House Bill 1216 Summary

• Amends Mississippi Code Chapter 77-13 to establish civil penalties up to $10,000 for persons who violate notification requirements and cause damage to pipeline facilities during excavation.

• Creates the Underground Pipeline Facilities Advisory Committee with seven members representing Mississippi 811, gas utilities, pipeline operators, excavators, and locating service providers to investigate violations and recommend penalties.

• Establishes the Pipeline Facilities Protection Account as a revolving fund to collect civil penalties and support public awareness, training, and education programs for excavators and pipeline operators.

• Requires excavators to notify Mississippi 811 of unmarked or illegible pipeline facility markings and imposes penalties on pipeline operators for failing to provide required facility location information or providing incorrect markings.

• Takes effect July 1, 2016.