HB93 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ron Johnson
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
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 regarding notifications, further provided for, person further defined, Secs. 37-15-2, 37-15-5 am'd. (2012-20143)
Summary: HB93 requires underground facility operators to participate in the One-Call system or run an in-house notification program, and makes operators liable for damages if their in-house program fails to meet notification requirements.
What This Bill Does
The bill requires operators to choose between joining the statewide One-Call Notification System or operating an in-house notification program that meets defined rules. If an operator chooses in-house and its program fails to meet the required notification standards, the operator is responsible for damages to its facilities, even if excavators contacted One-Call. It sets operational standards for in-house programs (including hours of operation, after-hours recording, and recordkeeping), requires operators to provide and update specific facility information to One-Call, and defines key terms such as 'approximate location' and 'working day'; small operators (fewer than 10,000 customers) have limited in-house duties during business hours on working days.

Who It Affects
Underground facility operators (utilities, pipelines, and similar entities) must decide between One-Call participation or an in-house system, adhere to specified operational rules, maintain records, and be liable for damages if their chosen system fails to meet requirements.
People or businesses performing excavation or demolition must rely on accurate notifications and markings provided through the One-Call system or an operator's in-house program to avoid damaging underground facilities.

Key Provisions
Operators must either participate in the One-Call Notification System or operate an in-house notification program that meets specified operational requirements.
Operators with fewer than 10,000 customers may limit in-house duties to normal business hours on working days and are not required to voice record all calls.
If an operator chooses in-house and its program fails to meet notification requirements, the operator is responsible for damages to its underground facilities.
In-house programs must follow operational standards, including defined hours (8 AM–5 PM on working days), after-hours voice recording, and prompt transmission of excavation notifications to the operator's members.
Records of notifications must be kept for at least three years and be available on reasonable request.
One-Call or its members must promptly transmit excavator notifications to all affected operators, and operators must update One-Call within 30 days of changes to facility information.
Definitions for terms such as 'approximate location', 'operator', 'underground facility', 'excavate', 'working day', and related concepts are clarified to support the notification system.

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