SB243 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clyde ChamblissSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to the One-Call Notification System; to amend Section 37-15-4.1, Code of Alabama 1975, to authorize a design professional to hire a third-party locator, at the expense of the underground facility operator, after two design or survey locate requests have been submitted and expired without response by the operator.

Summary

SB243 would let a design professional hire a third-party locator at the underground facility operator's expense if the operator does not respond after two locate requests.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends the One-Call Notification System to authorize a design professional to hire an independent third-party line locator after two design or survey locate requests have been submitted and expired without the operator's response, with costs paid by the operator. It preserves the current requirement that the operator respond within five working days by marking facilities, providing the best available description or drawings, or allowing inspection of records. It clarifies the process for submitting locate requests and the operator's options for fulfilling them.

Who It Affects

• Design professionals submitting design or survey locate requests, who would be able to hire a third-party locator after two unanswered requests.
• Underground facility operators, who would be financially responsible for the cost of the third-party locator.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes a design professional to hire an independent third-party line locator after two design or survey locate requests have been submitted and expired without a response from the operator, with the cost paid by the operator.
• Maintains the operator's obligation to respond to locate requests within five working days by marking approximate locations, providing descriptions/drawings, or allowing access to facility records.
• Amends Section 37-15-4.1 to define the submission details and response methods for locate requests and to specify the new third-party locator provision.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.