Digging Rules Would Be Tightened Under Bill By Peninsula Senator

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — In an attempt to prevent excavators from inadvertently damaging cables, electrical lines and gas pipelines, a Peninsula legislator is introducing a bill that would tighten regulations on digging.

The bill, SB 865, was introduced by Sen. Jerry Hill, who represents San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. It would require excavators to work more closely with local authorities and companies that operate underground infrastructure.

Under current law, excavators must specify the area where they plan to work and call 811 before any digging takes place.

The bill would require local notification centers to share more information to the state's Dig Safe Board, report damage to underground infrastructure within five days, and provide reports on all notifications each quarter. It also sets up a chain of notifications that would be used in an emergency.

A 2016 bill by Sen. Hill was signed into law in 2016 as the Dig Safe Act, which set up the Dig Safe Board.