Connecticut Senate Bill SB00888

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/21/19
• Refer: 2/21/19

Caption

An Act Concerning Call Before You Dig Program Violations And Fines And The Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act.

Impact

This bill is expected to have substantial implications for how public utilities operate in compliance with existing regulations. By establishing clearer legal repercussions, SB00888 aims to promote diligence and accountability among utilities in marking and operating underground facilities. The enforcement of these regulations is anticipated to reduce incidents of miscommunication and accidents associated with underground utilities, thereby enhancing public safety.

Summary

SB00888 focuses on enhancing compliance within the public utilities sector by establishing more definitive penalties for violations related to underground utilities. The bill introduces civil penalties for public agencies or utilities found to be in violation of regulations concerning the timely and accurate marking of underground facilities. Specifically, it sets a cap of $40,000 for most violations, while stipulating a lower limit of $1,000 for infractions that do not result in any property damage or personal injury, provided that gross negligence is not involved.

Contention

Concerns have emerged regarding the implications of the civil penalties stipulated in SB00888. Industry stakeholders may view the financial penalties as disproportionate in certain cases, particularly for minor infractions. Consequently, there may be resistance from public utilities, which could argue that stringent penalties might hinder their operational flexibility. The dialogue surrounding the bill highlights the balance between enforcing regulatory compliance and ensuring that utilities can maintain effective service delivery without the looming threat of severe penalties for inadvertent errors.