MS SB2711

Excludes routine road and railroad maintenance activities from the definition of "excavation" under underground utility facility regulations, provided work is performed with reasonable care to protect underground facilities.

Increases the validity period for utility facility markings from 10 working days to 14 calendar days from the date the locate ticket is issued by Mississippi 811, Inc.

Designates the State Fire Marshal as the enforcement authority for underground utility damage prevention laws and establishes a tiered civil penalty structure: warning letter for first offense, training order for second offense, $811.11 for third offense, and $8,811.11 for fourth or greater offenses within the same calendar year.

Requires the State Fire Marshal to appoint an advisory committee on 811 Enforcement by September 1, 2014, consisting of representatives from telecommunications, electric, natural gas, railroad, excavation, and other utility-related industries and organizations.

Creates the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Special Fund as a revolving fund to receive civil penalties and support public awareness, training, and education programs to reduce violations.