Bill > H247

This bill updates North Carolina's Underground Utility Safety and Damage Prevention Act by making several key modifications to improve underground facility safety and excavation procedures. The bill expands definitions to include "soft dig technologies" (using air or water pressure for excavation) and clarifies the "tolerance zone" for utility markings. It updates facility operator responsibilities by requiring more precise marking of facilities, introducing shorter response times for emergency and additional locate requests, and allowing electronic written agreements. For excavators, the bill extends notice periods, changes the validity of locate requests from 15 to 28 calendar days, and provides more detailed requirements for working near pipeline systems, including using hand digging or potholing within the tolerance zone. The bill also establishes more specific rules for the Underground Damage Prevention Review Board, including quorum requirements, attendance policies, and a process for reviewing and penalizing violations. Additionally, it mandates that legal claims related to underground utility damage must be adjudicated in North Carolina courts in the county where the incident occurred. The changes aim to enhance safety, improve communication between utility operators and excavators, and create a more structured process for resolving potential underground utility damage incidents.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs, Justice, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H247