{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/56-265.19.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/56-265.19.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/56-265.19.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/56-265.19.html"}],"law_id":56575,"edition_id":1,"section_id":56575,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.19","catch_line":"Duties of operator; regulations","history":"1979, c. 291; 1980, c. 696; 1994, c. 890; 1996, c. 79; 2002, c. 841; 2005, c. 395; 2023, cc. 299, 300.","full_text":"A\n\nIf a proposed excavation or demolition is planned in such proximity to the underground utility line that the utility line may be destroyed, damaged, dislocated, or disturbed, the operator shall mark the approximate horizontal location of the underground utility line on the ground to within two feet of either side of the underground utility line by means of stakes, paint, flags, or a combination thereof. The operator or contract locator shall mark the underground utility line and report the marking status to the positive response system by no later than 7:00 a.m. on the third working day following the excavator’s locate request, unless a scheduled excavation date is provided by the excavator to the notification center or the operator or contract locator is unable to do so due to extraordinary or exigent circumstances. Any scheduled excavation date shall not be less than 48 hours nor more than 12 working days from the date of the locate request. If a scheduled excavation date is provided by the excavator to the notification center, the operator or contract locator shall mark the underground utility line and report the marking status to the positive response system by no later than 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled day of excavation. Any locate request made on a day that is not a working day shall be considered as having been submitted to the notification center on the next working day at 7:00 a.m. If the operator is unable to mark the location within the time allowed under this section due to extraordinary or exigent circumstances, the operator shall notify directly the person who proposes to excavate or demolish and shall, in addition, notify the person of the date and time when the location will be marked. The deferral to mark for extraordinary or exigent circumstances shall be no longer than 96 hours from 7:00 a.m. on the next working day following the locate request, unless a longer time is otherwise agreed upon by the operator and excavator. The operator shall also inform the notification center of any deferral.B\n\nIf a proposed excavation or demolition is not planned in such proximity to the operator’s underground utility lines that the utility line may be damaged, the operator shall so report to the notification center’s positive response system no later than 7:00 a.m. on the third working day following the excavator’s locate request.C\n\nAn operator shall participate in all preplanning and preconstruction meetings originated by state, county or municipal authorities relating to proposed construction projects which may affect the operator’s existing or future utility lines and shall cooperate in implementing decisions reached in such preplanning and preconstruction meetings.D\n\nAny contract locator acting on behalf of an operator and failing to perform the duties imposed by this chapter shall be subject to the liabilities in § 56-265.25 and the civil penalties in § 56-265.32.E\n\nLocators shall be trained in applicable locating industry standards and practices no less stringent than the National Utility Locating Contractors Association’s locator training standards and practices. Each locator’s training shall be documented. Such documents shall be maintained by the operator or contract locator.F\n\nThe Commission shall be authorized to adopt regulations designating: (i) letters for each operator to be used in conjunction with marking of underground utility lines, and (ii) symbols for marking of underground utility lines, in compliance with subdivision 2 of § 56-265.17:3. Such letter designation and marking symbols shall be in accordance with industry standards.G\n\nFor underground utility lines abandoned after July 1, 2002, operators shall make a reasonable attempt to keep records of these abandoned utility lines, excluding service lines connected to a single-family dwelling unit. When an operator has knowledge that the operator’s abandoned utility lines may be present within the area of the proposed excavation, the operator shall provide a response to the positive response system. Such information regarding abandoned lines shall be for informational purposes only. An operator shall not be liable to any person, or subject to civil penalties, as a result of the operator’s providing incorrect information regarding abandoned lines or the subsequent use of such information. The positive response system may refer any person with concerns about the accuracy of information regarding abandoned lines to the appropriate operator.H\n\nAn operator shall respond to an emergency notice as soon as possible but no later than three hours from the excavator’s contact to the notification center.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":207054,"text":"If a proposed excavation or demolition is planned in such proximity to the underground utility line that the utility line may be destroyed, damaged, dislocated, or disturbed, the operator shall mark the approximate horizontal location of the underground utility line on the ground to within two feet of either side of the underground utility line by means of stakes, paint, flags, or a combination thereof. The operator or contract locator shall mark the underground utility line and report the marking status to the positive response system by no later than 7:00 a.m. on the third working day following the excavator’s locate request, unless a scheduled excavation date is provided by the excavator to the notification center or the operator or contract locator is unable to do so due to extraordinary or exigent circumstances. Any scheduled excavation date shall not be less than 48 hours nor more than 12 working days from the date of the locate request. If a scheduled excavation date is provided by the excavator to the notification center, the operator or contract locator shall mark the underground utility line and report the marking status to the positive response system by no later than 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled day of excavation. Any locate request made on a day that is not a working day shall be considered as having been submitted to the notification center on the next working day at 7:00 a.m. If the operator is unable to mark the location within the time allowed under this section due to extraordinary or exigent circumstances, the operator shall notify directly the person who proposes to excavate or demolish and shall, in addition, notify the person of the date and time when the location will be marked. The deferral to mark for extraordinary or exigent circumstances shall be no longer than 96 hours from 7:00 a.m. on the next working day following the locate request, unless a longer time is otherwise agreed upon by the operator and excavator. The operator shall also inform the notification center of any deferral.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":207055,"text":"If a proposed excavation or demolition is not planned in such proximity to the operator’s underground utility lines that the utility line may be damaged, the operator shall so report to the notification center’s positive response system no later than 7:00 a.m. on the third working day following the excavator’s locate request.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":207056,"text":"An operator shall participate in all preplanning and preconstruction meetings originated by state, county or municipal authorities relating to proposed construction projects which may affect the operator’s existing or future utility lines and shall cooperate in implementing decisions reached in such preplanning and preconstruction meetings.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":207057,"text":"Any contract locator acting on behalf of an operator and failing to perform the duties imposed by this chapter shall be subject to the liabilities in § 56-265.25 and the civil penalties in § 56-265.32.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":207058,"text":"Locators shall be trained in applicable locating industry standards and practices no less stringent than the National Utility Locating Contractors Association’s locator training standards and practices. Each locator’s training shall be documented. Such documents shall be maintained by the operator or contract locator.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":207059,"text":"The Commission shall be authorized to adopt regulations designating: (i) letters for each operator to be used in conjunction with marking of underground utility lines, and (ii) symbols for marking of underground utility lines, in compliance with subdivision 2 of § 56-265.17:3. Such letter designation and marking symbols shall be in accordance with industry standards.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"6":{"id":207060,"text":"For underground utility lines abandoned after July 1, 2002, operators shall make a reasonable attempt to keep records of these abandoned utility lines, excluding service lines connected to a single-family dwelling unit. When an operator has knowledge that the operator’s abandoned utility lines may be present within the area of the proposed excavation, the operator shall provide a response to the positive response system. Such information regarding abandoned lines shall be for informational purposes only. An operator shall not be liable to any person, or subject to civil penalties, as a result of the operator’s providing incorrect information regarding abandoned lines or the subsequent use of such information. The positive response system may refer any person with concerns about the accuracy of information regarding abandoned lines to the appropriate operator.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"7":{"id":207061,"text":"An operator shall respond to an emergency notice as soon as possible but no later than three hours from the excavator’s contact to the notification center.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12882,"edition_id":1,"name":"Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act","identifier":"10.3","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12881,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":249261,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12882,"identifier":"10.3","token":"56\/10.3","url":"\/56\/10.3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12881,"edition_id":1,"name":"Public Service Companies","identifier":"56","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":248473,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12881,"identifier":"56","token":"56","url":"\/56\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":67078,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.14","catch_line":"Short title","url":"\/56-265.14\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.14","metadata":false},{"id":58284,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.15","catch_line":"Definitions; calculation of time periods","url":"\/56-265.15\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.15","metadata":false},{"id":77182,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.15:1","catch_line":" Exemptions; routine maintenance","url":"\/56-265.15_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.15_1","metadata":false},{"id":84032,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.16","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-265.16\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.16","metadata":false},{"id":56272,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.16:1","catch_line":"Operators to join notification centers; certification","url":"\/56-265.16_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.16_1","metadata":false},{"id":71572,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.17","catch_line":"Notification required prior to excavation or demolition; waiting periods; marking of proposed site","url":"\/56-265.17\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.17","metadata":false},{"id":83153,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.17:1","catch_line":"Notification and procedures for designers","url":"\/56-265.17_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.17_1","metadata":false},{"id":61626,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.17:2","catch_line":"Procedures for project owners","url":"\/56-265.17_2\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.17_2","metadata":false},{"id":81609,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.17:3","catch_line":"Procedures for operators in response to a designer notice","url":"\/56-265.17_3\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.17_3","metadata":false},{"id":87274,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.18","catch_line":"Notification requirements","url":"\/56-265.18\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.18","metadata":false},{"id":56575,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.19","catch_line":"Duties of operator; regulations","url":"\/56-265.19\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.19","metadata":false},{"id":76344,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.19:1","catch_line":"Private sewer laterals and sewer system laterals","url":"\/56-265.19_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.19_1","metadata":false},{"id":61252,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.20","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-265.20\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.20","metadata":false},{"id":80434,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.20:1","catch_line":"Locating nonmetallic underground utility lines","url":"\/56-265.20_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.20_1","metadata":false},{"id":77696,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.21","catch_line":"Marking by color","url":"\/56-265.21\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.21","metadata":false},{"id":64117,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.22","catch_line":"Duties of notification center upon notification by person intending to excavate; record of notification made by telephone required","url":"\/56-265.22\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.22","metadata":false},{"id":66270,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.22:1","catch_line":"Meetings between excavators and operators","url":"\/56-265.22_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.22_1","metadata":false},{"id":87171,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.23","catch_line":"Exemption for roadway maintenance operations by the Virginia Department of Transportation and certain counties, cities, and towns","url":"\/56-265.23\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.23","metadata":false},{"id":68853,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.24","catch_line":"Duties of excavator","url":"\/56-265.24\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.24","metadata":false},{"id":84234,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.24:1","catch_line":"Request to cease operation; immediate threat; penalty","url":"\/56-265.24_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.24_1","metadata":false},{"id":57821,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.25","catch_line":"Liability of operator and excavator; penalties","url":"\/56-265.25\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.25","metadata":false},{"id":54008,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.26","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-265.26\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.26","metadata":false},{"id":84847,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.26:1","catch_line":"Utility line depth requirement","url":"\/56-265.26_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.26_1","metadata":false},{"id":77994,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.27","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-265.27\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.27","metadata":false},{"id":86798,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.28","catch_line":"Sovereign immunity","url":"\/56-265.28\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.28","metadata":false},{"id":79358,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.29","catch_line":"Other similar laws","url":"\/56-265.29\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.29","metadata":false},{"id":56066,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.30","catch_line":"Authority of the State Corporation Commission","url":"\/56-265.30\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.30","metadata":false},{"id":54014,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.31","catch_line":"Commission to establish advisory committee","url":"\/56-265.31\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.31","metadata":false},{"id":73298,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.32","catch_line":"Commission to impose civil penalties for certain violations; establishment of Underground Utility Damage Prevention Special Fund","url":"\/56-265.32\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.32","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":87274,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.18","catch_line":"Notification requirements","url":"\/56-265.18\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.18","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":76344,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.19:1","catch_line":"Private sewer laterals and sewer system laterals","url":"\/56-265.19_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.19_1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/56-265.19\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1979. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 291 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1979 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1980, chapter 696; in 1994, chapter 890<\/a>; in 1996, chapter 79<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 841<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 395<\/a>; in 2023, chapters 299<\/a> and 300<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":58284,"section_number":"56-265.15","catch_line":"Definitions; calculation of time periods","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-265.15\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":81609,"section_number":"56-265.17:3","catch_line":"Procedures for operators in response to a designer notice","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-265.17_3\/"},{"id":57821,"section_number":"56-265.25","catch_line":"Liability of operator and excavator; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-265.25\/"}],"permalink":{"id":249303,"object_type":"law","relational_id":56575,"identifier":"56-265.19","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.19","url":"\/56-265.19\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-265.19\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.19","dublin_core":{"Title":"Duties of operator; regulations","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-265.19","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> If a proposed excavation or demolition is planned in such proximity to the underground utility line that the utility line may be destroyed, damaged, dislocated, or disturbed, the operator shall mark the approximate horizontal location of the underground utility line on the ground to within two feet of either side of the underground utility line by means of stakes, paint, flags, or a combination thereof. The operator or contract<\/span> locator shall mark the underground utility line and report the marking status to the positive response system by no later than 7:00 a.m. on the third working day following the excavator’s locate request, unless a scheduled excavation date is provided by the excavator to the notification center or the operator or contract<\/span> locator is unable to do so due to extraordinary or exigent circumstances. Any scheduled excavation date shall not be less than 48 hours nor more than 12 working days from the date of the locate request. If a scheduled excavation date is provided by the excavator to the notification center, the operator or contract<\/span> locator shall mark the underground utility line and report the marking status to the positive response system by no later than 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled day of excavation. Any locate request made on a day that is not a working day shall be considered as having been submitted to the notification center on the next working day at 7:00 a.m. If the operator is unable to mark the location within the time allowed under this section due to extraordinary or exigent circumstances, the operator shall notify directly the person<\/span> who proposes to excavate or demolish and shall, in addition, notify the person<\/span> of the date and time when the location will be marked. The deferral to mark for extraordinary or exigent circumstances shall be no longer than 96 hours from 7:00 a.m. on the next working day following the locate request, unless a longer time is otherwise agreed upon by the operator and excavator. The operator shall also inform the notification center of any deferral. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> If a proposed excavation or demolition is not planned in such proximity to the operator’s underground utility lines that the utility line may be damaged, the operator shall so report to the notification center’s positive response system no later than 7:00 a.m. on the third working day following the excavator’s locate request. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> An operator shall participate in all preplanning and preconstruction meetings originated by state, county or municipal authorities relating to proposed construction projects which may affect the operator’s existing or future utility lines and shall cooperate in implementing decisions reached in such preplanning and preconstruction meetings. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Any contract<\/span> locator acting on behalf of an operator and failing to perform the duties imposed by this chapter shall be subject to the liabilities in § 56-265.25<\/a> and the civil penalties in § 56-265.32<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Locators shall be trained in applicable locating industry standards and practices no less stringent than the National Utility Locating Contractors Association’s locator training standards and practices. Each locator’s training shall be documented. Such documents shall be maintained by the operator or contract<\/span> locator. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The Commission<\/span> shall be authorized to adopt regulations designating: (i) letters for each operator to be used in conjunction with marking of underground utility lines, and (ii) symbols for marking of underground utility lines, in compliance with subdivision 2 of § 56-265.17:3<\/a>. Such letter designation and marking symbols shall be in accordance with industry standards. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> For underground utility lines abandoned after July 1, 2002, operators shall make a reasonable attempt to keep records of these abandoned utility lines, excluding service lines connected to a single-family dwelling unit. When an operator has knowledge that the operator’s abandoned utility lines may be present within the area of the proposed excavation, the operator shall provide a response to the positive response system. Such information regarding abandoned lines shall be for informational purposes only. An operator shall not be liable to any person<\/span>, or subject to civil penalties, as a result of the operator’s providing incorrect information regarding abandoned lines or the subsequent use of such information. The positive response system may refer any person<\/span> with concerns about the accuracy of information regarding abandoned lines to the appropriate operator. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> An operator shall respond to an emergency notice as soon as possible but no later than three hours from the excavator’s contact to the notification center. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDUTIES OF OPERATOR; REGULATIONS (\u00a7 56-265.19)\n\nA. If a proposed excavation or demolition is planned in such proximity to the\nunderground utility line that the utility line may be destroyed, damaged,\ndislocated, or disturbed, the operator shall mark the approximate horizontal\nlocation of the underground utility line on the ground to within two feet of\neither side of the underground utility line by means of stakes, paint, flags, or\na combination thereof. The operator or contract locator shall mark the\nunderground utility line and report the marking status to the positive response\nsystem by no later than 7:00 a.m. on the third working day following the\nexcavator’s locate request, unless a scheduled excavation date is provided\nby the excavator to the notification center or the operator or contract locator\nis unable to do so due to extraordinary or exigent circumstances. Any scheduled\nexcavation date shall not be less than 48 hours nor more than 12 working days\nfrom the date of the locate request. If a scheduled excavation date is provided\nby the excavator to the notification center, the operator or contract locator\nshall mark the underground utility line and report the marking status to the\npositive response system by no later than 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled day of\nexcavation. Any locate request made on a day that is not a working day shall be\nconsidered as having been submitted to the notification center on the next\nworking day at 7:00 a.m. If the operator is unable to mark the location within\nthe time allowed under this section due to extraordinary or exigent\ncircumstances, the operator shall notify directly the person who proposes to\nexcavate or demolish and shall, in addition, notify the person of the date and\ntime when the location will be marked. The deferral to mark for extraordinary or\nexigent circumstances shall be no longer than 96 hours from 7:00 a.m. on the\nnext working day following the locate request, unless a longer time is otherwise\nagreed upon by the operator and excavator. The operator shall also inform the\nnotification center of any deferral.\n\nB. If a proposed excavation or demolition is not planned in such proximity to\nthe operator’s underground utility lines that the utility line may be\ndamaged, the operator shall so report to the notification center’s\npositive response system no later than 7:00 a.m. on the third working day\nfollowing the excavator’s locate request.\n\nC. An operator shall participate in all preplanning and preconstruction meetings\noriginated by state, county or municipal authorities relating to proposed\nconstruction projects which may affect the operator’s existing or future\nutility lines and shall cooperate in implementing decisions reached in such\npreplanning and preconstruction meetings.\n\nD. Any contract locator acting on behalf of an operator and failing to perform\nthe duties imposed by this chapter shall be subject to the liabilities in §\n56-265.25 and the civil penalties in § 56-265.32.\n\nE. Locators shall be trained in applicable locating industry standards and\npractices no less stringent than the National Utility Locating Contractors\nAssociation’s locator training standards and practices. Each\nlocator’s training shall be documented. Such documents shall be maintained\nby the operator or contract locator.\n\nF. The Commission shall be authorized to adopt regulations designating: (i)\nletters for each operator to be used in conjunction with marking of underground\nutility lines, and (ii) symbols for marking of underground utility lines, in\ncompliance with subdivision 2 of § 56-265.17:3. Such letter designation and\nmarking symbols shall be in accordance with industry standards.\n\nG. For underground utility lines abandoned after July 1, 2002, operators shall\nmake a reasonable attempt to keep records of these abandoned utility lines,\nexcluding service lines connected to a single-family dwelling unit. When an\noperator has knowledge that the operator’s abandoned utility lines may be\npresent within the area of the proposed excavation, the operator shall provide a\nresponse to the positive response system. Such information regarding abandoned\nlines shall be for informational purposes only. An operator shall not be liable\nto any person, or subject to civil penalties, as a result of the\noperator’s providing incorrect information regarding abandoned lines or\nthe subsequent use of such information. The positive response system may refer\nany person with concerns about the accuracy of information regarding abandoned\nlines to the appropriate operator.\n\nH. An operator shall respond to an emergency notice as soon as possible but no\nlater than three hours from the excavator’s contact to the notification\ncenter.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 291; 1980, c. 696; 1994, c. 890; 1996, c. 79; 2002, c. 841;\n2005, c. 395; 2023, cc. 299, 300.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}