HB2263 Summary: Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act

• Establishes a "positive response system" requiring underground utility facility owners/operators to respond through an automated system by the dig start date, with daily notifications sent for non-compliance beginning January 1, 2025.

• Creates new notification procedures including "planning design notification" for large projects (allowing pre-excavation information gathering) and "joint meet notification" (requiring meetings for complex projects exceeding 25 days or geographic boundaries).

• Requires excavators to provide detailed notice information including directional boring indication, excavation depth over 7 feet, pre-marking method, project owner identity, and latitude/longitude coordinates when available.

• Expands geographic information system (GIS) data requirements and mandates that non-conductive service laterals installed after December 31, 2024 be locatable by electromagnetic or equally effective means.

• Implements a "watch and protect" requirement allowing facility owners/operators to request authorized representatives be present during excavation near critical facilities, with provisions for excavators to proceed if owner waives presence or cannot comply with schedule.