Improving safe excavation practices and preventing damage to underground utilities.

The definition of 'Emergency' was updated to require that a crew be 'on-site' rather than just 'en route' to address the emergency.

The definition of 'Marking' was changed to require indicating the 'best known width' of a facility instead of the 'specific type, width, and identification'.

The term 'Physical locates' was renamed to 'Physical exposure' to better describe the process of potholing or daylighting.

A new requirement mandates that general contractors must provide each excavator with an individual and unique confirmation code when submitting notices on their behalf.

The notice period for excavation was adjusted to allow a window of 2 to 10 business days before work begins, replacing a previous range.

Federal pipeline locating requirements were updated to reference specific sections (4 through 6) of Title 49 C.F.R. instead of section (5).

New provisions require design locating and a 30-day response review process for any development activity within 700 feet of a transmission pipeline.

The requirement for facility operators to use 'whiskers' to make markings understandable was removed.

New exemptions were added for facility operators using safe methods to physically expose unlocatable facilities and for irrigation district activities on federal reclamation projects.

The safety committee's complaint review process was changed to require sufficient evidence of a probable violation before appointing a review committee and to mandate sending all complaint materials to the alleged violator 30 days in advance.

The commission was granted authority to investigate and enforce violations relating to pipeline facilities without first referring the case to the safety committee.

The definition of 'emergency' was modified to explicitly include situations where a crew is en route to the site, ensuring immediate action is required even if the crew is not yet onsite.

New definitions were added for specific excavation techniques, including 'blind boring,' 'physical locates,' 'potholing,' and 'white lining' to clarify industry standards.

A new requirement mandates that when using directional boring, operators must supplement white lining with physical locates to avoid relying solely on surface markings.

The requirement for facility operators to provide design locating information was modified to prohibit charging fees to the Department of Transportation.

Liability provisions were modified to clarify that excavators are liable for all costs and penalties resulting from damage, even if the damage occurred due to a failure to follow the excavation notice.

Civil penalty provisions were modified to specifically target hazardous liquid and gas pipeline operators for failure to locate or mark facilities, distinguishing them from general excavator penalties.

The composition of the state safety committee was expanded to include a labor organization as a member.