SB 205 Alabama Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Underground Damage Prevention Program; One-Call Notification System, further provided for complex or large projects, sunset extended

SB 205 updates the definition of "excavation" to explicitly include activities like drilling, marine construction, pile-driving, and trenching before digging begins. This change directly affects contractors and utility companies working on complex projects involving underground utilities. The bill requires these parties to use the One-Call notification system before starting work that could damage buried infrastructure, ensuring safer construction practices. It does not create new obligations but clarifies which activities must follow existing notification rules.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Signed Mar 18, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 4 edits · Mar 18, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates the Underground Damage Prevention Program to better handle complex or large-scale excavation projects. The changes clarify definitions for 'complex projects' to include those requiring multiple crews or multiple locate requests, and they expand the definition of 'emergency excavation' to cover urgent repairs needed to restore service. These updates aim to ensure that utility lines are properly marked and protected during significant construction activities, reducing the risk of accidental damage.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of projects requiring special damage prevention protocols to include those with multiple work crews or multiple locate requests within a single day, in addition to projects extending beyond the standard notification period.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Complex or Large Project' now explicitly includes projects involving five or more concurrent work crews or multiple locate requests submitted within a single working day.

The definition of 'Emergency Excavation or Demolition' was expanded to include excavations required to repair or restore operator service before standard notification procedures can be used.

The definition of 'Excavate or Excavation' was refined to clarify that routine roadway and railroad maintenance activities are exempt from certain requirements, provided specific conditions are met.

A new explanatory clause was added to the 'Complex or Large Project' definition to clarify that it establishes the scope for projects exceeding typical time and resource requirements.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 783

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure)

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 470

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Allen motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 469

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Introduced

Transportation and Energy 1st Amendment Offered (Transportation and Energy)

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Introduced

Transportation and Energy 1st Amendment (Transportation and Energy)

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Transportation and Energy)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors