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GA HB1372
Bill
Status
Passed
5/2/2022
Primary Sponsor
Vance Smith
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AI Summary
- Renames Chapter 9 of Title 25 from the "Georgia Utility Facility Protection Act" to the "Georgia Underground Facility Protection Act" and replaces references to "utility facilities" with "underground facilities" throughout, broadening the scope to include fiber, traffic control, and traffic management infrastructure
- Replaces the previous 48-hour notice requirement for excavation with an "appropriate notice" system tied to a specified "effective date," requiring facility owners to complete locating by 7:00 A.M. on the effective date, with a notice period of not less than two and not more than eight business days
- Requires excavators to make an emergency 9-1-1 call when they strike or damage an underground facility carrying gas (as defined in 49 C.F.R. Parts 192/193) or hazardous liquid (as defined in 49 C.F.R. Part 195)
- Establishes a 3-year statute of limitations on enforcement actions from the date a probable violation is reported to the Public Service Commission, limits damage recovery costs by excluding betterments, requires repair invoices be sent within 90 days, and requires the Department of Transportation to participate in the UPC beginning July 1, 2023
- Adds new provisions for extraordinary circumstances allowing the UPC to declare such circumstances on behalf of operators, establishes procedures for nonemergency excavation during declared extraordinary circumstances, and adds definitions for "white lining," "betterments," "effective date," and "notice period"; effective September 1, 2022
Legislative Description
Georgia Utility Facility Protection Act; revise provisions and short title
Last Action
Effective Date 2022-09-01
5/2/2022
Committee Referrals
Regulated Industries and Utilities3/11/2022
Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications2/17/2022
Full Bill Text
No bill text available