SB 1198 Summary

• Establishes civil penalties up to $100,000 for contractors who damage subsurface gas installations by failing to provide notice or commencing excavation before the gas corporation marks installations, with possible license suspension or revocation for repeat violators.

• Requires gas corporations to establish new service within 4 days, reconnect service within 3 days (24 hours after nonpayment disconnection), and respond to leak reports within commission-established timeframes for grade 3 leaks.

• Mandates gas corporations maintain an "adequately sized, qualified, and properly trained" workforce to meet service and leak response requirements, with costs recoverable in rates.

• Requires gas corporations to file leak reports twice yearly and develop, sponsor, and conduct formal training and apprenticeship programs for employees, with preference for recruiting military veterans and residents of disadvantaged communities.

• Directs the Public Utilities Commission to review and republish all gas corporation safety plans by June 30, 2021, and establishes requirements for leak reduction and repair within one year of discovery, consistent with California's greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.