HB187 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ron Johnson
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2010
Title: Utility and other underground facilities, One-Call Notification System or Call Before You Dig, all underground facility operators required to be members, responsibility of operators conducting in-house program re notifications, further provided for, Sec. 37-15-5 am'd.
Summary: HB187 requires underground facility operators in Alabama to join the One-Call Notification System or run an in-house notification program, and makes operators liable for damages if their in-house system fails to meet requirements.
What This Bill Does
The bill amends Section 37-15-5 to require underground facility operators to participate in the One-Call system or operate an in-house program that meets specified rules; if an operator uses an in-house program and fails to meet those rules, they can be responsible for damages to their facilities. Operators with fewer than 10,000 customers may run an in-house program only during business hours and are not required to voice-record calls. The bill also requires information sharing with the One-Call System, record-keeping for at least three years, prompt transmission of notices, and 30-day updates to changes, with an effective date of January 1 following passage.

Who It Affects
Underground facility operators in Alabama: must choose between joining the One-Call Notification System or operating an in-house notification program, with liability rules applying if the in-house program fails to meet requirements.
Excavation and demolition contractors: rely on the chosen notification system to locate underground facilities; damages may be charged to the operator if notification fails and the operator's system is non-compliant.
Non-profit, public, or governmental entities: may apply to the Alabama Public Service Commission to operate a One-Call System under a certificate of public convenience and necessity.
Small operators (fewer than 10,000 customers): may operate an in-house program with limits (office hours only, no mandatory voice recording) subject to the bill's requirements.

Key Provisions
Operators must either participate in the One-Call Notification System or run an in-house notification program that meets operational requirements.
If an operator opts for an in-house program and fails to meet the requirements, they are responsible for damages to their underground facilities caused by excavators.
Operators with fewer than 10,000 customers may operate an in-house program during office hours and are not required to voice-record calls.
Non-profit, public, or governmental entities can apply to the Alabama Public Service Commission for a certificate to operate a One-Call System.
Pipeline operators must notify the public and excavators about the availability and use of in-house or One-Call systems as required by federal regulations.
An individual reference file number must be provided for each notification, and the names of the operators to which notices will be transmitted must be available on request.
Records of notifications must be kept for at least three years and be available upon proper request at reasonable cost.
One-Call Systems must provide member operators with information including areas of underground facilities, county subdivisions, total trench miles, and emergency contact information.
The One-Call System must promptly transmit information from excavators to the appropriate member operators.
Operators must notify the One-Call System within 30 days of changes to information such as locations, subdivisions, or new installations.
The act becomes effective January 1 following its passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: One-Call Notification System