrative support
1482	1482	provided by the Alabama Public Service Commission to the
1483	1483	authority is in an administrative capacity only and nothing in
1484	1484	this chapter shall expand the jurisdiction of the Alabama
1485	1485	Public Service Commission in any way.
1486	1486	(c) The authority shall be composed of a board of
1487	1487	701
1488	1488	702
1489	1489	703
1490	1490	704
1491	1491	705
1492	1492	706
1493	1493	707
1494	1494	708
1495	1495	709
1496	1496	710
1497	1497	711
1498	1498	712
1499	1499	713
1500	1500	714
1501	1501	715
1502	1502	716
1503	1503	717
1504	1504	718
1505	1505	719
1506	1506	720
1507	1507	721
1508	1508	722
1509	1509	723
1510	1510	724
1511	1511	725
1512	1512	726
1513	1513	727
1514	1514	728 HB517 INTRODUCED
1515	1515	Page 27
1516	1516	(c) The authority shall be composed of a board of
1517	1517	underground facility protection stakeholders. The board shall
1518	1518	be composed of one subject matter expert representative from
1519	1519	each of the following stakeholders and all board appointments
1520	1520	shall be made by March 31, 2020, as follows:
1521	1521	(1) Alabama Attorney General's Office.
1522	1522	(2) Alabama Public Service Commission - gas pipeline
1523	1523	safety.
1524	1524	(3) Alabama Department of Transportation.
1525	1525	(4) Alabama county engineers.
1526	1526	(5) Cable television industry.
1527	1527	(6) Electric utility industry.
1528	1528	(7) Municipal utility operator industry.
1529	1529	(8) Natural gas distribution industry.
1530	1530	(9) One-Call Notification System.
1531	1531	(10) Professional excavator industry.
1532	1532	(11) Professional road builder industry.
1533	1533	(12) Professional land surveyor industry.
1534	1534	(13) Telecommunications industry.
1535	1535	(14) Transmission pipeline industry.
1536	1536	(15) Utility facility locating industry.
1537	1537	(16) Water utility industry.
1538	1538	(17) Wastewater industry.
1539	1539	(d) The Governor shall appoint the stakeholder
1540	1540	representatives selected from qualified persons as provided in
1541	1541	subsection (c) with the exception of the stakeholder
1542	1542	representatives from the Alabama Attorney General's office,
1543	1543	the Alabama Public Service Commission - gas pipeline safety,
1544	1544	and the Alabama Department of Transportation, who shall be
1545	1545	729
1546	1546	730
1547	1547	731
1548	1548	732
1549	1549	733
1550	1550	734
1551	1551	735
1552	1552	736
1553	1553	737
1554	1554	738
1555	1555	739
1556	1556	740
1557	1557	741
1558	1558	742
1559	1559	743
1560	1560	744
1561	1561	745
1562	1562	746
1563	1563	747
1564	1564	748
1565	1565	749
1566	1566	750
1567	1567	751
1568	1568	752
1569	1569	753
1570	1570	754
1571	1571	755
1572	1572	756 HB517 INTRODUCED
1573	1573	Page 28
1574	1574	and the Alabama Department of Transportation, who shall be
1575	1575	appointed by the head of the respective agency. The initial
1576	1576	authority board shall be appointed with staggered terms as
1577	1577	determined by the Governor. After the initial appointment,
1578	1578	each stakeholder representative shall serve a term of three
1579	1579	years or until a replacement is appointed, whichever occurs
1580	1580	later. No person shall be appointed for more than two full
1581	1581	consecutive terms with the exception of the stakeholder
1582	1582	representatives from the Alabama Attorney General's office,
1583	1583	the Alabama Public Service Commission - gas pipeline safety,
1584	1584	the Alabama Department of Transportation, and the One-Call
1585	1585	Notification System.
1586	1586	(e) Membership of the authority board shall be
1587	1587	inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic,
1588	1588	urban/ruralurban, rural, and economic diversity of the state.
1589	1589	(f) The board shall elect an executive committee made
1590	1590	up of five representatives from the authority board as
1591	1591	provided in this section excluding those entities representing
1592	1592	a state agency, who will be responsible for levying civil
1593	1593	penalties and taking actions as described in Section 37-15-10,
1594	1594	this section, and Section 37-15-10.2.
1595	1595	(g) Members of the authority board and executive
1596	1596	committee may participate in a meeting of the board or
1597	1597	committee by means of telephone conference, video conference,
1598	1598	or similar communications equipment by means of which all
1599	1599	persons participating in the meeting may hear each other at
1600	1600	the same time and members of the public may simultaneously
1601	1601	listen to the meeting. Participation by such means shall
1602	1602	constitute presence in person at a meeting for all purposes.
1603	1603	757
1604	1604	758
1605	1605	759
1606	1606	760
1607	1607	761
1608	1608	762
1609	1609	763
1610	1610	764
1611	1611	765
1612	1612	766
1613	1613	767
1614	1614	768
1615	1615	769
1616	1616	770
1617	1617	771
1618	1618	772
1619	1619	773
1620	1620	774
1621	1621	775
1622	1622	776
1623	1623	777
1624	1624	778
1625	1625	779
1626	1626	780
1627	1627	781
1628	1628	782
1629	1629	783
1630	1630	784 HB517 INTRODUCED
1631	1631	Page 29
1632	1632	constitute presence in person at a meeting for all purposes.
1633	1633	(h) The board may do all of the following:
1634	1634	(1) Adopt rules to conduct the affairs of the
1635	1635	authority.
1636	1636	(2) Make and enter into contracts.
1637	1637	(3) Enter into an interagency agreement with the
1638	1638	Attorney General's office General to serve as legal counsel.
1639	1639	The Attorney General shall be compensated at a rate not to
1640	1640	exceed the normal hourly rate authorized by the Governor for
1641	1641	legal services contracts. The authority shall also reimburse
1642	1642	the Attorney General for any expenses incurred in providing
1643	1643	legal representation.
1644	1644	(4) Oversee the development of or contract for the
1645	1645	development and administration of the designated training
1646	1646	program.
1647	1647	(5) Evaluate and revise the enforcement program process
1648	1648	and penalty structure by adopting rules if the current
1649	1649	structure does not meet the purpose and intent of this chapter
1650	1650	or federal law.
1651	1651	(i) No member of the board, individually or jointly,
1652	1652	shall be civilly liable for acts within the scope of his or
1653	1653	her duties as a board member which are made in good faith and
1654	1654	are absent unreasonable, wanton, willful, intentional conduct ,
1655	1655	or a violation of federal law.
1656	1656	(j) The members of the board shall serve without
1657	1657	compensation.
1658	1658	(k) Nothing in this chapter shall grant the authority
1659	1659	jurisdiction over damage to utilities located above the
1660	1660	ground.
1661	1661	785
1662	1662	786
1663	1663	787
1664	1664	788
1665	1665	789
1666	1666	790
1667	1667	791
1668	1668	792
1669	1669	793
1670	1670	794
1671	1671	795
1672	1672	796
1673	1673	797
1674	1674	798
1675	1675	799
1676	1676	800
1677	1677	801
1678	1678	802
1679	1679	803
1680	1680	804
1681	1681	805
1682	1682	806
1683	1683	807
1684	1684	808
1685	1685	809
1686	1686	810
1687	1687	811
1688	1688	812 HB517 INTRODUCED
1689	1689	Page 30
1690	1690	ground.
1691	1691	(l) Board members shall not participate in any
1692	1692	enforcement action decisions pertaining to the entity they
1693	1693	represent."
1694	1694	"§37-15-10.2
1695	1695	(a) Any person who violates this chapter may be
1696	1696	reported to the authority for the alleged violation.
1697	1697	(b) The board shall develop and implement a process for
1698	1698	the receipt of a complaint of a violation of this chapter. The
1699	1699	complaint must be made no later than 30 days after the known
1700	1700	occurrence of the violation. A complaint may be filed as
1701	1701	information only and designated not to be pursued under the
1702	1702	enforcement provisions.
1703	1703	(c) Upon receipt of a complaint of a violation of this
1704	1704	chapter, the administrator, operating on behalf of the
1705	1705	authority, shall provide notice to the reported violator
1706	1706	advising that a complaint of violation has been made setting
1707	1707	out the time and place of the alleged violation, the identity
1708	1708	of who reported the violation, his or her right to file a
1709	1709	written response within 14 days, and his or her right to
1710	1710	appeal from an adverse decision.
1711	1711	(d) The administrator, acting on behalf of the
1712	1712	authority, shall submit the complaint and documentation to the
1713	1713	executive committee.
1714	1714	(e) The authority executive committee shall review the
1715	1715	complaint and any documentation regarding the complaint and
1716	1716	make any needed recommendation for penalty action.
1717	1717	(f) The administrator, operating on behalf of the
1718	1718	authority, shall notify the complainant and the reported
1719	1719	813
1720	1720	814
1721	1721	815
1722	1722	816
1723	1723	817
1724	1724	818
1725	1725	819
1726	1726	820
1727	1727	821
1728	1728	822
1729	1729	823
1730	1730	824
1731	1731	825
1732	1732	826
1733	1733	827
1734	1734	828
1735	1735	829
1736	1736	830
1737	1737	831
1738	1738	832
1739	1739	833
1740	1740	834
1741	1741	835
1742	1742	836
1743	1743	837
1744	1744	838
1745	1745	839
1746	1746	840 HB517 INTRODUCED
1747	1747	Page 31
1748	1748	authority, shall notify the complainant and the reported
1749	1749	violator of any penalty assessed.
1750	1750	(g) Once the reported violator is notified of the
1751	1751	designated penalty as described in Section 37-15-10, the
1752	1752	violator may pay the penalty to the Underground Damage
1753	1753	Prevention Fund or dispute the penalty and request a hearing
1754	1754	before the full authority board.
1755	1755	(h) The request for a hearing before the authority
1756	1756	board must be made within 30 days of the issuance of
1757	1757	notification of the violation.
1758	1758	(i) The full authority board shall meet no more than
1759	1759	quarterly, based on need. The hearings shall be held at the
1760	1760	place set forth in the notice of hearing. There shall be no
1761	1761	presumption of correctness attached to any finding of fact or
1762	1762	any assessment of a penalty that is appealed to the authority
1763	1763	board, and the proceedings and hearing before the authority
1764	1764	board shall be tried de novo. The complainant must and alleged
1765	1765	violator may request to attend the hearing.
1766	1766	(j) The authority board in the appeal process may do
1767	1767	all of the following:
1768	1768	(1) Repeal the initial penalty provisions cited for the
1769	1769	alleged violation of this chapter.
1770	1770	(2) Uphold the initial penalty provisions cited for the
1771	1771	alleged violation of this chapter.
1772	1772	(3) Issue a new penalty provision related to the
1773	1773	alleged violation of this chapter.
1774	1774	(4) Issue an order stating the outcome of the hearing ,
1775	1775	including any assigned penalty.
1776	1776	(k) A person aggrieved by the final order, within 30
1777	1777	841
1778	1778	842
1779	1779	843
1780	1780	844
1781	1781	845
1782	1782	846
1783	1783	847
1784	1784	848
1785	1785	849
1786	1786	850
1787	1787	851
1788	1788	852
1789	1789	853
1790	1790	854
1791	1791	855
1792	1792	856
1793	1793	857
1794	1794	858
1795	1795	859
1796	1796	860
1797	1797	861
1798	1798	862
1799	1799	863
1800	1800	864
1801	1801	865
1802	1802	866
1803	1803	867
1804	1804	868 HB517 INTRODUCED
1805	1805	Page 32
1806	1806	(k) A person aggrieved by the final order, within 30
1807	1807	days from the date of the final order, may seek judicial
1808	1808	review in the circuit court by filing a notice of appeal.
1809	1809	(l) All complaints filed pursuant to this chapter shall
1810	1810	not be subject to the Alabama Open Records Act. However, the
1811	1811	authority shall make available upon request a summary of a
1812	1812	complaint after a final resolution has been entered regarding
1813	1813	any such complaint requested along with any documents
1814	1814	associated with the final resolution of the complaint.
1815	1815	However, this restriction shall not prevent a party from
1816	1816	obtaining a copy of the complaint by means of a subpoena or
1817	1817	other method allowed by the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure
1818	1818	or the Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure. The Alabama Open
1819	1819	Meetings Act shall apply to all meetings and judicial hearings
1820	1820	required pursuant to this chapter, except for those meetings
1821	1821	of the authority in which the initial determination of
1822	1822	violation and recommended fine is discussed and determined.
1823	1823	(m) The authority may bring an action against any
1824	1824	person or entity to collect any fines, penalties, or other
1825	1825	monies owed to the authority.
1826	1826	(n) The authority shall be governed by the Alabama
1827	1827	Administrative Procedure Act."
1828	1828	Section 2. Section 37-15-4.2 is added to Chapter 15 of
1829	1829	Title 37, Code of Alabama 1975, to read as follows:
1830	1830	§37-15-4.2
1831	1831	(a) A person responsible for a demolition or
1832	1832	excavation project that qualifies as a complex or large
1833	1833	project shall provide underground facility operators with
1834	1834	notice of a planned complex or large project a minimum of five
1835	1835	869
1836	1836	870
1837	1837	871
1838	1838	872
1839	1839	873
1840	1840	874
1841	1841	875
1842	1842	876
1843	1843	877
1844	1844	878
1845	1845	879
1846	1846	880
1847	1847	881
1848	1848	882
1849	1849	883
1850	1850	884
1851	1851	885
1852	1852	886
1853	1853	887
1854	1854	888
1855	1855	889
1856	1856	890
1857	1857	891
1858	1858	892
1859	1859	893
1860	1860	894
1861	1861	895
1862	1862	896 HB517 INTRODUCED
1863	1863	Page 33
1864	1864	notice of a planned complex or large project a minimum of five
1865	1865	working days before the project commences. The notice shall
1866	1866	follow the guidelines established for complex or large
1867	1867	projects which shall include, but are not limited to, all of
1868	1868	the following:
1869	1869	(1) Notice of pre-excavation planning meeting, which
1870	1870	meeting shall be held not less than five working days before
1871	1871	the commencement of the complex or large project.
1872	1872	(2) Scope of project details and expected timelines for
1873	1873	the work to be concluded, including descriptions of phase, if
1874	1874	appropriate.
1875	1875	(3) Company representative contact information.
1876	1876	(4) Field contact representative contact information.
1877	1877	(5) List of known contractors and subcontractors.
1878	1878	(6) Use of premarking requirements at proposed
1879	1879	excavation sites.
1880	1880	(b) The excavator, operators, and locators involved in
1881	1881	the complex or large project shall negotiate in good faith to
1882	1882	reach a working agreement, which shall include, but not be
1883	1883	limited to, the agreed upon scope of work, timeline for
1884	1884	excavation activity, and location completion schedule.
1885	1885	(c) Once the working agreement is finalized, the locate
1886	1886	requests for utility markings shall be made in accordance with
1887	1887	the location completion schedule and in compliance with the
1888	1888	requirements of Section 37-15-4. The underground facility
1889	1889	owners shall mark the proposed excavation site in compliance
1890	1890	with the requirements of Section 37-15-6.
1891	1891	(d) An excavator's knowing failure to designate a
1892	1892	qualifying project as a complex or large project subject to
1893	1893	897
1894	1894	898
1895	1895	899
1896	1896	900
1897	1897	901
1898	1898	902
1899	1899	903
1900	1900	904
1901	1901	905
1902	1902	906
1903	1903	907
1904	1904	908
1905	1905	909
1906	1906	910
1907	1907	911
1908	1908	912
1909	1909	913
1910	1910	914
1911	1911	915
1912	1912	916
1913	1913	917
1914	1914	918
1915	1915	919
1916	1916	920
1917	1917	921
1918	1918	922
1919	1919	923
1920	1920	924 HB517 INTRODUCED
1921	1921	Page 34
1922	1922	qualifying project as a complex or large project subject to
1923	1923	this section and an excavator or operator's failure to comply
1924	1924	with a working agreement shall be subject to the enforcement
1925	1925	provisions of Section 37-15-10.
1926	1926	Section 3. This act shall become effective on January
1927	1927	1, 2026.
1928	1928	925
1929	1929	926
1930	1930	927
1931	1931	928
1932	1932	929