An Act To Correct an Inconsistency in the So-called Dig Safe Law

Sec. 1. 23 MRSA §3360-A, sub-§3, ¶E,  as amended by PL 2013, c. 557, §1, is further amended to read:

Sec. 2. Rules. The Public Utilities Commission shall amend Sections 4(B)(1)(a) and 4(B)(1)(d) of Rule Chapter 895: Underground Facility Damage Prevention Requirements to be consistent with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 23, section 3360-A, subsection 3, paragraph E. Notwithstanding Title 23, section 3360-A, subsection 13, rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

summary

This bill aims to correct an inconsistency in the so-called Dig Safe Law. It requires that an excavation must commence within 30 days after notification by an excavator to the underground facility damage prevention system and requires that if work is not completed within 60 calendar days of notification, an excavator must again notify the system in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 23, section 3360-A.

This bill is reported out by the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology pursuant to Public Law 2013, chapter 557, section 3. The law directed the Public Utilities Commission to review Public Utilities Commission Rule Chapter 895: Underground Facility Damage Prevention Requirements. The commission submitted a report to the committee and made recommendations based on this review and after receiving stakeholder input.