House Bill 235 - Summary

• Revises the definition of "emergency" to clarify it means any sudden or unforeseen condition requiring immediate action to prevent danger to life, health, property, an unplanned customer service outage, or blockage of roads or transportation facilities.

• Establishes provisions for emergency excavations that exempt them from standard notification time requirements when delay would cause imminent risk to life, health, or property, but requires notice in other emergency situations with underground facility owners responding within one (1) hour of contact and arriving within two (2) hours.

• Extends the validity period of marked underground facilities from three (3) weeks to four (4) consecutive weeks following notification, provided site conditions have not substantially changed.

• Provides compensatory rights for excavators facing delays when underground facility owners fail to locate facilities, capping compensation at actual costs or $2,000 whichever is less if locate information is provided within eight (8) hours.

• Declares an emergency and makes the act effective July 1, 2023.