SB297 Summary

• Amends Arkansas Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act to add new definitions including "extraordinary circumstances" (natural disasters and cybersecurity events), "infrastructure project," and clarifies "mechanized equipment" excludes specialized equipment using pressurized water/air or vacuum systems.

• Increases civil penalties for underground facility damage violations: first violation requires mandatory training, second violation up to $5,000, third or more violations up to $10,000 per violation, with maximum of $50,000 within 12 months.

• Updates federal pipeline safety regulation reference date from February 2013 to January 2023 and increases maximum civil penalties for pipeline facility damage from $200,000 to $257,664 per violation and from $2,000,000 to $2,257,664 for related violations.

• Modifies notification requirements by clarifying One Call Center notification timeline starts "the working day after" notification received and specifies working days begin at 7:00 a.m. on business days.

• Declares an emergency to take effect immediately upon Governor approval to enhance public safety by preventing damage to underground facilities.