MS HB880

Revises the definition of "excavate" to exclude routine road and railroad maintenance activities carried out within right-of-ways with reasonable care and within original excavation limits or not exceeding 12 inches below pavement.

Requires excavators to mark proposed excavation areas with white-colored stakes, flags, posts, or painted/chalked lines unless otherwise agreed by all affected operators.

Establishes a tiered civil penalty structure administered by the State Board of Contractors: warning letter for first offense, mandatory training for second offense ($500 penalty for non-compliance), $811.11 for third offense, and $8,811.11 for fourth or greater offenses within the same calendar year.

Creates an advisory committee appointed by the Mississippi Damage Prevention Council, Inc., consisting of representatives from 18 stakeholder groups to assist the State Board of Contractors in enforcing the chapter.

Establishes the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Special Fund to collect civil penalties and fund enforcement, public awareness programs, and training initiatives to reduce excavation violations.