PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 3097, 3235 PRINTER'S NO. 3323
No. 2223 Session of 2005
INTRODUCED BY SEMMEL, TIGUE, BASTIAN, SOLOBAY, ARMSTRONG, BALDWIN, BEBKO-JONES, BOYD, CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI, CAWLEY, CRAHALLA, CREIGHTON, DeLUCA, DENLINGER, DeWEESE, FRANKEL, FREEMAN, GEIST, GEORGE, GINGRICH, GRUCELA, HALUSKA, HARHAI, HARPER, HARRIS, HENNESSEY, HERMAN, HERSHEY, HESS, MARKOSEK, MARSICO, R. MILLER, MUSTIO, NAILOR, O'NEILL, PAYNE, PHILLIPS, RAPP, REICHLEY, RUBLEY, SAINATO, SATHER, SAYLOR, B. SMITH, R. STEVENSON, E. Z. TAYLOR, THOMAS, YOUNGBLOOD, ZUG, SIPTROTH AND PRESTON, NOVEMBER 14, 2005
AS AMENDED ON THIRD CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DECEMBER 14, 2005
AN ACT 1 Amending the act of December 10, 1974 (P.L.852, No.287), <-- 2 entitled "An act to protect the public health and safety by 3 preventing excavation or demolition work from damaging 4 underground lines used in providing electricity, 5 communication, gas, oil delivery, oil product delivery, 6 sewage, water or other service; imposing duties upon the 7 providers of such service, recorders of deeds, and persons 8 and other entities preparing drawings or performing 9 excavation or demolition work; and prescribing penalties," 10 further providing for the title of the act, for definitions, 11 for duties of facility owners and for the duties of the One 12 Call System; providing for liability, fees and governance of 13 the One Call System; further providing for applicability; 14 providing for the duties of project owners and for rights of 15 the Auditor General; further providing for the governing 16 board of the One Call System, for fines and penalties and for 17 applicability to certain pipeline systems and facilities; 18 providing for a voluntary dispute resolution process, for 19 best efforts and for removal or tampering with a marking; 20 further providing for expiration; and repealing provisions of 21 the act of June 19, 2002 (P.L.421, No.61), known as the 22 Propane and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act, concerning the 23 prohibition of certain liquefied petroleum gas facilities or 24 distributors from being subject to the Underground Utility 25 Line Protection Law. 26 AMENDING THE ACT OF DECEMBER 10, 1974 (P.L.852, NO.287), <--
1 ENTITLED "AN ACT TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY BY 2 PREVENTING EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK FROM DAMAGING 3 UNDERGROUND LINES USED IN PROVIDING ELECTRICITY, 4 COMMUNICATION, GAS, OIL DELIVERY, OIL PRODUCT DELIVERY, 5 SEWAGE, WATER OR OTHER SERVICE; IMPOSING DUTIES UPON THE 6 PROVIDERS OF SUCH SERVICE, RECORDERS OF DEEDS, AND PERSONS 7 AND OTHER ENTITIES PREPARING DRAWINGS OR PERFORMING 8 EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK; AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES," 9 FURTHER PROVIDING FOR THE TITLE OF THE ACT, FOR DEFINITIONS, 10 FOR DUTIES OF FACILITY OWNERS AND FOR THE DUTIES OF THE ONE 11 CALL SYSTEM; PROVIDING FOR LIABILITY, FEES AND GOVERNANCE OF 12 THE ONE CALL SYSTEM; FURTHER PROVIDING FOR APPLICABILITY; 13 PROVIDING FOR THE DUTIES OF PROJECT OWNERS AND FOR RIGHTS OF 14 THE AUDITOR GENERAL; FURTHER PROVIDING FOR THE GOVERNING 15 BOARD OF THE ONE CALL SYSTEM, FOR FINES AND PENALTIES AND FOR 16 APPLICABILITY TO CERTAIN PIPELINE SYSTEMS AND FACILITIES; 17 PROVIDING FOR A VOLUNTARY DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS, FOR 18 BEST EFFORTS AND FOR REMOVAL OR TAMPERING WITH A MARKING; 19 FURTHER PROVIDING FOR EXPIRATION; AND REPEALING PROVISIONS OF 20 THE ACT OF JUNE 19, 2002 (P.L.421, NO.61), KNOWN AS THE 21 PROPANE AND LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS ACT, CONCERNING THE 22 PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS FACILITIES OR 23 DISTRIBUTORS FROM BEING SUBJECT TO THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY 24 LINE PROTECTION LAW. 25 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 26 hereby enacts as follows: 27 Section 1. The title of the act of December 10, 1974 <-- 28 (P.L.852, No.287), referred to as the Underground Utility Line 29 Protection Law, is amended to read: 30 AN ACT 31 To protect the public health and safety by preventing excavation 32 or demolition work from damaging underground lines used in 33 providing electricity, communication, gas, propane, oil 34 delivery, oil product delivery, sewage, water or other 35 service; imposing duties upon the providers of such service, 36 recorders of deeds, and persons and other entities preparing 37 drawings or performing excavation or demolition work; and 38 prescribing penalties. 39 Section 2. Section 1 of the act, amended November 30, 2004 40 (P.L.1567, No.199), is amended to read: 41 Section 1. As used in this act: 20050H2223B3323 - 2 -
1 "Abandoned" means no longer in service and physically 2 disconnected from a line. 3 "Business day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or 4 legal holiday prescribed by statute. A business day begins at 5 12:00:00 a.m. and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. 6 "Cartway" means that portion of a street which is improved by 7 surfacing with permanent or semipermanent material and is 8 intended for vehicular traffic. 9 "Common Ground Alliance best practices" means the damage 10 prevention industry recommended standards issued by the Common 11 Ground Alliance, a not-for-profit corporation created pursuant 12 to the issuance of the United States Department of 13 Transportation's Common Ground Task Force report in 1999. 14 "Complex project" means an excavation that involves more work 15 than properly can be described in a single locate request or any 16 project designated as such by the excavator as a consequence of 17 its complexity or its potential to cause significant disruption 18 to lines or facilities and the public, including excavations 19 that require scheduling locates over an extended time frame. 20 "Consumer Price Index" means the index of consumer prices 21 developed and updated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the 22 United States Department of Labor. 23 ["Contractor" means any person who or which performs 24 excavation or demolition work for himself or for another 25 person.] 26 "Continuing property records" means a record required 27 pursuant to 66 Pa.C.S. § 1702 (relating to continuing property 28 records). 29 "Culvert" means a sewer or drain crossing a road or 30 embankment, a part of a road or embankment that passes over a 20050H2223B3323 - 3 -
1 sewer or drain or the channel or conduit for a sewer or drain. 2 "Demolition work" means the partial or complete destruction 3 of a structure, by any means, served by or adjacent to a line or 4 lines. 5 "Department" means the Department of Labor and Industry of 6 the Commonwealth. 7 "Designer" means any architect, engineer or other person who 8 or which prepares a drawing for a construction or other project 9 which requires excavation or demolition work as herein defined. 10 "Emergency" means a sudden or unforeseen occurrence involving 11 a clear and immediate danger to life [or], property and the 12 environment, including, but not limited to, serious breaks or 13 defects in a facility owner's lines. 14 "Excavation work" means the use of powered equipment or 15 explosives in the movement of earth, rock or other material, and 16 includes but is not limited to anchoring, augering, backfilling, 17 blasting, boring, digging, ditching, drilling, driving-in, 18 grading, plowing-in, pulling-in, ripping, scraping, trenching 19 and tunneling, but does not include soft excavation technology 20 such as vacuum, high pressure air or water, tilling of soil for 21 agricultural purposes to a depth of less than eighteen inches, 22 the direct operations necessary or incidental to the purposes of 23 finding or extracting natural resources[,] or the Department of 24 Transportation and political subdivisions performing minor 25 routine maintenance up to a depth of [less than eighteen] twelve 26 inches within the [right-of-way of] cartway of public roads or 27 [employes of the Department of Transportation performing within 28 the scope of their employment work up to a depth of twenty-four 29 inches beneath the existing surface within the right-of-way of a 30 State highway.] within six inches of the remaining right-of-way 20050H2223B3323 - 4 -
1 of public roads. 2 "Excavator" means any person who or which performs excavation 3 or demolition work for himself or for another person. 4 "Facility owner" means the public utility or agency, 5 political subdivision, municipality, authority, rural electric 6 cooperative or other person or entity who or which owns or 7 operates a line. [The term does not include the Department of 8 Transportation within a State highway right-of-way.] 9 "Final design" means the engineering and construction 10 drawings that are provided to a bidder or other person who is 11 asked to initiate construction on the bid date or the date the 12 project is set for construction in the absence of a bid. 13 "Horizontal directional drilling" means the use of horizontal 14 boring devices that can be guided between a launch point and a 15 reception point beneath the earth's surface. 16 "Line" or "facility" means an underground conductor or 17 underground pipe or structure used in providing electric or 18 communication service, or an underground pipe used in carrying, 19 gathering, transporting or providing natural petroleum or 20 artificial gas, propane, oil or [oil] petroleum and production 21 product, sewage, water or other service to one or more 22 transportation carriers, consumers or customers of such service 23 and the appurtenances thereto, regardless of whether such line 24 or structure is located on land owned by a person or public 25 agency or whether it is located within an easement or right-of- 26 way. The term includes storm drainage [and traffic loops.], 27 traffic control loops and pipes or structures that transport or 28 store hazardous waste or hazardous materials as defined by a 29 Federal or State statute, regardless of whether the pipes or 30 structures provide service to transportation carriers, customers 20050H2223B3323 - 5 -
1 or consumers. 2 "Locate request" means a communication between an excavator 3 or designer and the One Call System in which a request for 4 locating facilities is processed. 5 "Minor routine maintenance" means shaping of or adding dust 6 palliative to unpaved roads, removal and application of patches 7 to the surface or base of flexible base, rigid base or rigid 8 surface roads by either manual or mechanized method to the 9 extent of the existing exposed base material, crack and joint 10 sealing, adding dust palliative to road shoulders, patching of 11 shoulders and shoulder bases by either manual or mechanized 12 methods to the extent of the existing exposed base, and cleaning 13 of inlets and drainage pipes and ditches. 14 "One Call System" means [a] the communication system 15 established within this Commonwealth to provide a single 16 nationwide toll-free telephone number for [contractors] 17 excavators or designers or any other person covered by this act 18 to call facility owners and notify them of their intent to 19 perform excavation, demolition or similar work as defined by 20 this act. [A] The One Call System shall be incorporated and 21 operated as a nonprofit corporation pursuant to 15 Pa.C.S. Pt. 22 II Subpt. C (relating to nonprofit corporations). 23 "Operator" means any individual in physical control of 24 powered equipment or explosives when being used to perform 25 excavation or demolition work. 26 ["Owner" means any person who or which engages a contractor 27 for construction or any other project which requires excavation 28 or demolition work as herein defined.] 29 "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, 30 political subdivision, a municipal authority, the Commonwealth 20050H2223B3323 - 6 -
1 and its agencies and instrumentalities, or any other entity. 2 "Powered equipment" means any equipment energized by an 3 engine or motor and used in excavation or demolition work. 4 "Project owner" means any person who or which engages an 5 excavator for construction or any other project which requires 6 excavation or demolition work. 7 "Secretary" means the Secretary of Labor and Industry of the 8 Commonwealth. 9 "Site" means the specific place denoted on the locate request 10 where excavation or demolition work is being or is planned to be 11 performed. A site should be denoted as a clearly defined, 12 bounded area, including relevant identifiable points of 13 reference such as the specific address with a specific 14 description as to the portion of the property, including 15 descriptions such as front, back, left side, right side and 16 direction such as N, S, E, W or variants. Where possible, the 17 points should also reference, without limitation, the size and 18 radius or circumference of the excavation, utility pad or 19 pedestal numbers, utility pole numbers, landmarks, including 20 trees, fountains, fences, railroads, highway and pipeline 21 markers, and latitude and longitude. 22 "Subsurface Utility Engineering" or "(SUE)" means those 23 techniques set forth in the American Society of Civil Engineers 24 (ASCE) standard CI/ASCE 38-02, or its successor document as 25 determined by the One Call System. 26 "Traffic loop" means a device that detects metal object such 27 as cars and bicycles based on the change in inductance that they 28 induce in the device. 29 "Tolerance zone" means the horizontal space within eighteen 30 inches of the outside wall or edge of a line or facility. 20050H2223B3323 - 7 -
1 ["Working day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or 2 legal holiday prescribed by act of the General Assembly.] 3 Section 3. Sections 2 and 3 of the act, amended November 30, 4 2004 (P.L.1567, No.199), are amended to read: 5 Section 2. It shall be the duty of each facility owner: 6 (1) To be a member of and give written notice to [a] the One 7 Call System. Such notice shall be in a form acceptable to [a] 8 the One Call System and include: 9 (i) the legal name of the facility owner[;] and their 10 official mailing address; 11 (ii) the names of the counties and municipalities, down to 12 and including wards in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and 13 Erie, in which its lines are located and other related 14 information as may be required by the One Call System regarding 15 the location of a member's facilities; 16 (iii) the facility owner's address (by street, number and 17 political subdivision), and the telephone number and fax number, 18 if available, to which inquiries may be directed as to the 19 location of such lines; [and] 20 (iv) [at the option of any facility owner,] the street 21 identifications[, within or outside of the municipality] or like 22 information within each of the municipalities in which its lines 23 are located. This information shall be in a form acceptable to 24 [a] the One Call System. [and shall include the names of streets 25 bounding, crossing or adjacent to the facility owner's lines.] 26 Upon [receipt of a signed street identification list] acceptance 27 of the information from a facility owner, [a] the One Call 28 System shall provide the facility owner with notification within 29 the boundaries described [in the street identification list]. 30 All facility owners [which opt for this service] shall agree to 20050H2223B3323 - 8 -
1 indemnify and hold harmless [a] the One Call System for any 2 street identity errors and omissions on the part of the facility 3 owner or the [contractor] excavator or designer providing 4 [street identifications.] the information as the agent of the 5 facility owner; and 6 (v) any other information required by the One Call System. 7 (2) [To give to a One Call System like written notice within 8 five working days after any of the matters stated in the last 9 previous notice shall have changed.] To provide the One Call 10 System, within five business days, with any revised information 11 required under this section. 12 (4) Not more than ten [working] business days after receipt 13 of a request [therefor] from a designer who identifies the site 14 of excavation or demolition work for which he is preparing a 15 drawing, to initially respond to his request for information as 16 to the position and type of the facility owner's lines at such 17 site based on the information currently in the facility owner's 18 possession[.] or to mark the plans which have been provided to 19 it by the designer by field location or by another method agreed 20 to by the designer, excavator and facility owner, or their 21 agent. The facility owner shall so advise the person making the 22 request of the facility owner's status at the site through [a] 23 the One Call System. 24 (5) [Not more than two working days after] After receipt of 25 a timely request [therefor] from [a contractor] an excavator or 26 operator who identifies the site of excavation or demolition 27 work he intends to perform[:] and not later than the business 28 day prior to the scheduled date of excavation: 29 (i) To mark, stake, locate or otherwise provide the position 30 of the facility owner's underground lines at the site within 20050H2223B3323 - 9 -
1 eighteen inches horizontally from the outside wall of such line 2 in a manner so as to enable the [contractor] excavator, where 3 appropriate, to employ prudent techniques, which may include 4 hand-dug test holes, to determine the precise position of the 5 underground facility owner's lines. This shall be done to the 6 extent such information is available in the facility owner's 7 records or by use of standard locating techniques other than 8 excavation. In the excavation phase, facility owners shall make 9 reasonable efforts to locate or notify excavators of the 10 existence and type of abandoned lines that remain on their 11 continuing property records. 12 (i.1) [A] To, where contained on its continuing property 13 records, [facility owner may] identify the location of [a known 14 facility connected] an actually known facility's point of 15 connection to its facilities, [but] where the point of 16 connection is not owned or operated by the facility owner[, as a 17 helpful guide to the excavator or owner]. The identification 18 shall not be deemed to impose any liability upon the facility 19 owner for the accuracy of the [private facility] other 20 facility's identification. 21 (ii) [A facility owner,] To, at its option, [may] timely 22 elect to excavate around its facilities in fulfillment of this 23 subparagraph. 24 (iii) To propose mutually agreeable scheduling by which the 25 excavator, facility owner or designer may locate the facilities. 26 (v) To respond to all notices through [a] the One Call 27 System, provided the request is made in the time frame set forth 28 under this act. The response shall be made not later than the 29 end of the second business day following receipt of the 30 notification by the One Call System, excluding the business day 20050H2223B3323 - 10 -
1 upon which the notification is received, or not later than the 2 day prior to the scheduled date of excavation, if the excavator 3 specifies a later date. In the case of an emergency, to respond 4 through the One Call System as soon as practicable following 5 receipt of notification of the emergency by the One Call System. 6 (vi) In marking the approximate position of underground 7 lines or facilities, the facility owner shall follow [American 8 Public Works Association and Utility Locating and Coordination 9 Council Temporary Marking Standards.] the Common Ground Alliance 10 Best Practices for Temporary Marking set forth in ANSI standard 11 7535.1. Should the American Public Works Association [and 12 Utility Locating and Coordination Council Temporary Marking 13 Standards] be amended, the amended [standards] guidelines shall 14 be applied and followed. If the American Public Works 15 Association no longer publishes guidelines for temporary 16 markings or if the responsibility for publishing the guidelines 17 is transferred to or assumed by another entity, the facility 18 owner shall follow the guidelines published by the other entity, 19 as approved by the One Call System's board of directors. 20 (vii) To respond to [emergencies] emergency notifications as 21 soon as [practical] practicable following receipt of 22 notification of such emergency. The response by the facility 23 owner shall be consistent with the nature of the emergency 24 information received by the facility owner. 25 (viii) To participate in preconstruction meetings for a 26 complex project or as described in clause (3) of section 5. 27 [(8) Operation costs for a One Call System shall be shared, 28 in an equitable manner for services received, by facility owner 29 members as determined by a One Call System's board of directors. 30 Political subdivisions with a population of less than two 20050H2223B3323 - 11 -
1 thousand persons or municipal authorities having an aggregate 2 population in the area served by the municipal authority of less 3 than five thousand persons shall be exempt from payment of any 4 service fee.] 5 (9) If a facility owner fails to become a member of [a] the 6 One Call System in violation of this act and a line or lines of 7 such nonmember facility owner are damaged by [a contractor] an 8 excavator by reason of the [contractor's] excavator's failure to 9 notify the facility owner because the facility owner was not a 10 member of [a] the One Call System serving the location where the 11 damage occurred, such facility owner shall have no right of 12 recovery from the [contractor] excavator of any costs associated 13 with the damage to its lines. The right herein granted shall not 14 be in limitation of any other rights of the [contractor] 15 excavator. 16 (10) To submit an incident report to the department not more 17 than ten [working] business days after receipt of notice that 18 the facility owner's lines have been damaged by excavation or 19 demolition activities that resulted in personal injury or in 20 property damage to parties other than the affected excavator or 21 facility owner. In addition, the incident report may likewise be 22 furnished to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and the 23 Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency pursuant to memoranda 24 of understanding negotiated between these agencies and the 25 department[.], which shall, at a minimum, provide for a common 26 reporting format for incident reports. The department shall 27 furnish to [a] the One Call System, upon reasonable request, 28 statistical data pertaining to the number of incident reports 29 filed with the department and the type, number and results of 30 investigations for violations of this act. 20050H2223B3323 - 12 -
1 (11) To comply with all requests for information by the 2 department relating to the department's enforcement authority 3 under this act within thirty days of the receipt of the request. 4 Section 3. It shall be the duty of [a] the One Call System 5 to do the following: 6 (1.1) To assign [a serial number and] one or more serial 7 numbers and the date that the site may legally be excavated and 8 to log the entire voice transaction on logging recorders in 9 appropriate digital form and maintain these logs for five years. 10 All records shall be indexed and available to the parties 11 involved at a reasonable cost and at reasonable times set by [a] 12 the One Call System. 13 (1.2) Perform the obligations, as set forth under this 14 section, on behalf of the facility owner, [contractor] excavator 15 or designer as established by the board of directors of [a] the 16 One Call System. 17 (1.3) Provide access to municipal lists provided to [a] the 18 One Call System for those interested parties. This list shall 19 contain facility owners having lines in the municipality, 20 including wards as indicated in subclause (ii) of clause (1) of 21 section 2, and to maintain, for each municipality, a list 22 containing the information as required to be submitted by the 23 facility owner. Such list shall be updated as revised 24 information is received from the facility owner within five 25 [working] business days. 26 (2) To make such lists under clause (1.3) available for 27 public inspection via the county recorder of deeds without 28 charge. A maximum copy fee of no more than twenty-five dollars 29 ($25) may be charged per county list. Each facility owner change 30 shall be forwarded, at no charge, to the respective county 20050H2223B3323 - 13 -
1 recorder of deeds for public access. The recorder of deeds shall 2 make such list available for public inspection[.] based on the 3 most current information provided to it by the One Call System. 4 (3) Not more than ten [working] business days after the 5 receipt of a clear and specific request from the department, to 6 provide access to or photocopies of specific One Call System 7 response records, tickets or other like information relating to 8 matters under investigation by the department pursuant to its 9 enforcement authority under this act. 10 (4) To determine the maximum geographic area that shall 11 constitute a valid single notification and to determine when 12 multiple notifications shall be required of any person, 13 including the method, the type and the number of notifications 14 in a complex project. 15 (5) If approved by the board of directors of the One Call 16 System, to offer a service for application and issuance of State 17 or municipal permits required to undertake activities relating 18 to excavation work. 19 (6) Pursuant to policies adopted by the One Call System's 20 board of directors, to provide a secure repository for and 21 access to subsurface utility engineering data received from 22 project owners to affected facility owner members. 23 Section 4. The act is amended by adding a section to read: 24 Section 3.1. (a) The duties of the One Call System are 25 those duties as set forth in section 3. Duties assigned to other 26 parties in other sections of this act shall be the duties of 27 those parties and shall not be imputed to the One Call System, 28 including the duty to provide accurate information to the One 29 Call System concerning proposed excavation and the duty to 30 locate facilities at a site. 20050H2223B3323 - 14 -
1 (b) The One Call System shall not be liable for damages to 2 the person or the person's property arising out of its 3 nonnegligent actions in furtherance of the duties imposed under 4 this act and shall be liable only if the failure to comply was 5 the proximate cause of any damages claimed. 6 (c) Prior to any action instituted in a court of this 7 Commonwealth naming or joining the One Call System as a party, 8 the court shall conduct a hearing to determine whether the One 9 Call System may be named or joined in the action for failure to 10 comply with this act. 11 (d) The One Call System shall be governed by a board of 12 directors, to be chosen by the facility owners. No less than 13 twenty percent of the seats on the board shall be held by 14 municipalities or municipal authorities. The board shall include 15 all of the following: 16 (1) The Chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility 17 Commission or his designee. 18 (2) The Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management 19 Agency or his designee. 20 (3) The Secretary of Labor and Industry or his designee. 21 (4) The Secretary of Transportation or his designee. 22 (5) An excavator or excavation industry representative. 23 (6) A designer or designer industry representative. 24 (e) Operation costs for the One Call System shall be shared, 25 in an equitable manner for services received, by facility owner 26 members as determined by the One Call System's board of 27 directors. Political subdivisions with a population of less than 28 two thousand people or municipal authorities having an aggregate 29 population in the area served by the municipal authority of less 30 than five thousand people shall be exempt from the payment of 20050H2223B3323 - 15 -
1 any service fee. The One Call System may be reimbursed for its 2 costs in providing this service from the contractor fees. 3 (f) All fees shall be set by the board of directors and 4 shall be based on the latest annual audited cost factors of the 5 One Call System. Fees shall be set and adjusted to a rate not 6 more than five percent above the audited cost factor plus the 7 current average published Consumer Price Index for Pennsylvania. 8 Costs of capital improvements may be added, if the improvement 9 receives a majority vote of the board of directors. 10 (g) An excavator, designer or operator who proposes to 11 commence excavation or demolition work and requests information 12 of the One Call System shall be charged a fee for the service 13 received from the One Call System. The fee shall be used to 14 offset the operation cost levied on the political subdivision 15 and municipal authority members in lieu of additional fees 16 charged for locations under this act. 17 (h) Any request for information shall be reviewed and 18 provided as determined in accordance with the procedure 19 established by the One Call System's board of directors. 20 Section 5. Section 4 of the act, amended December 19, 1996 21 (P.L.1460, No.187), is amended to read: 22 Section 4. It shall be the duty of each designer preparing a 23 drawing [requiring] which requires excavation or demolition work 24 within the Commonwealth: 25 (2) To request the line and facility information prescribed 26 by section 2, clause (4) from [a] the One Call System not less 27 than ten nor more than ninety [working] business days before 28 final design is to be completed. This clause is not intended to 29 prohibit designers from obtaining such information more than 30 ninety days before final design is to be completed; however, 20050H2223B3323 - 16 -
1 they shall state in their requirements that such work is 2 preliminary. 3 (2.1) To forward a copy of the project plans to each 4 facility owner who requests a copy. If a designer is unable to 5 provide a copy because of security of the project or proprietary 6 concerns regarding the design or the project, the designer shall 7 negotiate in a timely manner with the facility owner the means 8 of obtaining the necessary data. 9 (3) To show upon the drawing the position and type of each 10 facility owner's line, derived pursuant to the request made as 11 required by clause (2), and the name of the facility owner[, and 12 the facility owner's designated office address and the telephone 13 number] as shown on the list referred to in section 3. 14 (4) To make a reasonable effort to prepare the construction 15 drawings to avoid damage to and minimize interference with a 16 facility owner's facilities in the construction area by 17 maintaining the clearance as provided for in the applicable 18 easement condition or an eighteen-inch clearance of the facility 19 owner's facilities if no easement restriction exists. 20 (5) A designer shall be deemed to have met the obligations 21 of clause (2) if he calls [a] the One Call System and shows as 22 proof the serial number of one call notice on drawings. The 23 designer shall also show the toll-free number of [a] the One 24 Call System on the drawing near his serial number. 25 (6) If, after receiving information from the facility 26 owners, the designer decides to change the site of a proposed 27 excavation, the obligations imposed by this section shall apply 28 to the new site. 29 (7) The designer who has complied with the terms of this act 30 and who was not otherwise negligent shall not be subject to 20050H2223B3323 - 17 -
1 liability or incur any obligation to facility owners, operators, 2 owners or other persons who sustain injury to person or property 3 as a result of the excavation or demolition planning work of the 4 designer. 5 Section 6. Section 5 of the act, amended November 30, 2004 6 (P.L.1567, No.199), is amended to read: 7 Section 5. It shall be the duty of each [contractor] 8 excavator who intends to perform excavation or demolition work 9 within this Commonwealth: 10 (2.1) To request the location and type of facility owner 11 lines at each site by notifying the facility owner through [a] 12 the One Call System. Notification shall be not less than three 13 nor more than ten [working] business days in advance of 14 beginning excavation or demolition work. No work shall begin 15 earlier than the scheduled excavation date which shall be on or 16 after the third business day after notification. The scheduled 17 excavation date shall exclude the date upon which notification 18 was received by the One Call System and notification received on 19 a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, which shall be processed on the 20 following business day. In the case of a complex project, 21 notification shall not be less than ten business days in advance 22 of the beginning of excavation or demolition work. 23 (2.2) To provide [a] the One Call System with specific 24 information to identify the site so that facility owners might 25 provide indications of their lines. [A contractor] An excavator 26 shall be deemed to have met the obligations of clause (2.1) if 27 he calls [a] the One Call System, provides the site and other 28 required information and receives a serial number. 29 (3) [If a contractor] In a complex project or if an 30 excavator intends to perform work at multiple sites or over a 20050H2223B3323 - 18 -
1 large area, he shall take reasonable steps to work with facility 2 owners, including scheduling and conducting a preconstruction 3 meeting, so that they may locate their facilities at a time 4 reasonably in advance of the actual start of excavation or 5 demolition work for each phase of the work. A preconstruction 6 meeting may take place at any time prior to the commencement of 7 excavation or demolition work, and the excavator, facility 8 owners and designer, or their agents, shall attend the meeting. 9 Notice of the meeting shall be given sufficiently in advance so 10 as to permit attendance, either in person or electronically, by 11 the excavator, facility owners and designer, or their agents, 12 and shall include information sufficient to identify the scope 13 of work. If the excavator does not believe that a 14 preconstruction meeting is necessary under the circumstances of 15 this paragraph it shall indicate such belief in its notice, but 16 any facility owner with facilities at the site may request a 17 meeting with the excavator and a meeting shall be held between 18 the facility owner and the excavator. After commencement of 19 excavation or demolition work, the [contractor] excavator shall 20 be responsible for protecting and preserving the staking, 21 marking or other designation until no longer required for proper 22 and safe excavation or demolition work at or near the 23 underground facility, or by [calling for an additional 24 relocation] contacting the One Call System to request that the 25 facilities be marked again in the event that the previous 26 markings have been compromised or eliminated. 27 (3.1) To comply with the requirements established by the One 28 Call System as determined by the board of directors regarding 29 the maximum area that a notification may cover. 30 (4) To exercise due care; and to take all reasonable steps 20050H2223B3323 - 19 -
1 necessary to avoid injury to or otherwise interfere with all 2 lines where positions have been provided to the [contractor] 3 excavator by the facility owners pursuant to clause (5) of 4 section 2. Within the tolerance zone [or if insufficient 5 information is available pursuant to clause (5) of section 2, 6 the contractor] the excavator shall employ prudent techniques, 7 which may include hand-dug test holes, to ascertain the precise 8 position of such facilities[,]. If insufficient information to 9 safely excavate is available pursuant to clause (5) of section 10 2, the excavator shall employ like prudent techniques which 11 shall be paid for by the owner pursuant to clause (15) of this 12 section. 13 (5) If the facility owner fails to respond to the 14 [contractor's timely request within the two work days] 15 excavator's timely request as provided under clause (5) of 16 section 2 or the facility owner notifies the [contractor] 17 excavator that the line cannot be marked within the time frame 18 and a mutually agreeable date for marking cannot be arrived at, 19 the [contractor] excavator may proceed with excavation [at the 20 end of three working days] as scheduled, but not earlier than 21 the lawful dig date, provided he exercises due care in his 22 endeavors, subject to the limitations contained in this clause 23 and clauses (2.1) through (4). 24 (6) To inform each operator employed by the [contractor] 25 excavator at the site of such work of the information obtained 26 by the [contractor] excavator pursuant to clauses (2.1) through 27 (5), and the [contractor] excavator and operator shall: 28 (i) Plan the excavation or demolition to avoid damage to or 29 minimize interference with a facility owner's facilities in the 30 construction area. Excavation or demolition work which requires 20050H2223B3323 - 20 -
1 temporary or permanent interruption of a facility owner's 2 service shall be coordinated with the affected facility owner in 3 all cases. 4 (ii) After consulting with a facility owner, provide such 5 support and mechanical protection for known facility owner's 6 lines at the construction site during the excavation or 7 demolition work, including during backfilling operations, as may 8 be reasonably necessary for the protection of such lines. 9 (7) To report immediately to the facility owner any break or 10 leak on its lines, or any dent, gouge, groove or other damage to 11 such lines or to their coating or cathodic protection, made or 12 discovered in the course of the excavation or demolition work. 13 The One Call System board of directors may adopt procedures to 14 permit reporting of these incidents through the One Call System. 15 (8) [To alert immediately the occupants of premises as to 16 any emergency that such person may create or discover at or near 17 such premises.] If responsible, to immediately notify 911 and 18 the facility owner, if the damage results in the escape of any 19 flammable, toxic, or corrosive gas or liquid which endangers 20 life, health or property. The excavator shall take reasonable 21 measures based on its knowledge, training, resources, experience 22 and understanding of the situation to protect themselves and 23 those in immediate danger, the general public, property and the 24 environment until the facility owner or emergency responders 25 have arrived and completed their assessment and shall remain on 26 site to convey any pertinent information to responders that may 27 help them to safely mitigate the situation. 28 (9) The time requirements of clause (2.1) shall not apply to 29 a facility owner or [contractor] excavator performing excavation 30 or demolition work in an emergency, as defined in section 1; 20050H2223B3323 - 21 -
1 nonetheless, all facility owners shall be notified as soon as 2 possible before, during or after excavation or demolition, 3 depending upon the circumstances. 4 (11) [A contractor] An excavator shall use the color white 5 to mark a proposed excavation site when exact site information 6 cannot be provided. 7 (11.1) To assist a facility owner in determining involvement 8 of a facility owner's lines by disclosing additional available 9 information requested by the facility owner, including 10 dimensions and the direction of proposed excavations. 11 (11.2) If using horizontal directional drilling (HDD), at a 12 minimum, to utilize the best practices published by the HDD 13 Consortium. 14 (12) The following standards shall be applied in determining 15 whether [a contractor] an excavator shall incur any obligation 16 or be subject to liability as a result of [a contractor's] an 17 excavator's demolition or excavation work damaging a facility 18 owner's facilities: 19 (i) The [contractor] excavator who has complied with the 20 terms of this act and who was not otherwise negligent shall not 21 be subject to liability or incur any obligation to facility 22 owners, operators, project owners or other persons who sustain 23 injury to person or property as a result of the [contractor's] 24 excavator's excavation or demolition work damaging a facility 25 owner's lines. 26 (ii) Where [a contractor] an excavator has failed to comply 27 with the terms of this act or was otherwise negligent, and the 28 facility owner or designer has misidentified, mislocated or 29 failed to identify its facilities pursuant to this act, then in 30 computing the amount of reimbursement to which the facility 20050H2223B3323 - 22 -
1 owner is entitled, the cost of repairing or replacing its 2 facilities shall be diminished in the same proportion that the 3 facility owner's or designer's misidentification, mislocation or 4 failure to identify the facilities contributed to the damage. 5 Should the facility owner or designer not have misidentified, 6 mislocated or failed to identify its facilities pursuant to this 7 act, there shall be no diminution of the facility owner's right 8 of recovery. 9 (13) If, after receiving information from [a] the One Call 10 System or directly from a facility owner, the [contractor] 11 excavator decides to change the location, scope or duration of a 12 proposed excavation, the obligations imposed by this section 13 shall apply to the new location. 14 (14) If [a contractor] an excavator removes its equipment 15 and vacates a worksite for more than two [working] business 16 days, he shall renotify [a] the One Call System unless other 17 arrangements have been made directly with the facility owners 18 involved in his worksite. 19 (15) When the information required from the facility owner 20 under clause (5)(i) of section 2 cannot be provided or due to 21 the nature of the information received from the facility owner, 22 it is reasonably necessary for the [contractor] excavator to 23 ascertain the precise location of any line or abandoned or 24 unclaimed lines by prudent techniques, which may include hand- 25 dug test holes, vacuum excavation or other similar devices, the 26 [contractor] excavator shall promptly notify the project owner 27 or the project owner's representative, either orally or in 28 writing. After giving such notice, the [contractor] excavator 29 shall be entitled to compensation from the project owner for 30 this additional work as provided in the latest edition of the 20050H2223B3323 - 23 -
1 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Form 408 2 specifications for extra work performed on a force account 3 basis. The provisions of this subsection shall not be deemed to 4 limit any other rights which the [contractor] excavator has 5 under its contract with the project owner or otherwise. 6 Provisions in any contract, public or private, which attempt to 7 limit the rights of [contractors] excavators under this section 8 shall not be [waived] valid for any reason, and any attempted 9 waiver of this section shall be void and unenforceable as 10 against public policy and any such attempted waiver shall be 11 reported to the [Department of Labor and Industry] department. 12 (16) To submit an incident report to the department not more 13 than ten [working] business days after striking or otherwise 14 damaging a facility owner's line during excavation or demolition 15 activities that resulted in personal injury or property damage 16 to parties other than the affected [contractor] excavator or 17 facility owner. In addition, the incident report may be 18 furnished to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and the 19 Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency pursuant to memoranda 20 of understanding negotiated between these agencies and the 21 department. 22 (17) To comply with all requests for information by the 23 department relating to the department's enforcement authority 24 under this act within thirty days of the receipt of the request. 25 (18) To, if it chooses to do so and if working for a 26 facility owner, a municipality or a municipal authority, 27 delegate the power to discharge the duties set forth in clauses 28 (2.1) and (2.2) to its project owner, with the project owner's 29 consent. If the power is delegated pursuant to this clause, both 30 the excavator and the project owner shall be responsible for 20050H2223B3323 - 24 -
1 providing the required notices. 2 (19) To ensure the accuracy of any information provided to 3 the One Call System pursuant to this section. 4 Section 7. Section 6 of the act, amended December 12, 1986 5 (P.L.1574, No.172), is amended to read: 6 Section 6. [This] Except as otherwise provided in this act, 7 this act shall not be deemed to amend or repeal any other law, 8 Commonwealth regulation or any local ordinance enacted pursuant 9 to law concerning the same subject matter, it being the 10 legislative intent that any such other law or local ordinance 11 shall have full force and effect where not inconsistent with 12 this act. 13 Section 8. The act is amended by adding sections to read: 14 Section 6.1. It shall be the duty of each project owner who 15 engages in excavation or demolition work to be done within this 16 Commonwealth: 17 (1) To utilize subsurface utility engineering or other 18 similar techniques, wherever practicable, when designing complex 19 projects having an estimated cost of five hundred thousand 20 dollars ($500,000) or more. 21 (2) To timely respond to notifications received from 22 excavators pursuant to clause (15) of section 5. 23 (3) To not release to bid or construction any project until 24 after final design is completed. 25 (4) To participate in design and preconstruction meetings 26 either directly or through a representative. 27 (5) To furnish the pertinent data obtained through 28 subsurface utility engineering to the One Call System in a 29 mutually agreeable format. 30 (6) For new construction and where practicable in the 20050H2223B3323 - 25 -
1 opinion of the project owner, to install color-coded permanent 2 markers to indicate the type and location of all laterals 3 installed by the project owner. 4 Section 7. (a) The Auditor General may review management 5 and financial audits of the One Call System, which audits shall 6 be performed by a qualified auditing firm within this 7 Commonwealth. A copy of the audit shall be submitted to the 8 Auditor General upon its completion and to the General Assembly 9 by October 31 of the year following the end of the audit period. 10 The cost of reasonable expenses incurred by the Auditor General 11 in performing the obligations under this section shall be 12 reimbursed by the One Call System. The fees shall not be 13 inconsistent with those of commercial auditing firms for similar 14 work. 15 (b) The Auditor General, for the purposes set forth in 16 subsection (a), and any contractor, excavator, facility owner or 17 member of the One Call System shall have the right during 18 regular business hours to inspect and copy any record, book, 19 account, document or any other information relating to the 20 provision of one call services by the One Call System, at the 21 cost determined by the board of directors. 22 (c) The One Call System shall submit an annual report to its 23 members, and a copy of the report shall be submitted to the 24 Auditor General. 25 Section 9. Section 7.1 of the act, amended December 19, 1996 26 (P.L.1460, No.187), is amended to read: 27 [Section 7.1. 28 (b) A One Call System shall be governed by a board of 29 directors, to be chosen by the facility owners. No less than 30 twenty percent of the seats on the board shall be held by 20050H2223B3323 - 26 -
1 municipalities or municipal authorities. The board shall include 2 the following: 3 (1) The Chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility 4 Commission or his designee. 5 (2) The Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management 6 Agency or his designee. 7 (3) The Secretary of Labor and Industry or his designee. 8 (4) The Secretary of Transportation or his designee. 9 (5) A contractor or industry representative. 10 (6) A designer or industry representative. 11 (b.1) All fees are to be set by the board of directors and 12 shall be based on the latest annual audited cost factors of a 13 One Call System. Fees shall be set and adjusted to a rate not 14 more than five percent above the audited cost factor plus the 15 current average published Consumer Price Index for Pennsylvania. 16 Costs of capital improvements may be added, provided the 17 improvement receives a majority vote of the board of directors. 18 (c) The Auditor General, for the purposes set forth in 19 subsection (c.1), and any contractor, facility owner or member 20 of a One Call System shall have the right at any time to inspect 21 and copy any record, book, account, document or any other 22 information relating to the provision of one call services by a 23 One Call System at his own cost. 24 (c.1) The Auditor General shall conduct a biennial 25 performance and financial audit of a One Call System. A copy of 26 the audit conducted by the Auditor General under this paragraph 27 shall be submitted to the General Assembly no later than one 28 hundred and eighty days following the end of the audit period. 29 The actual cost of reasonable expenses incurred by the Auditor 30 General in performing his obligations under this section shall 20050H2223B3323 - 27 -
1 be reimbursed by a One Call System. Such fees shall not be 2 inconsistent with those of commercial auditing firms for similar 3 work. 4 (c.2) A One Call System shall submit an annual report to its 5 members, and a copy of the report shall be submitted to the 6 General Assembly. 7 (g) Any contractor, designer or operator who proposes to 8 commence excavation or demolition work and requests information 9 of a One Call System shall be charged a fee for the service 10 received from a One Call System. Such fee shall be used to 11 offset the operation cost levied on the political subdivision 12 and municipal authority members in lieu of additional fees 13 charged for locations specifically related to this act.] 14 Section 10. Section 7.2 of the act, amended November 30, 15 2004 (P.L.1567, No.199), is amended to read: 16 Section 7.2. (a) Any person violating any of the provisions 17 of this act, except clauses (1) and (2) of section 2, commits a 18 summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay 19 a fine of not less than two thousand five hundred dollars 20 ($2,500) nor more than [twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000)] 21 fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or undergo imprisonment for not 22 more than ninety days, or both. The Attorney General of the 23 Commonwealth or any district attorney may enforce the provisions 24 of this act in any court of competent jurisdiction. The 25 department, in consultation with the Attorney General, may also 26 enforce the provisions of this act in any court of competent 27 jurisdiction. A facility owner may petition any court of 28 competent jurisdiction to enjoin any excavation or demolition 29 work conducted in violation of this act. Local law enforcement 30 or emergency management personnel may, in the interest of public 20050H2223B3323 - 28 -
1 safety, order excavators on a site to stop further excavation, 2 if the excavation is being conducted in violation of this act. 3 (b) Fines levied under subsection (a) shall be determined 4 according to the following schedule: 5 (1) Where violations result in property damage that does not 6 exceed three thousand dollars ($3,000), the fine shall not 7 exceed [three thousand dollars ($3,000)] five thousand dollars 8 ($5,000). 9 (2) Where violations result in property damage of more than 10 three thousand dollars ($3,000), the fine shall not exceed [five 11 thousand dollars ($5,000)] ten thousand dollars ($10,000). 12 (3) For violations which result in personal injury or death, 13 the fine shall not exceed [twenty-five thousand dollars 14 ($25,000)] fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). 15 (c) The following factors shall be considered in determining 16 the fine to be assessed: 17 (1) The degree of the party's compliance with the statute 18 prior to date of the violation. 19 (2) The amount of personal and property damage caused by the 20 party's noncompliance. 21 (3) The degree of threat to the public safety and 22 inconvenience caused by the party's noncompliance. 23 (4) The party's plans and procedures to insure future 24 compliance with statutes and regulations. 25 (c.1) In addition to any other sanctions provided by this 26 act, the department shall have the authority to issue warnings 27 and orders requiring compliance with this act and may levy 28 administrative penalties for violations of this act. Any 29 warning, order or penalty shall be served on the person or 30 entity violating the act at their last known address. The 20050H2223B3323 - 29 -
1 department shall consider the factors set forth in subsection 2 (c) in determining the administrative penalty to be assessed. 3 Any party aggrieved by the imposition of an order or 4 administrative penalty imposed by the department may appeal such 5 order or penalty as provided in 2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 5 Subch. A 6 (relating to practice and procedure of Commonwealth agencies) 7 and Ch. 7 Subch. A (relating to review of Commonwealth agency 8 action). 9 (c.2) Administrative penalties imposed by the department 10 under subsection (c.1) shall be determined according to the 11 following schedule: 12 (1) Any person or entity violating the provisions of clauses 13 (1) and (2) of section 2 may be subject to an administrative 14 penalty not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) per day. Each 15 day of noncompliance shall constitute a separate violation. 16 (2) Any person or entity receiving three or more warnings in 17 a calendar year may be subject to an administrative penalty not 18 to exceed five hundred dollars ($500). 19 (3) Where violations result in property damage that does not 20 exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000), the administrative 21 penalty may not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). 22 (4) Where violations result in property damage of more than 23 ten thousand dollars ($10,000), the administrative penalty may 24 not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000). 25 (5) For violations that result in personal injury or death, 26 the administrative penalty may not exceed ten thousand dollars 27 ($10,000). 28 (d) All fines and penalties recovered under this section 29 shall be payable to the Attorney General, district attorney or 30 the department, whichever brought the action, and collected in 20050H2223B3323 - 30 -
1 the manner provided for by law. [To the extent that the expenses 2 incurred by the department in enforcing this act exceed the 3 fines collected by the department under this section, the 4 department may assess a charge for the remaining reasonable 5 expenses from a One Call System pursuant to a written agreement 6 between the parties.] Administrative penalties collected by the 7 department shall be used to support public education to minimize 8 underground damage and may be used for damage prevention 9 activities of the One Call System. 10 (e) The provisions of this act shall not affect any civil 11 remedies for personal injury or property damage, except as 12 otherwise specifically provided for in this act. 13 (f) The secretary or his designee shall have the authority 14 to issue subpoenas, upon application of an attorney responsible 15 for representing the Commonwealth in actions before the 16 department, for the purpose of investigating alleged violations 17 of this act. The department shall have the power to subpoena 18 witnesses and compel the production of books, records, papers 19 and documents as it deems necessary or pertinent to an 20 investigation or hearing. 21 Section 11. Section 7.6 of the act, added December 19, 1996 22 (P.L.1460, No.187), is amended to read: 23 [Section 7.6. This act shall not apply to any of the 24 following pipeline systems and facilities: 25 (1) Oil and gas production or gathering pipeline systems 26 constructed with pipe measuring less than three inches inside 27 diameter which are designed to collect and transport crude oil 28 or natural gas from the wellhead to the point of custody 29 transfer, provided such systems are permanently marked or staked 30 where they cross public highway rights-of-way or the boundary of 20050H2223B3323 - 31 -
1 property which is owned in fee by the owner of the gathering 2 pipeline system. 3 (2) Any continuous one-mile length of a crude oil or natural 4 gas production or gathering pipeline system constructed with 5 pipe measuring three inches inside diameter or larger which is 6 designed principally to collect and transport crude oil or 7 natural gas from the wellhead to the point of custody transfer 8 where no more than fifty buildings intended for permanent 9 residential occupancy are located within two hundred twenty 10 yards on either side of the center line of the one-mile length 11 of pipeline.] 12 Section 12. The act is amended by adding sections to read: 13 Section 7.7. The One Call System shall have the authority to 14 design, establish and administer a voluntary dispute resolution 15 process which may be used by excavators, facility owners, 16 designers, project owners and other involved persons. The 17 process shall provide for dispute resolution panels selected 18 from among a pool of representatives of stakeholder groups, 19 including facility owners, excavators, designers and regulators. 20 Section 7.8. Except as otherwise provided for by this act, a 21 person shall use their best efforts to comply with the Common 22 Ground Alliance Best Practices. 23 Section 7.9. No person shall maliciously remove or tamper 24 with a marking provided for under this act. 25 Section 13. Section 7.7 of the act, added December 19, 1996 26 (P.L.1460, No.187), is amended to read: 27 Section [7.7] 7.10. This act shall expire on December 31, 28 [2006] 2016. 29 Section 14. Repeals are as follows: 30 (1) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under 20050H2223B3323 - 32 -
1 paragraph (2) is necessary to effectuate the amendment of the 2 title of the act and to cause certain liquefied petroleum gas 3 facilities or distributors to be subject to this act. 4 (2) The provisions of section 19 of the act of June 19, 5 2002 (P.L.421, No.61), known as the Propane and Liquefied 6 Petroleum Gas Act, is repealed to the extent that it 7 prohibits certain liquefied petroleum gas facilities or 8 distributors from being subject to this act. 9 Section 15. This act shall take effect in 60 days. 10 SECTION 1. THE TITLE OF THE ACT OF DECEMBER 10, 1974 <-- 11 (P.L.852, NO.287), REFERRED TO AS THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY LINE 12 PROTECTION LAW, IS AMENDED TO READ: 13 AN ACT 14 TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY BY PREVENTING EXCAVATION 15 OR DEMOLITION WORK FROM DAMAGING UNDERGROUND LINES USED IN 16 PROVIDING ELECTRICITY, COMMUNICATION, GAS, PROPANE, OIL 17 DELIVERY, OIL PRODUCT DELIVERY, SEWAGE, WATER OR OTHER 18 SERVICE; IMPOSING DUTIES UPON THE PROVIDERS OF SUCH SERVICE, 19 RECORDERS OF DEEDS, AND PERSONS AND OTHER ENTITIES PREPARING 20 DRAWINGS OR PERFORMING EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK; AND 21 PRESCRIBING PENALTIES. 22 SECTION 2. SECTION 1 OF THE ACT, AMENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2004 23 (P.L.1567, NO.199), IS AMENDED TO READ: 24 SECTION 1. AS USED IN THIS ACT: 25 "ABANDONED" MEANS NO LONGER IN SERVICE AND PHYSICALLY 26 DISCONNECTED FROM A LINE. 27 "BUSINESS DAY" MEANS ANY DAY EXCEPT A SATURDAY, SUNDAY OR 28 LEGAL HOLIDAY PRESCRIBED BY STATUTE. A BUSINESS DAY BEGINS AT 29 12:00:00 A.M. AND ENDS AT 11:59:59 P.M. 30 "CARTWAY" MEANS THAT PORTION OF A STREET WHICH IS IMPROVED BY 20050H2223B3323 - 33 -
1 SURFACING WITH PERMANENT OR SEMIPERMANENT MATERIAL AND IS 2 INTENDED FOR VEHICULAR TRAFFIC. 3 "COMMON GROUND ALLIANCE BEST PRACTICES" MEANS THE DAMAGE 4 PREVENTION INDUSTRY RECOMMENDED STANDARDS ISSUED BY THE COMMON 5 GROUND ALLIANCE, A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION CREATED PURSUANT 6 TO THE ISSUANCE OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF 7 TRANSPORTATION'S COMMON GROUND TASK FORCE REPORT IN 1999. 8 "COMPLEX PROJECT" MEANS AN EXCAVATION THAT INVOLVES MORE WORK 9 THAN PROPERLY CAN BE DESCRIBED IN A SINGLE LOCATE REQUEST OR ANY 10 PROJECT DESIGNATED AS SUCH BY THE EXCAVATOR AS A CONSEQUENCE OF 11 ITS COMPLEXITY OR ITS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT DISRUPTION 12 TO LINES OR FACILITIES AND THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING EXCAVATIONS 13 THAT REQUIRE SCHEDULING LOCATES OVER AN EXTENDED TIME FRAME. 14 "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX" MEANS THE INDEX OF CONSUMER PRICES 15 DEVELOPED AND UPDATED BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS OF THE 16 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. 17 ["CONTRACTOR" MEANS ANY PERSON WHO OR WHICH PERFORMS 18 EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK FOR HIMSELF OR FOR ANOTHER 19 PERSON.] 20 "CONTINUING PROPERTY RECORDS" MEANS A RECORD REQUIRED 21 PURSUANT TO 66 PA.C.S. § 1702 (RELATING TO CONTINUING PROPERTY 22 RECORDS). 23 "CULVERT" MEANS A SEWER OR DRAIN CROSSING A ROAD OR 24 EMBANKMENT, A PART OF A ROAD OR EMBANKMENT THAT PASSES OVER A 25 SEWER OR DRAIN OR THE CHANNEL OR CONDUIT FOR A SEWER OR DRAIN. 26 "DEMOLITION WORK" MEANS THE PARTIAL OR COMPLETE DESTRUCTION 27 OF A STRUCTURE, BY ANY MEANS, SERVED BY OR ADJACENT TO A LINE OR 28 LINES. 29 "DEPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY OF 30 THE COMMONWEALTH. 20050H2223B3323 - 34 -
1 "DESIGNER" MEANS ANY ARCHITECT, ENGINEER OR OTHER PERSON WHO 2 OR WHICH PREPARES A DRAWING FOR A CONSTRUCTION OR OTHER PROJECT 3 WHICH REQUIRES EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK AS HEREIN DEFINED. 4 "EMERGENCY" MEANS A SUDDEN OR UNFORESEEN OCCURRENCE INVOLVING 5 A CLEAR AND IMMEDIATE DANGER TO LIFE [OR], PROPERTY AND THE 6 ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SERIOUS BREAKS OR 7 DEFECTS IN A FACILITY OWNER'S LINES. 8 "ENGINEERING CONTROL" MEANS MAN-MADE CONTROLS DESIGNED TO 9 ISOLATE OR CONTAIN IN THE GROUND WASTE OR MATERIALS HAZARDOUS TO 10 HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT. THE TERM INCLUDES ALL OF THE 11 FOLLOWING: 12 (1) HAZARDOUS, MUNICIPAL, RESIDUAL AND RADIOACTIVE WASTE 13 LANDFILLS. 14 (2) VAULTS, REPOSITORIES AND IN-SITU STABILIZATION. 15 (3) CAPS ON RESIDUAL CONTAMINATION. 16 (4) GROUNDWATER PUMP AND TREAT SYSTEMS, LEACHATE COLLECTION 17 SYSTEMS AND MONITORING AND CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS. 18 "EXCAVATION WORK" MEANS THE USE OF POWERED EQUIPMENT OR 19 EXPLOSIVES IN THE MOVEMENT OF EARTH, ROCK OR OTHER MATERIAL, AND 20 INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO ANCHORING, AUGERING, BACKFILLING, 21 BLASTING, BORING, DIGGING, DITCHING, DRILLING, DRIVING-IN, 22 GRADING, PLOWING-IN, PULLING-IN, RIPPING, SCRAPING, TRENCHING 23 AND TUNNELING, BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE SOFT EXCAVATION TECHNOLOGY 24 SUCH AS VACUUM, HIGH PRESSURE AIR OR WATER, TILLING OF SOIL FOR 25 AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES TO A DEPTH OF LESS THAN EIGHTEEN INCHES, 26 THE DIRECT OPERATIONS NECESSARY OR INCIDENTAL TO THE PURPOSES OF 27 FINDING OR EXTRACTING NATURAL RESOURCES[,] OR THE DEPARTMENT OF 28 TRANSPORTATION AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS PERFORMING MINOR 29 ROUTINE MAINTENANCE UP TO A DEPTH OF [LESS THAN EIGHTEEN] TWELVE 30 INCHES WITHIN THE [RIGHT-OF-WAY OF] CARTWAY OF PUBLIC ROADS OR 20050H2223B3323 - 35 -
1 [EMPLOYES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PERFORMING WITHIN 2 THE SCOPE OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT WORK UP TO A DEPTH OF TWENTY-FOUR 3 INCHES BENEATH THE EXISTING SURFACE WITHIN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY OF A 4 STATE HIGHWAY.] WITHIN SIX INCHES OF THE REMAINING RIGHT-OF-WAY 5 OF PUBLIC ROADS. 6 "EXCAVATOR" MEANS ANY PERSON WHO OR WHICH PERFORMS EXCAVATION 7 OR DEMOLITION WORK FOR HIMSELF OR FOR ANOTHER PERSON. 8 "FACILITY OWNER" MEANS THE PUBLIC UTILITY OR AGENCY, 9 POLITICAL SUBDIVISION, MUNICIPALITY, AUTHORITY, RURAL ELECTRIC 10 COOPERATIVE OR OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY WHO OR WHICH OWNS OR 11 OPERATES A LINE. [THE TERM DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DEPARTMENT OF 12 TRANSPORTATION WITHIN A STATE HIGHWAY RIGHT-OF-WAY.] THE TERM 13 DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: 14 (1) A PERSON SERVING THE PERSON'S OWN PROPERTY THROUGH THE 15 PERSON'S OWN LINE IF THE PERSON DOES NOT PROVIDE SERVICE TO ANY 16 OTHER CUSTOMER. 17 (2) A PERSON USING A LINE WHICH THE PERSON DOES NOT OWN OR 18 OPERATE IF THE USE OF THE LINE DOES NOT SERVE MORE THAN A SINGLE 19 PROPERTY. 20 "FINAL DESIGN" MEANS THE ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION 21 DRAWINGS THAT ARE PROVIDED TO A BIDDER OR OTHER PERSON WHO IS 22 ASKED TO INITIATE CONSTRUCTION ON THE BID DATE OR THE DATE THE 23 PROJECT IS SET FOR CONSTRUCTION IN THE ABSENCE OF A BID. 24 "HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING" MEANS THE USE OF HORIZONTAL 25 BORING DEVICES THAT CAN BE GUIDED BETWEEN A LAUNCH POINT AND A 26 RECEPTION POINT BENEATH THE EARTH'S SURFACE. 27 "LINE" OR "FACILITY" MEANS AN ENGINEERING CONTROL OR AN 28 UNDERGROUND CONDUCTOR OR UNDERGROUND PIPE OR STRUCTURE USED IN 29 PROVIDING ELECTRIC OR COMMUNICATION SERVICE, OR AN UNDERGROUND 30 PIPE USED IN CARRYING, GATHERING, TRANSPORTING OR PROVIDING 20050H2223B3323 - 36 -
1 NATURAL PETROLEUM OR ARTIFICIAL GAS, PROPANE, OIL OR [OIL] 2 PETROLEUM AND PRODUCTION PRODUCT, SEWAGE, WATER OR OTHER SERVICE 3 TO ONE OR MORE TRANSPORTATION CARRIERS, CONSUMERS OR CUSTOMERS 4 OF SUCH SERVICE AND THE APPURTENANCES THERETO, REGARDLESS OF 5 WHETHER SUCH LINE OR STRUCTURE IS LOCATED ON LAND OWNED BY A 6 PERSON OR PUBLIC AGENCY OR WHETHER IT IS LOCATED WITHIN AN 7 EASEMENT OR RIGHT-OF-WAY. THE TERM INCLUDES STORM DRAINAGE AND 8 TRAFFIC LOOPS. 9 "LOCATE REQUEST" MEANS A COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AN EXCAVATOR 10 OR DESIGNER AND THE ONE CALL SYSTEM IN WHICH A REQUEST FOR 11 LOCATING FACILITIES IS PROCESSED. 12 "MINOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE" MEANS SHAPING OF OR ADDING DUST 13 PALLIATIVE TO UNPAVED ROADS, REMOVAL AND APPLICATION OF PATCHES 14 TO THE SURFACE OR BASE OF FLEXIBLE BASE, RIGID BASE OR RIGID 15 SURFACE ROADS BY EITHER MANUAL OR MECHANIZED METHOD TO THE 16 EXTENT OF THE EXISTING EXPOSED BASE MATERIAL, CRACK AND JOINT 17 SEALING, ADDING DUST PALLIATIVE TO ROAD SHOULDERS, PATCHING AND 18 CUTTING OF SHOULDERS AND SHOULDER BASES BY EITHER MANUAL OR 19 MECHANIZED METHODS TO THE EXTENT OF THE EXISTING EXPOSED BASE, 20 AND CLEANING OF INLETS AND DRAINAGE PIPES AND DITCHES. 21 "ONE CALL SYSTEM" MEANS [A] THE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM 22 ESTABLISHED WITHIN THIS COMMONWEALTH TO PROVIDE A SINGLE 23 NATIONWIDE TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER OR 811 NUMBER FOR 24 [CONTRACTORS] EXCAVATORS OR DESIGNERS OR ANY OTHER PERSON 25 COVERED BY THIS ACT TO CALL FACILITY OWNERS AND NOTIFY THEM OF 26 THEIR INTENT TO PERFORM EXCAVATION, DEMOLITION OR SIMILAR WORK 27 AS DEFINED BY THIS ACT. [A] THE ONE CALL SYSTEM SHALL BE 28 INCORPORATED AND OPERATED AS A NONPROFIT CORPORATION PURSUANT TO 29 15 PA.C.S. PT. II SUBPT. C (RELATING TO NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS). 30 "OPERATOR" MEANS ANY INDIVIDUAL IN PHYSICAL CONTROL OF 20050H2223B3323 - 37 -
1 POWERED EQUIPMENT OR EXPLOSIVES WHEN BEING USED TO PERFORM 2 EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK. 3 ["OWNER" MEANS ANY PERSON WHO OR WHICH ENGAGES A CONTRACTOR 4 FOR CONSTRUCTION OR ANY OTHER PROJECT WHICH REQUIRES EXCAVATION 5 OR DEMOLITION WORK AS HEREIN DEFINED.] 6 "PERSON" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL, PARTNERSHIP, CORPORATION, 7 POLITICAL SUBDIVISION, A MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY, THE COMMONWEALTH 8 AND ITS AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES, OR ANY OTHER ENTITY. 9 "POWERED EQUIPMENT" MEANS ANY EQUIPMENT ENERGIZED BY AN 10 ENGINE OR MOTOR AND USED IN EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK. 11 "PRECONSTRUCTION REQUEST" MEANS A NOTIFICATION TO FACILITY 12 OWNERS REGARDING A COMPLEX PROJECT. 13 "PROJECT OWNER" MEANS ANY PERSON WHO OR WHICH ENGAGES AN 14 EXCAVATOR FOR CONSTRUCTION OR ANY OTHER PROJECT WHICH REQUIRES 15 EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK. 16 "SECRETARY" MEANS THE SECRETARY OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY OF THE 17 COMMONWEALTH. 18 "SITE" MEANS THE SPECIFIC PLACE DENOTED ON THE LOCATE REQUEST 19 WHERE EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK IS BEING OR IS PLANNED TO BE 20 PERFORMED. A SITE SHOULD BE DENOTED AS A CLEARLY DEFINED, 21 BOUNDED AREA, INCLUDING RELEVANT IDENTIFIABLE POINTS OF 22 REFERENCE SUCH AS THE SPECIFIC ADDRESS WITH A SPECIFIC 23 DESCRIPTION AS TO THE PORTION OF THE PROPERTY, INCLUDING 24 DESCRIPTIONS SUCH AS FRONT, BACK, LEFT SIDE, RIGHT SIDE AND 25 DIRECTION SUCH AS N, S, E, W OR VARIANTS. WHERE POSSIBLE, THE 26 POINTS SHOULD ALSO REFERENCE, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE SIZE AND 27 RADIUS OR CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE EXCAVATION, UTILITY PAD OR 28 PEDESTAL NUMBERS, UTILITY POLE NUMBERS, LANDMARKS, INCLUDING 29 TREES, FOUNTAINS, FENCES, RAILROADS, HIGHWAY AND PIPELINE 30 MARKERS, AND LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE. 20050H2223B3323 - 38 -
1 "SUBSURFACE UTILITY ENGINEERING" OR "(SUE)" MEANS THOSE 2 TECHNIQUES SET FORTH IN THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS 3 (ASCE) STANDARD CI/ASCE 38-02, OR ITS SUCCESSOR DOCUMENT AS 4 DETERMINED BY THE ONE CALL SYSTEM. 5 "TOLERANCE ZONE" MEANS THE HORIZONTAL SPACE WITHIN EIGHTEEN 6 INCHES OF THE OUTSIDE WALL OR EDGE OF A LINE OR FACILITY. 7 "TRAFFIC LOOP" MEANS A DEVICE THAT DETECTS METAL OBJECT SUCH 8 AS CARS AND BICYCLES BASED ON THE CHANGE IN INDUCTANCE THAT THEY 9 INDUCE IN THE DEVICE. 10 ["WORKING DAY" MEANS ANY DAY EXCEPT A SATURDAY, SUNDAY OR 11 LEGAL HOLIDAY PRESCRIBED BY ACT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.] 12 SECTION 3. SECTIONS 2 AND 3 OF THE ACT, AMENDED NOVEMBER 30, 13 2004 (P.L.1567, NO.199), ARE AMENDED TO READ: 14 SECTION 2. IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF EACH FACILITY OWNER: 15 (1) TO BE A MEMBER OF AND GIVE WRITTEN NOTICE TO [A] THE ONE 16 CALL SYSTEM. SUCH NOTICE SHALL BE IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO [A] 17 THE ONE CALL SYSTEM AND INCLUDE: 18 (I) THE LEGAL NAME OF THE FACILITY OWNER[;] AND THEIR 19 OFFICIAL MAILING ADDRESS; 20 (II) THE NAMES OF THE COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES, DOWN TO 21 AND INCLUDING WARDS IN PHILADELPHIA, PITTSBURGH, ALLENTOWN AND 22 ERIE, IN WHICH ITS LINES ARE LOCATED AND OTHER RELATED 23 INFORMATION AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE ONE CALL SYSTEM REGARDING 24 THE LOCATION OF A MEMBER'S FACILITIES; 25 (III) THE FACILITY OWNER'S ADDRESS (BY STREET, NUMBER AND 26 POLITICAL SUBDIVISION), AND THE TELEPHONE NUMBER AND FAX NUMBER, 27 IF AVAILABLE, TO WHICH INQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED AS TO THE 28 LOCATION OF SUCH LINES; [AND] 29 (IV) [AT THE OPTION OF ANY FACILITY OWNER,] THE STREET 30 IDENTIFICATIONS[, WITHIN OR OUTSIDE OF THE MUNICIPALITY] OR LIKE 20050H2223B3323 - 39 -
1 INFORMATION WITHIN EACH OF THE MUNICIPALITIES IN WHICH ITS LINES 2 ARE LOCATED. THIS INFORMATION SHALL BE IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO 3 [A] THE ONE CALL SYSTEM. [AND SHALL INCLUDE THE NAMES OF STREETS 4 BOUNDING, CROSSING OR ADJACENT TO THE FACILITY OWNER'S LINES.] 5 UPON [RECEIPT OF A SIGNED STREET IDENTIFICATION LIST] ACCEPTANCE 6 OF THE INFORMATION FROM A FACILITY OWNER, [A] THE ONE CALL 7 SYSTEM SHALL PROVIDE THE FACILITY OWNER WITH NOTIFICATION WITHIN 8 THE BOUNDARIES DESCRIBED [IN THE STREET IDENTIFICATION LIST]. 9 ALL FACILITY OWNERS [WHICH OPT FOR THIS SERVICE] SHALL AGREE TO 10 INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS [A] THE ONE CALL SYSTEM FOR ANY 11 [STREET IDENTITY] ERRORS AND OMISSIONS ON THE PART OF THE 12 FACILITY OWNER OR THE [CONTRACTOR] EXCAVATOR OR DESIGNER 13 PROVIDING [STREET IDENTIFICATIONS.] THE INFORMATION AS THE AGENT 14 OF THE FACILITY OWNER; AND 15 (V) ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE ONE CALL SYSTEM. 16 (2) [TO GIVE TO A ONE CALL SYSTEM LIKE WRITTEN NOTICE WITHIN 17 FIVE WORKING DAYS AFTER ANY OF THE MATTERS STATED IN THE LAST 18 PREVIOUS NOTICE SHALL HAVE CHANGED.] TO PROVIDE THE ONE CALL 19 SYSTEM, WITHIN FIVE BUSINESS DAYS, WITH ANY REVISED INFORMATION 20 REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION. 21 (4) NOT MORE THAN TEN [WORKING] BUSINESS DAYS AFTER RECEIPT 22 OF A REQUEST [THEREFOR] FROM A DESIGNER WHO IDENTIFIES THE SITE 23 OF EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK FOR WHICH HE IS PREPARING A 24 DRAWING, TO INITIALLY RESPOND TO HIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION AS 25 TO THE POSITION AND TYPE OF THE FACILITY OWNER'S LINES AT SUCH 26 SITE BASED ON THE INFORMATION CURRENTLY IN THE FACILITY OWNER'S 27 POSSESSION[.] OR TO MARK THE PLANS WHICH HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO 28 IT BY THE DESIGNER BY FIELD LOCATION OR BY ANOTHER METHOD AGREED 29 TO BY THE DESIGNER, EXCAVATOR AND FACILITY OWNER, OR THEIR 30 AGENT. THE FACILITY OWNER SHALL SO ADVISE THE PERSON MAKING THE 20050H2223B3323 - 40 -
1 REQUEST OF THE FACILITY OWNER'S STATUS AT THE SITE THROUGH [A] 2 THE ONE CALL SYSTEM. 3 (5) [NOT MORE THAN TWO WORKING DAYS AFTER] AFTER RECEIPT OF 4 A TIMELY REQUEST [THEREFOR] FROM [A CONTRACTOR] AN EXCAVATOR OR 5 OPERATOR WHO IDENTIFIES THE SITE OF EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION 6 WORK HE INTENDS TO PERFORM[:] AND NOT LATER THAN THE BUSINESS 7 DAY PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED DATE OF EXCAVATION: 8 (I) TO MARK, STAKE, LOCATE OR OTHERWISE PROVIDE THE POSITION 9 OF THE FACILITY OWNER'S UNDERGROUND LINES AT THE SITE WITHIN 10 EIGHTEEN INCHES HORIZONTALLY FROM THE OUTSIDE WALL OF SUCH LINE 11 IN A MANNER SO AS TO ENABLE THE [CONTRACTOR] EXCAVATOR, WHERE 12 APPROPRIATE, TO EMPLOY PRUDENT TECHNIQUES, WHICH MAY INCLUDE 13 HAND-DUG TEST HOLES, TO DETERMINE THE PRECISE POSITION OF THE 14 UNDERGROUND FACILITY OWNER'S LINES. THIS SHALL BE DONE TO THE 15 EXTENT SUCH INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE IN THE FACILITY OWNER'S 16 RECORDS OR BY USE OF STANDARD LOCATING TECHNIQUES OTHER THAN 17 EXCAVATION. IN THE EXCAVATION PHASE, FACILITY OWNERS SHALL MAKE 18 REASONABLE EFFORTS TO LOCATE OR NOTIFY EXCAVATORS OF THE 19 EXISTENCE AND TYPE OF ABANDONED LINES THAT REMAIN ON THEIR 20 CONTINUING PROPERTY RECORDS. 21 (I.1) [A] TO, WHERE CONTAINED ON ITS CONTINUING PROPERTY 22 RECORDS, [FACILITY OWNER MAY] IDENTIFY THE LOCATION OF [A KNOWN 23 FACILITY CONNECTED] AN ACTUALLY KNOWN FACILITY'S POINT OF 24 CONNECTION TO ITS FACILITIES, [BUT] WHERE THE POINT OF 25 CONNECTION IS NOT OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE FACILITY OWNER[, AS A 26 HELPFUL GUIDE TO THE EXCAVATOR OR OWNER]. THE IDENTIFICATION 27 SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO IMPOSE ANY LIABILITY UPON THE FACILITY 28 OWNER FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE [PRIVATE FACILITY] OTHER 29 FACILITY'S IDENTIFICATION. 30 (II) [A FACILITY OWNER,] TO, AT ITS OPTION, [MAY] TIMELY 20050H2223B3323 - 41 -
1 ELECT TO EXCAVATE AROUND ITS FACILITIES IN FULFILLMENT OF THIS 2 SUBPARAGRAPH. 3 (III) TO PROPOSE MUTUALLY AGREEABLE SCHEDULING BY WHICH THE 4 EXCAVATOR, FACILITY OWNER OR DESIGNER MAY LOCATE THE FACILITIES. 5 (V) TO RESPOND TO ALL NOTICES THROUGH [A] THE ONE CALL 6 SYSTEM, PROVIDED THE REQUEST IS MADE IN THE TIME FRAME SET FORTH 7 UNDER THIS ACT. THE RESPONSE SHALL BE MADE NOT LATER THAN THE 8 END OF THE SECOND BUSINESS DAY FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF THE 9 NOTIFICATION BY THE ONE CALL SYSTEM, EXCLUDING THE BUSINESS DAY 10 UPON WHICH THE NOTIFICATION IS RECEIVED, OR NOT LATER THAN THE 11 DAY PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED DATE OF EXCAVATION, IF THE EXCAVATOR 12 SPECIFIES A LATER DATE. IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, TO RESPOND 13 THROUGH THE ONE CALL SYSTEM AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE FOLLOWING 14 RECEIPT OF NOTIFICATION OF THE EMERGENCY BY THE ONE CALL SYSTEM. 15 (VI) IN MARKING THE APPROXIMATE POSITION OF UNDERGROUND 16 LINES OR FACILITIES, THE FACILITY OWNER SHALL FOLLOW [AMERICAN 17 PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION AND UTILITY LOCATING AND COORDINATION 18 COUNCIL TEMPORARY MARKING STANDARDS.] THE COMMON GROUND ALLIANCE 19 BEST PRACTICES FOR TEMPORARY MARKING SET FORTH IN ANSI STANDARD 20 7535.1. SHOULD THE [AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION AND 21 UTILITY LOCATING AND COORDINATION COUNCIL TEMPORARY MARKING 22 STANDARDS] COMMON GROUND ALLIANCE BEST PRACTICES BE AMENDED, THE 23 AMENDED [STANDARDS] GUIDELINES SHALL BE APPLIED AND FOLLOWED. IF 24 THE COMMON GROUND ALLIANCE BEST PRACTICES NO LONGER PUBLISHES 25 GUIDELINES FOR TEMPORARY MARKINGS OR IF THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR 26 PUBLISHING THE GUIDELINES IS TRANSFERRED TO OR ASSUMED BY 27 ANOTHER ENTITY, THE FACILITY OWNER SHALL FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES 28 APPROVED BY THE ONE CALL SYSTEM'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 29 (VII) TO RESPOND TO [EMERGENCIES] EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS AS 30 SOON AS [PRACTICAL] PRACTICABLE FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF 20050H2223B3323 - 42 -
1 NOTIFICATION OF SUCH EMERGENCY. THE RESPONSE BY THE FACILITY 2 OWNER SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE NATURE OF THE EMERGENCY 3 INFORMATION RECEIVED BY THE FACILITY OWNER. 4 (VIII) TO PARTICIPATE IN PRECONSTRUCTION MEETINGS FOR A 5 COMPLEX PROJECT OR AS DESCRIBED IN CLAUSE (3) OF SECTION 5. 6 [(8) OPERATION COSTS FOR A ONE CALL SYSTEM SHALL BE SHARED, 7 IN AN EQUITABLE MANNER FOR SERVICES RECEIVED, BY FACILITY OWNER 8 MEMBERS AS DETERMINED BY A ONE CALL SYSTEM'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 9 POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS WITH A POPULATION OF LESS THAN TWO 10 THOUSAND PERSONS OR MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES HAVING AN AGGREGATE 11 POPULATION IN THE AREA SERVED BY THE MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY OF LESS 12 THAN FIVE THOUSAND PERSONS SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM PAYMENT OF ANY 13 SERVICE FEE.] 14 (9) IF A FACILITY OWNER FAILS TO BECOME A MEMBER OF [A] THE 15 ONE CALL SYSTEM IN VIOLATION OF THIS ACT AND A LINE OR LINES OF 16 SUCH NONMEMBER FACILITY OWNER ARE DAMAGED BY [A CONTRACTOR] AN 17 EXCAVATOR BY REASON OF THE [CONTRACTOR'S] EXCAVATOR'S FAILURE TO 18 NOTIFY THE FACILITY OWNER BECAUSE THE FACILITY OWNER WAS NOT A 19 MEMBER OF [A] THE ONE CALL SYSTEM SERVING THE LOCATION WHERE THE 20 DAMAGE OCCURRED, SUCH FACILITY OWNER SHALL HAVE NO RIGHT OF 21 RECOVERY FROM THE [CONTRACTOR] EXCAVATOR OF ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED 22 WITH THE DAMAGE TO ITS LINES. THE RIGHT HEREIN GRANTED SHALL NOT 23 BE IN LIMITATION OF ANY OTHER RIGHTS OF THE [CONTRACTOR] 24 EXCAVATOR. 25 (10) TO SUBMIT AN INCIDENT REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT NOT MORE 26 THAN TEN [WORKING] BUSINESS DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF NOTICE THAT 27 THE FACILITY OWNER'S LINES HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY EXCAVATION OR 28 DEMOLITION ACTIVITIES THAT RESULTED IN PERSONAL INJURY OR IN 29 PROPERTY DAMAGE TO PARTIES OTHER THAN THE AFFECTED EXCAVATOR OR 30 FACILITY OWNER. IN ADDITION, THE INCIDENT REPORT MAY LIKEWISE BE 20050H2223B3323 - 43 -
1 FURNISHED TO THE PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION AND THE 2 PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY PURSUANT TO MEMORANDA 3 OF UNDERSTANDING NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THESE AGENCIES AND THE 4 DEPARTMENT[.], WHICH SHALL, AT A MINIMUM, PROVIDE FOR A COMMON 5 REPORTING FORMAT FOR INCIDENT REPORTS. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 6 FURNISH TO [A] THE ONE CALL SYSTEM, UPON REASONABLE REQUEST, 7 STATISTICAL DATA PERTAINING TO THE NUMBER OF INCIDENT REPORTS 8 FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND THE TYPE, NUMBER AND RESULTS OF 9 INVESTIGATIONS FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT. 10 (11) TO COMPLY WITH ALL REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION BY THE 11 DEPARTMENT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT'S ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY 12 UNDER THIS ACT WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THE RECEIPT OF THE REQUEST. 13 SECTION 3. IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF [A] THE ONE CALL SYSTEM 14 TO DO THE FOLLOWING: 15 (1.1) TO ASSIGN [A SERIAL NUMBER AND] ONE OR MORE SERIAL 16 NUMBERS AND THE DATE THAT THE SITE MAY LEGALLY BE EXCAVATED AND 17 TO LOG THE ENTIRE VOICE TRANSACTION ON LOGGING RECORDERS IN 18 APPROPRIATE DIGITAL FORM AND MAINTAIN THESE LOGS FOR FIVE YEARS. 19 ALL RECORDS SHALL BE INDEXED AND AVAILABLE TO THE PARTIES 20 INVOLVED AT A REASONABLE COST AND AT REASONABLE TIMES SET BY [A] 21 THE ONE CALL SYSTEM. 22 (1.2) PERFORM THE OBLIGATIONS, AS SET FORTH UNDER THIS 23 SECTION, ON BEHALF OF THE FACILITY OWNER, [CONTRACTOR] EXCAVATOR 24 OR DESIGNER AS ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF [A] THE 25 ONE CALL SYSTEM. 26 (1.3) PROVIDE ACCESS TO MUNICIPAL LISTS PROVIDED TO [A] THE 27 ONE CALL SYSTEM FOR THOSE INTERESTED PARTIES. THIS LIST SHALL 28 CONTAIN FACILITY OWNERS HAVING LINES IN THE MUNICIPALITY, 29 INCLUDING WARDS AS INDICATED IN SUBCLAUSE (II) OF CLAUSE (1) OF 30 SECTION 2, AND TO MAINTAIN, FOR EACH MUNICIPALITY, A LIST 20050H2223B3323 - 44 -
1 CONTAINING THE INFORMATION AS REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE 2 FACILITY OWNER. SUCH LIST SHALL BE UPDATED AS REVISED 3 INFORMATION IS RECEIVED FROM THE FACILITY OWNER WITHIN FIVE 4 [WORKING] BUSINESS DAYS. 5 (2) TO MAKE SUCH LISTS UNDER CLAUSE (1.3) AVAILABLE FOR 6 PUBLIC INSPECTION VIA THE COUNTY RECORDER OF DEEDS WITHOUT 7 CHARGE. A MAXIMUM COPY FEE OF NO MORE THAN TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS 8 ($25) MAY BE CHARGED PER COUNTY LIST. EACH FACILITY OWNER CHANGE 9 SHALL BE FORWARDED, AT NO CHARGE, TO THE RESPECTIVE COUNTY 10 RECORDER OF DEEDS FOR PUBLIC ACCESS. THE RECORDER OF DEEDS SHALL 11 MAKE SUCH LIST AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION[.] BASED ON THE 12 MOST CURRENT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO IT BY THE ONE CALL SYSTEM. 13 (3) NOT MORE THAN TEN [WORKING] BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE 14 RECEIPT OF A CLEAR AND SPECIFIC REQUEST FROM THE DEPARTMENT, TO 15 PROVIDE ACCESS TO OR PHOTOCOPIES OF SPECIFIC ONE CALL SYSTEM 16 RESPONSE RECORDS, TICKETS OR OTHER LIKE INFORMATION RELATING TO 17 MATTERS UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO ITS 18 ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY UNDER THIS ACT. 19 (4) TO DETERMINE THE MAXIMUM GEOGRAPHIC AREA THAT SHALL 20 CONSTITUTE A VALID SINGLE NOTIFICATION AND TO DETERMINE WHEN 21 MULTIPLE NOTIFICATIONS SHALL BE REQUIRED OF ANY PERSON, 22 INCLUDING THE METHOD, THE TYPE AND THE NUMBER OF NOTIFICATIONS 23 IN A COMPLEX PROJECT. 24 (5) IF APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ONE CALL 25 SYSTEM, TO OFFER A SERVICE FOR THE APPLICATION AND OBTAINING OF 26 STATE OR MUNICIPAL PERMITS FOR EXCAVATION WORK. ISSUANCE OF THE 27 REQUIRED PERMITS SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE APPROPRIATE 28 STATE OR MUNICIPAL AGENCY WHICH HAS JURISDICTION OVER THE TYPE 29 OF EXCAVATION WORK BEING PERFORMED. 30 (6) PURSUANT TO POLICIES ADOPTED BY THE ONE CALL SYSTEM'S 20050H2223B3323 - 45 -
1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS, TO PROVIDE A SECURE REPOSITORY FOR AND 2 ACCESS TO SUBSURFACE UTILITY ENGINEERING DATA RECEIVED FROM 3 PROJECT OWNERS TO AFFECTED FACILITY OWNER MEMBERS. 4 (7) TO INQUIRE, WHEN AN EXCAVATOR HAS NOTIFIED THE ONE CALL 5 SYSTEM OF THE EXISTENCE OF A RELEASE OF NATURAL GAS OR OTHER 6 HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE OR OF POTENTIAL DANGER TO LIFE, HEALTH OR 7 PROPERTY, WHETHER THE EXCAVATOR HAS NOTIFIED THE 911 SYSTEM. IF 8 THE 911 SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED, THE ONE CALL SYSTEM SHALL 9 NOTIFY THE EXCAVATOR OF THE EXCAVATOR'S RESPONSIBILITY TO NOTIFY 10 THE 911 SYSTEM AND SHALL MAKE A RECORD OF THE CONVERSATION. 11 SECTION 4. THE ACT IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SECTION TO READ: 12 SECTION 3.1. (A) THE DUTIES OF THE ONE CALL SYSTEM ARE 13 THOSE DUTIES AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 3. DUTIES ASSIGNED TO OTHER 14 PARTIES IN OTHER SECTIONS OF THIS ACT SHALL BE THE DUTIES OF 15 THOSE PARTIES AND SHALL NOT BE IMPUTED TO THE ONE CALL SYSTEM, 16 INCLUDING THE DUTY TO PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION TO THE ONE 17 CALL SYSTEM CONCERNING PROPOSED EXCAVATION AND THE DUTY TO 18 LOCATE FACILITIES AT A SITE. 19 (B) THE ONE CALL SYSTEM SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES TO 20 THE PERSON OR THE PERSON'S PROPERTY ARISING OUT OF ITS 21 NONNEGLIGENT ACTIONS IN FURTHERANCE OF THE DUTIES IMPOSED UNDER 22 THIS ACT AND SHALL BE LIABLE ONLY IF THE FAILURE TO COMPLY WAS 23 THE PROXIMATE CAUSE OF ANY DAMAGES CLAIMED. 24 (C) PRIOR TO ANY ACTION INSTITUTED IN A COURT OF THIS 25 COMMONWEALTH NAMING OR JOINING THE ONE CALL SYSTEM AS A PARTY, 26 THE COURT SHALL CONDUCT A HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE ONE 27 CALL SYSTEM MAY BE NAMED OR JOINED IN THE ACTION FOR FAILURE TO 28 COMPLY WITH THIS ACT. 29 (D) THE ONE CALL SYSTEM SHALL BE GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF 30 DIRECTORS, TO BE CHOSEN BY THE FACILITY OWNERS. NO LESS THAN 20050H2223B3323 - 46 -
1 TWENTY PERCENT OF THE SEATS ON THE BOARD SHALL BE HELD BY 2 MUNICIPALITIES OR MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES. THE BOARD SHALL INCLUDE 3 ALL OF THE FOLLOWING: 4 (1) THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC UTILITY 5 COMMISSION OR HIS DESIGNEE. 6 (2) THE DIRECTOR OF THE PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 7 AGENCY OR HIS DESIGNEE. 8 (3) THE SECRETARY OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY OR HIS DESIGNEE. 9 (4) THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION OR HIS DESIGNEE. 10 (5) AN EXCAVATOR OR EXCAVATION INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE. 11 (6) A DESIGNER OR DESIGNER INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE. 12 (E) OPERATION COSTS FOR THE ONE CALL SYSTEM SHALL BE SHARED, 13 IN AN EQUITABLE MANNER FOR SERVICES RECEIVED, BY FACILITY OWNER 14 MEMBERS AS DETERMINED BY THE ONE CALL SYSTEM'S BOARD OF 15 DIRECTORS. POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS WITH A POPULATION OF LESS THAN 16 TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE OR MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES HAVING AN AGGREGATE 17 POPULATION IN THE AREA SERVED BY THE MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY OF LESS 18 THAN FIVE THOUSAND PEOPLE SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE PAYMENT OF 19 ANY SERVICE FEE. THE ONE CALL SYSTEM MAY BE REIMBURSED FOR ITS 20 COSTS IN PROVIDING THIS SERVICE FROM THE CONTRACTOR FEES. 21 (F) ALL FEES SHALL BE SET BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND 22 SHALL BE BASED ON THE LATEST ANNUAL AUDITED COST FACTORS OF THE 23 ONE CALL SYSTEM. FEES SHALL BE SET AND ADJUSTED TO A RATE NOT 24 MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ABOVE THE AUDITED COST FACTOR PLUS THE 25 CURRENT AVERAGE PUBLISHED CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR PENNSYLVANIA. 26 COSTS OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE ADDED, IF THE IMPROVEMENT 27 RECEIVES A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 28 (G) AN EXCAVATOR, DESIGNER OR OPERATOR WHO PROPOSES TO 29 COMMENCE EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK AND REQUESTS INFORMATION 30 OF THE ONE CALL SYSTEM SHALL BE CHARGED A FEE FOR THE SERVICE 20050H2223B3323 - 47 -
1 RECEIVED FROM THE ONE CALL SYSTEM. THE FEE SHALL BE USED TO 2 OFFSET THE OPERATION COST LEVIED ON THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION 3 AND MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY MEMBERS IN LIEU OF ADDITIONAL FEES 4 CHARGED FOR LOCATIONS UNDER THIS ACT. 5 (H) ANY REQUEST FOR INFORMATION SHALL BE REVIEWED AND 6 PROVIDED AS DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURE 7 ESTABLISHED BY THE ONE CALL SYSTEM'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 8 SECTION 5. SECTION 4 OF THE ACT, AMENDED DECEMBER 19, 1996 9 (P.L.1460, NO.187), IS AMENDED TO READ: 10 SECTION 4. IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF EACH DESIGNER PREPARING A 11 DRAWING [REQUIRING] WHICH REQUIRES EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK 12 WITHIN THE COMMONWEALTH: 13 (2) TO REQUEST THE LINE AND FACILITY INFORMATION PRESCRIBED 14 BY SECTION 2, CLAUSE (4) FROM [A] THE ONE CALL SYSTEM NOT LESS 15 THAN TEN NOR MORE THAN NINETY [WORKING] BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE 16 FINAL DESIGN IS TO BE COMPLETED. THIS CLAUSE IS NOT INTENDED TO 17 PROHIBIT DESIGNERS FROM OBTAINING SUCH INFORMATION MORE THAN 18 NINETY DAYS BEFORE FINAL DESIGN IS TO BE COMPLETED; HOWEVER, 19 THEY SHALL STATE IN THEIR REQUIREMENTS THAT SUCH WORK IS 20 PRELIMINARY. 21 (2.1) TO FORWARD A COPY OF THE PROJECT PLANS TO EACH 22 FACILITY OWNER WHO REQUESTS A COPY. IF A DESIGNER IS UNABLE TO 23 PROVIDE A COPY BECAUSE OF SECURITY OF THE PROJECT OR PROPRIETARY 24 CONCERNS REGARDING THE DESIGN OR THE PROJECT, THE DESIGNER SHALL 25 NEGOTIATE IN A TIMELY MANNER WITH THE FACILITY OWNER THE MEANS 26 OF OBTAINING THE NECESSARY DATA. 27 (3) TO SHOW UPON THE DRAWING THE POSITION AND TYPE OF EACH 28 FACILITY OWNER'S LINE, DERIVED PURSUANT TO THE REQUEST MADE AS 29 REQUIRED BY CLAUSE (2), AND THE NAME OF THE FACILITY OWNER[, AND 30 THE FACILITY OWNER'S DESIGNATED OFFICE ADDRESS AND THE TELEPHONE 20050H2223B3323 - 48 -
1 NUMBER] AS SHOWN ON THE LIST REFERRED TO IN SECTION 3. 2 (4) TO MAKE A REASONABLE EFFORT TO PREPARE THE CONSTRUCTION 3 DRAWINGS TO AVOID DAMAGE TO AND MINIMIZE INTERFERENCE WITH A 4 FACILITY OWNER'S FACILITIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AREA BY 5 MAINTAINING THE CLEARANCE AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE APPLICABLE 6 EASEMENT CONDITION OR AN EIGHTEEN-INCH CLEARANCE OF THE FACILITY 7 OWNER'S FACILITIES IF NO EASEMENT RESTRICTION EXISTS. 8 (5) A DESIGNER SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MET THE OBLIGATIONS 9 OF CLAUSE (2) IF HE CALLS [A] THE ONE CALL SYSTEM AND SHOWS AS 10 PROOF THE SERIAL NUMBER OF ONE CALL NOTICE ON DRAWINGS. THE 11 DESIGNER SHALL ALSO SHOW THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER OF [A] THE ONE 12 CALL SYSTEM ON THE DRAWING NEAR HIS SERIAL NUMBER. 13 (6) IF, AFTER RECEIVING INFORMATION FROM THE FACILITY 14 OWNERS, THE DESIGNER DECIDES TO CHANGE THE SITE OF A PROPOSED 15 EXCAVATION, THE OBLIGATIONS IMPOSED BY THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY 16 TO THE NEW SITE. 17 (7) THE DESIGNER WHO HAS COMPLIED WITH THE TERMS OF THIS ACT 18 AND WHO WAS NOT OTHERWISE NEGLIGENT SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO 19 LIABILITY OR INCUR ANY OBLIGATION TO FACILITY OWNERS, OPERATORS, 20 OWNERS OR OTHER PERSONS WHO SUSTAIN INJURY TO PERSON OR PROPERTY 21 AS A RESULT OF THE EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION PLANNING WORK OF THE 22 DESIGNER. 23 SECTION 6. SECTION 5 OF THE ACT, AMENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2004 24 (P.L.1567, NO.199), IS AMENDED TO READ: 25 SECTION 5. IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF EACH [CONTRACTOR] 26 EXCAVATOR WHO INTENDS TO PERFORM EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK 27 WITHIN THIS COMMONWEALTH: 28 (2.1) TO REQUEST THE LOCATION AND TYPE OF FACILITY OWNER 29 LINES AT EACH SITE BY NOTIFYING THE FACILITY OWNER THROUGH [A] 30 THE ONE CALL SYSTEM. NOTIFICATION SHALL BE NOT LESS THAN THREE 20050H2223B3323 - 49 -
1 NOR MORE THAN TEN [WORKING] BUSINESS DAYS IN ADVANCE OF 2 BEGINNING EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK. NO WORK SHALL BEGIN 3 EARLIER THAN THE SCHEDULED EXCAVATION DATE WHICH SHALL BE ON OR 4 AFTER THE THIRD BUSINESS DAY AFTER NOTIFICATION. THE SCHEDULED 5 EXCAVATION DATE SHALL EXCLUDE THE DATE UPON WHICH NOTIFICATION 6 WAS RECEIVED BY THE ONE CALL SYSTEM AND NOTIFICATION RECEIVED ON 7 A SATURDAY, SUNDAY OR HOLIDAY, WHICH SHALL BE PROCESSED ON THE 8 FOLLOWING BUSINESS DAY. IN THE CASE OF A COMPLEX PROJECT, 9 NOTIFICATION SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN TEN BUSINESS DAYS IN ADVANCE 10 OF THE BEGINNING OF EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK. 11 (2.2) TO PROVIDE [A] THE ONE CALL SYSTEM WITH SPECIFIC 12 INFORMATION TO IDENTIFY THE SITE SO THAT FACILITY OWNERS MIGHT 13 PROVIDE INDICATIONS OF THEIR LINES. [A CONTRACTOR] AN EXCAVATOR 14 SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MET THE OBLIGATIONS OF CLAUSE (2.1) IF 15 HE CALLS [A] THE ONE CALL SYSTEM, PROVIDES THE SITE AND OTHER 16 REQUIRED INFORMATION AND RECEIVES A SERIAL NUMBER. 17 (3) [IF A CONTRACTOR] IN A COMPLEX PROJECT OR IF AN 18 EXCAVATOR INTENDS TO PERFORM WORK AT MULTIPLE SITES OR OVER A 19 LARGE AREA, HE SHALL TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO WORK WITH FACILITY 20 OWNERS, INCLUDING SCHEDULING AND CONDUCTING A PRECONSTRUCTION 21 MEETING, SO THAT THEY MAY LOCATE THEIR FACILITIES AT A TIME 22 REASONABLY IN ADVANCE OF THE ACTUAL START OF EXCAVATION OR 23 DEMOLITION WORK FOR EACH PHASE OF THE WORK. A PRECONSTRUCTION 24 MEETING MAY TAKE PLACE AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF 25 EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK, AND THE EXCAVATOR, FACILITY 26 OWNERS AND DESIGNER, OR THEIR AGENTS, SHALL ATTEND THE MEETING. 27 NOTICE OF THE MEETING SHALL BE GIVEN SUFFICIENTLY IN ADVANCE SO 28 AS TO PERMIT ATTENDANCE, EITHER IN PERSON OR ELECTRONICALLY, BY 29 THE EXCAVATOR, FACILITY OWNERS AND DESIGNER, OR THEIR AGENTS, 30 AND SHALL INCLUDE INFORMATION SUFFICIENT TO IDENTIFY THE SCOPE 20050H2223B3323 - 50 -
1 OF WORK. IF THE EXCAVATOR DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT A 2 PRECONSTRUCTION MEETING IS NECESSARY UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF 3 THIS PARAGRAPH IT SHALL INDICATE SUCH BELIEF IN ITS NOTICE, BUT 4 ANY FACILITY OWNER WITH FACILITIES AT THE SITE MAY REQUEST A 5 MEETING WITH THE EXCAVATOR AND A MEETING SHALL BE HELD BETWEEN 6 THE FACILITY OWNER AND THE EXCAVATOR. AFTER COMMENCEMENT OF 7 EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK, THE [CONTRACTOR] EXCAVATOR SHALL 8 BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING AND PRESERVING THE STAKING, 9 MARKING OR OTHER DESIGNATION UNTIL NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR PROPER 10 AND SAFE EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK AT OR NEAR THE 11 UNDERGROUND FACILITY, OR BY [CALLING FOR AN ADDITIONAL 12 RELOCATION] CONTACTING THE ONE CALL SYSTEM TO REQUEST THAT THE 13 FACILITIES BE MARKED AGAIN IN THE EVENT THAT THE PREVIOUS 14 MARKINGS HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED OR ELIMINATED. 15 (3.1) TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED BY THE ONE 16 CALL SYSTEM AS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGARDING 17 THE MAXIMUM AREA THAT A NOTIFICATION MAY COVER. 18 (4) TO EXERCISE DUE CARE; AND TO TAKE ALL REASONABLE STEPS 19 NECESSARY TO AVOID INJURY TO OR OTHERWISE INTERFERE WITH ALL 20 LINES WHERE POSITIONS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO THE [CONTRACTOR] 21 EXCAVATOR BY THE FACILITY OWNERS PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (5) OF 22 SECTION 2. WITHIN THE TOLERANCE ZONE [OR IF INSUFFICIENT 23 INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (5) OF SECTION 2, 24 THE CONTRACTOR] THE EXCAVATOR SHALL EMPLOY PRUDENT TECHNIQUES, 25 WHICH MAY INCLUDE HAND-DUG TEST HOLES, TO ASCERTAIN THE PRECISE 26 POSITION OF SUCH FACILITIES[,]. IF INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO 27 SAFELY EXCAVATE IS AVAILABLE PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (5) OF SECTION 28 2, THE EXCAVATOR SHALL EMPLOY LIKE PRUDENT TECHNIQUES WHICH 29 SHALL BE PAID FOR BY THE OWNER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (15) OF THIS 30 SECTION. 20050H2223B3323 - 51 -
1 (5) IF THE FACILITY OWNER FAILS TO RESPOND TO THE 2 [CONTRACTOR'S TIMELY REQUEST WITHIN THE TWO WORK DAYS] 3 EXCAVATOR'S TIMELY REQUEST AS PROVIDED UNDER CLAUSE (5) OF 4 SECTION 2 OR THE FACILITY OWNER NOTIFIES THE [CONTRACTOR] 5 EXCAVATOR THAT THE LINE CANNOT BE MARKED WITHIN THE TIME FRAME 6 AND A MUTUALLY AGREEABLE DATE FOR MARKING CANNOT BE ARRIVED AT, 7 THE [CONTRACTOR] EXCAVATOR MAY PROCEED WITH EXCAVATION [AT THE 8 END OF THREE WORKING DAYS] AS SCHEDULED, BUT NOT EARLIER THAN 9 THE LAWFUL DIG DATE, PROVIDED HE EXERCISES DUE CARE IN HIS 10 ENDEAVORS, SUBJECT TO THE LIMITATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS CLAUSE 11 AND CLAUSES (2.1) THROUGH (4). 12 (6) TO INFORM EACH OPERATOR EMPLOYED BY THE [CONTRACTOR] 13 EXCAVATOR AT THE SITE OF SUCH WORK OF THE INFORMATION OBTAINED 14 BY THE [CONTRACTOR] EXCAVATOR PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (2.1) THROUGH 15 (5), AND THE [CONTRACTOR] EXCAVATOR AND OPERATOR SHALL: 16 (I) PLAN THE EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION TO AVOID DAMAGE TO OR 17 MINIMIZE INTERFERENCE WITH A FACILITY OWNER'S FACILITIES IN THE 18 CONSTRUCTION AREA. EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK WHICH REQUIRES 19 TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT INTERRUPTION OF A FACILITY OWNER'S 20 SERVICE SHALL BE COORDINATED WITH THE AFFECTED FACILITY OWNER IN 21 ALL CASES. 22 (II) AFTER CONSULTING WITH A FACILITY OWNER, PROVIDE SUCH 23 SUPPORT AND MECHANICAL PROTECTION FOR KNOWN FACILITY OWNER'S 24 LINES AT THE CONSTRUCTION SITE DURING THE EXCAVATION OR 25 DEMOLITION WORK, INCLUDING DURING BACKFILLING OPERATIONS, AS MAY 26 BE REASONABLY NECESSARY FOR THE PROTECTION OF SUCH LINES. 27 (7) TO REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THE FACILITY OWNER ANY BREAK OR 28 LEAK ON ITS LINES, OR ANY DENT, GOUGE, GROOVE OR OTHER DAMAGE TO 29 SUCH LINES OR TO THEIR COATING OR CATHODIC PROTECTION, MADE OR 30 DISCOVERED IN THE COURSE OF THE EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK. 20050H2223B3323 - 52 -
1 THE ONE CALL SYSTEM BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY ADOPT PROCEDURES TO 2 PERMIT REPORTING UNDER THIS CLAUSE THROUGH THE ONE CALL SYSTEM. 3 (8) [TO ALERT IMMEDIATELY THE OCCUPANTS OF PREMISES AS TO 4 ANY EMERGENCY THAT SUCH PERSON MAY CREATE OR DISCOVER AT OR NEAR 5 SUCH PREMISES.] TO IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY 911 AND THE FACILITY 6 OWNER, IF THE DAMAGE RESULTS IN THE ESCAPE OF ANY FLAMMABLE, 7 TOXIC, OR CORROSIVE GAS OR LIQUID WHICH ENDANGERS LIFE, HEALTH 8 OR PROPERTY. THE EXCAVATOR SHALL TAKE REASONABLE MEASURES, BASED 9 ON ITS KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING, RESOURCES, EXPERIENCE AND 10 UNDERSTANDING OF THE SITUATION TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THOSE 11 IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, THE GENERAL PUBLIC, PROPERTY AND THE 12 ENVIRONMENT UNTIL THE FACILITY OWNER OR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS 13 HAVE ARRIVED AND COMPLETED THEIR ASSESSMENT AND SHALL REMAIN ON 14 SITE TO CONVEY ANY PERTINENT INFORMATION TO RESPONDERS THAT MAY 15 HELP THEM TO SAFELY MITIGATE THE SITUATION. 16 (9) THE TIME REQUIREMENTS OF CLAUSE (2.1) SHALL NOT APPLY TO 17 A FACILITY OWNER OR [CONTRACTOR] EXCAVATOR PERFORMING EXCAVATION 18 OR DEMOLITION WORK IN AN EMERGENCY, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 1; 19 NONETHELESS, ALL FACILITY OWNERS SHALL BE NOTIFIED AS SOON AS 20 POSSIBLE BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION, 21 DEPENDING UPON THE CIRCUMSTANCES. 22 (11) [A CONTRACTOR] AN EXCAVATOR SHALL USE THE COLOR WHITE 23 TO MARK A PROPOSED EXCAVATION SITE WHEN EXACT SITE INFORMATION 24 CANNOT BE PROVIDED. 25 (11.1) TO ASSIST A FACILITY OWNER IN DETERMINING INVOLVEMENT 26 OF A FACILITY OWNER'S LINES BY DISCLOSING ADDITIONAL AVAILABLE 27 INFORMATION REQUESTED BY THE FACILITY OWNER, INCLUDING 28 DIMENSIONS AND THE DIRECTION OF PROPOSED EXCAVATIONS. 29 (11.2) IF USING HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING (HDD), AT A 30 MINIMUM, TO UTILIZE THE BEST PRACTICES PUBLISHED BY THE HDD 20050H2223B3323 - 53 -
1 CONSORTIUM. 2 (12) THE FOLLOWING STANDARDS SHALL BE APPLIED IN DETERMINING 3 WHETHER [A CONTRACTOR] AN EXCAVATOR SHALL INCUR ANY OBLIGATION 4 OR BE SUBJECT TO LIABILITY AS A RESULT OF [A CONTRACTOR'S] AN 5 EXCAVATOR'S DEMOLITION OR EXCAVATION WORK DAMAGING A FACILITY 6 OWNER'S FACILITIES: 7 (I) THE [CONTRACTOR] EXCAVATOR WHO HAS COMPLIED WITH THE 8 TERMS OF THIS ACT AND WHO WAS NOT OTHERWISE NEGLIGENT SHALL NOT 9 BE SUBJECT TO LIABILITY OR INCUR ANY OBLIGATION TO FACILITY 10 OWNERS, OPERATORS, PROJECT OWNERS OR OTHER PERSONS WHO SUSTAIN 11 INJURY TO PERSON OR PROPERTY AS A RESULT OF THE [CONTRACTOR'S] 12 EXCAVATOR'S EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK DAMAGING A FACILITY 13 OWNER'S LINES. 14 (II) WHERE [A CONTRACTOR] AN EXCAVATOR HAS FAILED TO COMPLY 15 WITH THE TERMS OF THIS ACT OR WAS OTHERWISE NEGLIGENT, AND THE 16 FACILITY OWNER OR DESIGNER HAS MISIDENTIFIED, MISLOCATED OR 17 FAILED TO IDENTIFY ITS FACILITIES PURSUANT TO THIS ACT, THEN IN 18 COMPUTING THE AMOUNT OF REIMBURSEMENT TO WHICH THE FACILITY 19 OWNER IS ENTITLED, THE COST OF REPAIRING OR REPLACING ITS 20 FACILITIES SHALL BE DIMINISHED IN THE SAME PROPORTION THAT THE 21 FACILITY OWNER'S OR DESIGNER'S MISIDENTIFICATION, MISLOCATION OR 22 FAILURE TO IDENTIFY THE FACILITIES CONTRIBUTED TO THE DAMAGE. 23 SHOULD THE FACILITY OWNER OR DESIGNER NOT HAVE MISIDENTIFIED, 24 MISLOCATED OR FAILED TO IDENTIFY ITS FACILITIES PURSUANT TO THIS 25 ACT, THERE SHALL BE NO DIMINUTION OF THE FACILITY OWNER'S RIGHT 26 OF RECOVERY. 27 (13) IF, AFTER RECEIVING INFORMATION FROM [A] THE ONE CALL 28 SYSTEM OR DIRECTLY FROM A FACILITY OWNER, THE [CONTRACTOR] 29 EXCAVATOR DECIDES TO CHANGE THE LOCATION, SCOPE OR DURATION OF A 30 PROPOSED EXCAVATION, THE OBLIGATIONS IMPOSED BY THIS SECTION 20050H2223B3323 - 54 -
1 SHALL APPLY TO THE NEW LOCATION. 2 (14) IF [A CONTRACTOR] AN EXCAVATOR REMOVES ITS EQUIPMENT 3 AND VACATES A WORKSITE FOR MORE THAN TWO [WORKING] BUSINESS 4 DAYS, HE SHALL RENOTIFY [A] THE ONE CALL SYSTEM UNLESS OTHER 5 ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE DIRECTLY WITH THE FACILITY OWNERS 6 INVOLVED IN HIS WORKSITE. 7 (15) WHEN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED FROM THE FACILITY OWNER 8 UNDER CLAUSE (5)(I) OF SECTION 2 CANNOT BE PROVIDED OR DUE TO 9 THE NATURE OF THE INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM THE FACILITY OWNER, 10 IT IS REASONABLY NECESSARY FOR THE [CONTRACTOR] EXCAVATOR TO 11 ASCERTAIN THE PRECISE LOCATION OF ANY LINE OR ABANDONED OR 12 UNCLAIMED LINES BY PRUDENT TECHNIQUES, WHICH MAY INCLUDE HAND- 13 DUG TEST HOLES, VACUUM EXCAVATION OR OTHER SIMILAR DEVICES, THE 14 [CONTRACTOR] EXCAVATOR SHALL PROMPTLY NOTIFY THE PROJECT OWNER 15 OR THE PROJECT OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE, EITHER ORALLY OR IN 16 WRITING. AFTER GIVING SUCH NOTICE, THE [CONTRACTOR] EXCAVATOR 17 SHALL BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION FROM THE PROJECT OWNER FOR 18 THIS ADDITIONAL WORK AS PROVIDED IN THE LATEST EDITION OF THE 19 PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FORM 408 20 SPECIFICATIONS FOR EXTRA WORK PERFORMED ON A FORCE ACCOUNT 21 BASIS. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO 22 LIMIT ANY OTHER RIGHTS WHICH THE [CONTRACTOR] EXCAVATOR HAS 23 UNDER ITS CONTRACT WITH THE PROJECT OWNER OR OTHERWISE. 24 PROVISIONS IN ANY CONTRACT, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, WHICH ATTEMPT TO 25 LIMIT THE RIGHTS OF [CONTRACTORS] EXCAVATORS UNDER THIS SECTION 26 SHALL NOT BE [WAIVED] VALID FOR ANY REASON, AND ANY ATTEMPTED 27 WAIVER OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE VOID AND UNENFORCEABLE AS 28 AGAINST PUBLIC POLICY AND ANY SUCH ATTEMPTED WAIVER SHALL BE 29 REPORTED TO THE [DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY] DEPARTMENT. 30 (16) TO SUBMIT AN INCIDENT REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT NOT MORE 20050H2223B3323 - 55 -
1 THAN TEN [WORKING] BUSINESS DAYS AFTER STRIKING OR OTHERWISE 2 DAMAGING A FACILITY OWNER'S LINE DURING EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION 3 ACTIVITIES THAT RESULTED IN PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE 4 TO PARTIES OTHER THAN THE AFFECTED [CONTRACTOR] EXCAVATOR OR 5 FACILITY OWNER. IN ADDITION, THE INCIDENT REPORT MAY BE 6 FURNISHED TO THE PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION AND THE 7 PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY PURSUANT TO MEMORANDA 8 OF UNDERSTANDING NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THESE AGENCIES AND THE 9 DEPARTMENT. 10 (17) TO COMPLY WITH ALL REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION BY THE 11 DEPARTMENT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT'S ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY 12 UNDER THIS ACT WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THE RECEIPT OF THE REQUEST. 13 (18) TO, IF IT CHOOSES TO DO SO AND IF WORKING FOR A 14 FACILITY OWNER, A MUNICIPALITY OR A MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY, 15 DELEGATE THE POWER TO DISCHARGE THE DUTIES SET FORTH IN CLAUSES 16 (2.1) AND (2.2) TO ITS PROJECT OWNER, WITH THE PROJECT OWNER'S 17 CONSENT. IF THE POWER IS DELEGATED PURSUANT TO THIS CLAUSE, BOTH 18 THE EXCAVATOR AND THE PROJECT OWNER SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR 19 PROVIDING THE REQUIRED NOTICES. 20 (19) TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED TO 21 THE ONE CALL SYSTEM PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. 22 SECTION 7. SECTION 6 OF THE ACT, AMENDED DECEMBER 12, 1986 23 (P.L.1574, NO.172), IS AMENDED TO READ: 24 SECTION 6. [THIS] EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS ACT, 25 THIS ACT SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO AMEND OR REPEAL ANY OTHER LAW, 26 COMMONWEALTH REGULATION OR ANY LOCAL ORDINANCE ENACTED PURSUANT 27 TO LAW CONCERNING THE SAME SUBJECT MATTER, IT BEING THE 28 LEGISLATIVE INTENT THAT ANY SUCH OTHER LAW OR LOCAL ORDINANCE 29 SHALL HAVE FULL FORCE AND EFFECT WHERE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH 30 THIS ACT. 20050H2223B3323 - 56 -
1 SECTION 8. THE ACT IS AMENDED BY ADDING SECTIONS TO READ: 2 SECTION 6.1. IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF EACH PROJECT OWNER WHO 3 ENGAGES IN EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK TO BE DONE WITHIN THIS 4 COMMONWEALTH: 5 (1) TO UTILIZE SUBSURFACE UTILITY ENGINEERING OR OTHER 6 SIMILAR TECHNIQUES, WHEREVER PRACTICABLE, WHEN DESIGNING COMPLEX 7 PROJECTS HAVING AN ESTIMATED COST OF FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND 8 DOLLARS ($500,000) OR MORE. 9 (2) TO TIMELY RESPOND TO NOTIFICATIONS RECEIVED FROM 10 EXCAVATORS PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (15) OF SECTION 5. 11 (3) TO NOT RELEASE TO BID OR CONSTRUCTION ANY PROJECT UNTIL 12 AFTER FINAL DESIGN IS COMPLETED. 13 (4) TO PARTICIPATE IN DESIGN AND PRECONSTRUCTION MEETINGS 14 EITHER DIRECTLY OR THROUGH A REPRESENTATIVE. 15 (5) TO FURNISH THE PERTINENT DATA OBTAINED THROUGH 16 SUBSURFACE UTILITY ENGINEERING TO THE ONE CALL SYSTEM IN A 17 MUTUALLY AGREEABLE FORMAT. 18 (6) FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION AND WHERE PRACTICABLE IN THE 19 OPINION OF THE PROJECT OWNER, TO INSTALL COLOR-CODED PERMANENT 20 MARKERS TO INDICATE THE TYPE AND LOCATION OF ALL LATERALS 21 INSTALLED BY THE PROJECT OWNER. 22 SECTION 7. (A) THE AUDITOR GENERAL MAY REVIEW MANAGEMENT 23 AND FINANCIAL AUDITS OF THE ONE CALL SYSTEM, WHICH AUDITS SHALL 24 BE PERFORMED BY A QUALIFIED AUDITING FIRM WITHIN THIS 25 COMMONWEALTH. A COPY OF THE AUDIT SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE 26 AUDITOR GENERAL UPON ITS COMPLETION AND TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 27 BY OCTOBER 31 OF THE YEAR FOLLOWING THE END OF THE AUDIT PERIOD. 28 THE COST OF REASONABLE EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE AUDITOR GENERAL 29 IN PERFORMING THE OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE 30 REIMBURSED BY THE ONE CALL SYSTEM. THE FEES SHALL NOT BE 20050H2223B3323 - 57 -
1 INCONSISTENT WITH THOSE OF COMMERCIAL AUDITING FIRMS FOR SIMILAR 2 WORK. 3 (B) THE AUDITOR GENERAL, FOR THE PURPOSES SET FORTH IN 4 SUBSECTION (A), AND ANY CONTRACTOR, EXCAVATOR, FACILITY OWNER OR 5 MEMBER OF THE ONE CALL SYSTEM SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT DURING 6 REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS TO INSPECT AND COPY ANY RECORD, BOOK, 7 ACCOUNT, DOCUMENT OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE 8 PROVISION OF ONE CALL SERVICES BY THE ONE CALL SYSTEM, AT THE 9 COST DETERMINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 10 (C) THE ONE CALL SYSTEM SHALL SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO ITS 11 MEMBERS, AND A COPY OF THE REPORT SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE 12 AUDITOR GENERAL. 13 SECTION 9. SECTION 7.1 OF THE ACT, AMENDED DECEMBER 19, 1996 14 (P.L.1460, NO.187), IS AMENDED TO READ: 15 [SECTION 7.1. 16 (B) A ONE CALL SYSTEM SHALL BE GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF 17 DIRECTORS, TO BE CHOSEN BY THE FACILITY OWNERS. NO LESS THAN 18 TWENTY PERCENT OF THE SEATS ON THE BOARD SHALL BE HELD BY 19 MUNICIPALITIES OR MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES. THE BOARD SHALL INCLUDE 20 THE FOLLOWING: 21 (1) THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC UTILITY 22 COMMISSION OR HIS DESIGNEE. 23 (2) THE DIRECTOR OF THE PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 24 AGENCY OR HIS DESIGNEE. 25 (3) THE SECRETARY OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY OR HIS DESIGNEE. 26 (4) THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION OR HIS DESIGNEE. 27 (5) A CONTRACTOR OR INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE. 28 (6) A DESIGNER OR INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE. 29 (B.1) ALL FEES ARE TO BE SET BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND 30 SHALL BE BASED ON THE LATEST ANNUAL AUDITED COST FACTORS OF A 20050H2223B3323 - 58 -
1 ONE CALL SYSTEM. FEES SHALL BE SET AND ADJUSTED TO A RATE NOT 2 MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ABOVE THE AUDITED COST FACTOR PLUS THE 3 CURRENT AVERAGE PUBLISHED CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR PENNSYLVANIA. 4 COSTS OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE ADDED, PROVIDED THE 5 IMPROVEMENT RECEIVES A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 6 (C) THE AUDITOR GENERAL, FOR THE PURPOSES SET FORTH IN 7 SUBSECTION (C.1), AND ANY CONTRACTOR, FACILITY OWNER OR MEMBER 8 OF A ONE CALL SYSTEM SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT AT ANY TIME TO INSPECT 9 AND COPY ANY RECORD, BOOK, ACCOUNT, DOCUMENT OR ANY OTHER 10 INFORMATION RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF ONE CALL SERVICES BY A 11 ONE CALL SYSTEM AT HIS OWN COST. 12 (C.1) THE AUDITOR GENERAL SHALL CONDUCT A BIENNIAL 13 PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL AUDIT OF A ONE CALL SYSTEM. A COPY OF 14 THE AUDIT CONDUCTED BY THE AUDITOR GENERAL UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH 15 SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NO LATER THAN ONE 16 HUNDRED AND EIGHTY DAYS FOLLOWING THE END OF THE AUDIT PERIOD. 17 THE ACTUAL COST OF REASONABLE EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE AUDITOR 18 GENERAL IN PERFORMING HIS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL 19 BE REIMBURSED BY A ONE CALL SYSTEM. SUCH FEES SHALL NOT BE 20 INCONSISTENT WITH THOSE OF COMMERCIAL AUDITING FIRMS FOR SIMILAR 21 WORK. 22 (C.2) A ONE CALL SYSTEM SHALL SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO ITS 23 MEMBERS, AND A COPY OF THE REPORT SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE 24 GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 25 (G) ANY CONTRACTOR, DESIGNER OR OPERATOR WHO PROPOSES TO 26 COMMENCE EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION WORK AND REQUESTS INFORMATION 27 OF A ONE CALL SYSTEM SHALL BE CHARGED A FEE FOR THE SERVICE 28 RECEIVED FROM A ONE CALL SYSTEM. SUCH FEE SHALL BE USED TO 29 OFFSET THE OPERATION COST LEVIED ON THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION 30 AND MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY MEMBERS IN LIEU OF ADDITIONAL FEES 20050H2223B3323 - 59 -
1 CHARGED FOR LOCATIONS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THIS ACT.] 2 SECTION 10. SECTION 7.2 OF THE ACT, AMENDED NOVEMBER 30, 3 2004 (P.L.1567, NO.199), IS AMENDED TO READ: 4 SECTION 7.2. (A) ANY PERSON VIOLATING ANY OF THE PROVISIONS 5 OF THIS ACT, EXCEPT CLAUSES (1) AND (2) OF SECTION 2, COMMITS A 6 SUMMARY OFFENSE AND SHALL, UPON CONVICTION, BE SENTENCED TO PAY 7 A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS 8 ($2,500) NOR MORE THAN [TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($25,000)] 9 FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000) OR UNDERGO IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT 10 MORE THAN NINETY DAYS, OR BOTH. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE 11 COMMONWEALTH OR ANY DISTRICT ATTORNEY MAY ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS 12 OF THIS ACT IN ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION. THE 13 DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MAY ALSO 14 ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT IN ANY COURT OF COMPETENT 15 JURISDICTION. A FACILITY OWNER MAY PETITION ANY COURT OF 16 COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO ENJOIN ANY EXCAVATION OR DEMOLITION 17 WORK CONDUCTED IN VIOLATION OF THIS ACT. LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT 18 OR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL MAY, IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC 19 SAFETY, ORDER EXCAVATORS ON A SITE TO STOP FURTHER EXCAVATION, 20 IF THE EXCAVATION IS BEING CONDUCTED IN VIOLATION OF THIS ACT. 21 (B) FINES LEVIED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) SHALL BE DETERMINED 22 ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE: 23 (1) WHERE VIOLATIONS RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE THAT DOES NOT 24 EXCEED THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($3,000), THE FINE SHALL NOT 25 EXCEED [THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($3,000)] FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS 26 ($5,000). 27 (2) WHERE VIOLATIONS RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE OF MORE THAN 28 THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($3,000), THE FINE SHALL NOT EXCEED [FIVE 29 THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5,000)] TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000). 30 (3) FOR VIOLATIONS WHICH RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, 20050H2223B3323 - 60 -
1 THE FINE SHALL NOT EXCEED [TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS
2 ($25,000)] FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000).
3 (C) THE FOLLOWING FACTORS SHALL BE CONSIDERED IN DETERMINING
4 THE FINE TO BE ASSESSED:
5 (1) THE DEGREE OF THE PARTY'S COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATUTE
6 PRIOR TO DATE OF THE VIOLATION.
7 (2) THE AMOUNT OF PERSONAL AND PROPERTY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE
8 PARTY'S NONCOMPLIANCE.
9 (3) THE DEGREE OF THREAT TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND
10 INCONVENIENCE CAUSED BY THE PARTY'S NONCOMPLIANCE.
11 (4) THE PARTY'S PLANS AND PROCEDURES TO INSURE FUTURE
12 COMPLIANCE WITH STATUTES AND REGULATIONS.
13 (C.1) IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER SANCTIONS PROVIDED BY THIS
14 ACT, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE WARNINGS
15 AND ORDERS REQUIRING COMPLIANCE WITH THIS ACT AND MAY LEVY
16 ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT. ANY
17 WARNING, ORDER OR PENALTY SHALL BE SERVED ON THE PERSON OR
18 ENTITY VIOLATING THE ACT AT THEIR LAST KNOWN ADDRESS. THE
19 DEPARTMENT SHALL CONSIDER THE FACTORS SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION
20 (C) IN DETERMINING THE ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY TO BE ASSESSED.
21 ANY PARTY AGGRIEVED BY THE IMPOSITION OF AN ORDER OR
22 ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY IMPOSED BY THE DEPARTMENT MAY APPEAL SUCH
23 ORDER OR PENALTY AS PROVIDED IN 2 PA.C.S. CH. 5 SUBCH. A
24 (RELATING TO PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE OF COMMONWEALTH AGENCIES)
25 AND CH. 7 SUBCH. A (RELATING TO REVIEW OF COMMONWEALTH AGENCY
26 ACTION).
27 (C.2) ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES IMPOSED BY THE DEPARTMENT
28 UNDER SUBSECTION (C.1) SHALL BE DETERMINED ACCORDING TO THE
29 FOLLOWING SCHEDULE:
30 (1) ANY PERSON OR ENTITY VIOLATING THE PROVISIONS OF CLAUSES
20050H2223B3323 - 61 -
1 (1) AND (2) OF SECTION 2 MAY BE SUBJECT TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE 2 PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500) PER DAY. EACH 3 DAY OF NONCOMPLIANCE SHALL CONSTITUTE A SEPARATE VIOLATION. 4 (2) ANY PERSON OR ENTITY RECEIVING THREE OR MORE WARNINGS IN 5 A CALENDAR YEAR MAY BE SUBJECT TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY NOT 6 TO EXCEED FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500). 7 (3) WHERE VIOLATIONS RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE THAT DOES NOT 8 EXCEED TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000), THE ADMINISTRATIVE 9 PENALTY MAY NOT EXCEED ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000). 10 (4) WHERE VIOLATIONS RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE OF MORE THAN 11 TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000), THE ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY MAY 12 NOT EXCEED FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5,000). 13 (5) FOR VIOLATIONS THAT RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, 14 THE ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY MAY NOT EXCEED TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS 15 ($10,000). 16 (D) ALL FINES AND PENALTIES RECOVERED UNDER THIS SECTION 17 SHALL BE PAYABLE TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, DISTRICT ATTORNEY OR 18 THE DEPARTMENT, WHICHEVER BROUGHT THE ACTION, AND COLLECTED IN 19 THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR BY LAW. [TO THE EXTENT THAT THE EXPENSES 20 INCURRED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN ENFORCING THIS ACT EXCEED THE 21 FINES COLLECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER THIS SECTION, THE 22 DEPARTMENT MAY ASSESS A CHARGE FOR THE REMAINING REASONABLE 23 EXPENSES FROM A ONE CALL SYSTEM PURSUANT TO A WRITTEN AGREEMENT 24 BETWEEN THE PARTIES.] ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES COLLECTED BY THE 25 DEPARTMENT MAY BE EXPENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR COSTS RELATED 26 TO ITS ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES AND TO SPONSOR DAMAGE PREVENTION 27 ACTIVITIES OF THE ONE CALL SYSTEM. 28 (E) THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT SHALL NOT AFFECT ANY CIVIL 29 REMEDIES FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, EXCEPT AS 30 OTHERWISE SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED FOR IN THIS ACT. 20050H2223B3323 - 62 -
1 (F) THE SECRETARY OR HIS DESIGNEE SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY 2 TO ISSUE SUBPOENAS, UPON APPLICATION OF AN ATTORNEY RESPONSIBLE 3 FOR REPRESENTING THE COMMONWEALTH IN ACTIONS BEFORE THE 4 DEPARTMENT, FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATING ALLEGED VIOLATIONS 5 OF THIS ACT. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO SUBPOENA 6 WITNESSES AND COMPEL THE PRODUCTION OF BOOKS, RECORDS, PAPERS 7 AND DOCUMENTS AS IT DEEMS NECESSARY OR PERTINENT TO AN 8 INVESTIGATION OR HEARING. 9 SECTION 11. SECTION 7.6 OF THE ACT, ADDED DECEMBER 19, 1996 10 (P.L.1460, NO.187), IS AMENDED TO READ: 11 [SECTION 7.6. THIS ACT SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY OF THE 12 FOLLOWING PIPELINE SYSTEMS AND FACILITIES: 13 (1) OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION OR GATHERING PIPELINE SYSTEMS 14 CONSTRUCTED WITH PIPE MEASURING LESS THAN THREE INCHES INSIDE 15 DIAMETER WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO COLLECT AND TRANSPORT CRUDE OIL 16 OR NATURAL GAS FROM THE WELLHEAD TO THE POINT OF CUSTODY 17 TRANSFER, PROVIDED SUCH SYSTEMS ARE PERMANENTLY MARKED OR STAKED 18 WHERE THEY CROSS PUBLIC HIGHWAY RIGHTS-OF-WAY OR THE BOUNDARY OF 19 PROPERTY WHICH IS OWNED IN FEE BY THE OWNER OF THE GATHERING 20 PIPELINE SYSTEM. 21 (2) ANY CONTINUOUS ONE-MILE LENGTH OF A CRUDE OIL OR NATURAL 22 GAS PRODUCTION OR GATHERING PIPELINE SYSTEM CONSTRUCTED WITH 23 PIPE MEASURING THREE INCHES INSIDE DIAMETER OR LARGER WHICH IS 24 DESIGNED PRINCIPALLY TO COLLECT AND TRANSPORT CRUDE OIL OR 25 NATURAL GAS FROM THE WELLHEAD TO THE POINT OF CUSTODY TRANSFER 26 WHERE NO MORE THAN FIFTY BUILDINGS INTENDED FOR PERMANENT 27 RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCY ARE LOCATED WITHIN TWO HUNDRED TWENTY 28 YARDS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CENTER LINE OF THE ONE-MILE LENGTH 29 OF PIPELINE.] 30 SECTION 12. THE ACT IS AMENDED BY ADDING SECTIONS TO READ: 20050H2223B3323 - 63 -
1 SECTION 7.7. THE ONE CALL SYSTEM SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO 2 DESIGN, ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER A VOLUNTARY DISPUTE RESOLUTION 3 PROCESS WHICH MAY BE USED BY EXCAVATORS, FACILITY OWNERS, 4 DESIGNERS, PROJECT OWNERS AND OTHER INVOLVED PERSONS. THE 5 PROCESS SHALL PROVIDE FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION PANELS SELECTED 6 FROM AMONG A LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES OF STAKEHOLDER GROUPS, 7 INCLUDING FACILITY OWNERS, EXCAVATORS, DESIGNERS AND REGULATORS. 8 THE PROCESS ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE USED TO 9 SETTLE OR RESOLVE ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT NOR MAY INVOLVE 10 ANY ISSUES RELATED TO THE DEPARTMENT'S ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES. 11 SECTION 7.8. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR BY THIS ACT, A 12 PERSON SHALL USE THEIR BEST EFFORTS TO COMPLY WITH THE COMMON 13 GROUND ALLIANCE BEST PRACTICES. 14 SECTION 7.9. NO PERSON SHALL INTENTIONALLY REMOVE OR TAMPER 15 WITH A MARKING PROVIDED FOR UNDER THIS ACT. 16 SECTION 13. SECTION 7.7 OF THE ACT, ADDED DECEMBER 19, 1996 17 (P.L.1460, NO.187), IS AMENDED TO READ: 18 SECTION [7.7] 7.10. THIS ACT SHALL EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 19 [2006] 2016. 20 SECTION 14. REPEALS ARE AS FOLLOWS: 21 (1) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECLARES THAT THE REPEAL UNDER 22 PARAGRAPH (2) IS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE AMENDMENT OF THE 23 TITLE OF THE ACT AND TO CAUSE CERTAIN LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS 24 FACILITIES OR DISTRIBUTORS TO BE SUBJECT TO THIS ACT. 25 (2) THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 19 OF THE ACT OF JUNE 19, 26 2002 (P.L.421, NO.61), KNOWN AS THE PROPANE AND LIQUEFIED 27 PETROLEUM GAS ACT, ARE REPEALED TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY 28 PROHIBIT CERTAIN LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS FACILITIES OR 29 DISTRIBUTORS, OTHER THAN FACILITY OWNERS AS DEFINED IN 30 SECTION 1 OF THE ACT, FROM BEING SUBJECT TO THE ACT. 20050H2223B3323 - 64 -
1 SECTION 15. THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IN 60 DAYS. J12L66JLW/20050H2223B3323 - 65 -