Source: http://www.thecablevine.com/forum/content/dig-law-jan-1-2013-washington-s-dig-law-rcw-19-122-has-been-updated-259/
Timestamp: 2017-06-23 01:52:42
Document Index: 490617946

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 26', '§ 2', '§ 27', 'art 195', '§ 9', '§ 1', '§ 15', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 9', '§ 1', '§ 15', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 16', '§ 3', '§ 2', '§ 16', '§ 17', '§ 1', '§ 3', '§ 4', '§ 17', '§ 1', '§ 3', '§ 5', '§ 18', '§ 6', '§ 18', '§ 19', '§ 7', '§ 19', '§ 4', '§ 8', '§ 4', '§ 2', '§ 5', '§ 9', '§ 5', '§ 20', '§ 3', '§ 5', '§ 24', '§ 10', '§ 3', '§ 5', '§ 24', '§ 6', '§ 4', '§ 7', '§ 11', '§ 4', '§ 7', '§ 23', '§ 14', '§ 23', '§ 8', '§ 15', '§ 8', '§ 5', '§ 6', '§ 16', '§ 6', '§ 7', '§ 17', '§ 7', '§ 8', '§ 1', '§ 18', '§ 19', '§ 21', '§ 12', '§ 13', '§ 22', '§ 9', '§ 25']

Utility Locating and Damage Prevention - Dig Law - As of Jan. 1, 2013, Washington's Dig Law (RCW 19.122) has been updated.
Dig Law - As of Jan. 1, 2013, Washington's Dig Law (RCW 19.122) has been updated.
After three years and a great deal of input from stakeholders, the Legislature passed E2SHB-1634, the Underground Utilities Damage Prevention Act, in 2011. The intent of the legislation was to build and improve upon the existing dig law by addressing federal standards along with eliminating outdated or poor practices. Read it below
19.122.010
Intent. (Effective until January 1, 2013.)
It is the intent of the legislature in enacting this chapter to assign responsibilities for locating and keeping accurate records of utility locations, protecting and repairing damage to existing underground facilities, and protecting the public health and safety from interruption in utility services caused by damage to existing underground utility facilities.
[1984 c 144 § 1.]
Intent. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
In this chapter, the underground utility damage prevention act, the legislature intends to protect public health and safety and prevent disruption of vital utility services through a comprehensive damage prevention program that includes:
(1) Assigning responsibility for providing notice of proposed excavation, locating and marking underground utilities, and reporting and repairing damage;
(2) Setting safeguards for construction and excavation near hazardous liquid and gas pipelines;
(3) Improving worker and public knowledge of safe practices;
(4) Collecting and analyzing damage data;
(5) Reviewing alleged violations; and
(6) Enforcing this chapter.
[2011 c 263 § 1; 1984 c 144 § 1.]
Report -- 2011 c 263: "By December 1, 2015, the utilities and transportation commission must report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the effectiveness of the damage prevention program established under chapter 19.122 RCW. The legislative report required under this section must include analysis of damage data reported under section 20 of this act." [2011 c 263 § 26.]
Effective date -- 2012 c 96; 2011 c 263: "Except for section 18 of this act (chapter 263, Laws of 2011), this act takes effect January 1, 2013." [2012 c 96 § 2; 2011 c 263 § 27.]
19.122.020
Definitions. (Effective until January 1, 2013.)
(2) "Damage" includes the substantial weakening of structural or lateral support of an underground facility, penetration, impairment, or destruction of any underground protective coating, housing, or other protective device, or the severance, partial or complete, of any underground facility to the extent that the project owner or the affected utility owner determines that repairs are required.
(3) "Emergency" means any condition constituting a clear and present danger to life or property, or a customer service outage.
(4) "Excavation" means any operation in which earth, rock, or other material on or below the ground is moved or otherwise displaced by any means, except the tilling of soil less than twelve inches in depth for agricultural purposes, or road and ditch maintenance that does not change the original road grade or ditch flowline.
(5) "Excavation confirmation code" means a code or ticket issued by the one-number locator service for the site where an excavation is planned. The code must be accompanied by the date and time it was issued.
(6) "Excavator" means any person who engages directly in excavation.
(7) "Gas" means natural gas, flammable gas, or toxic or corrosive gas.
(8) "Hazardous liquid" means: (a) Petroleum, petroleum products, or anhydrous ammonia as those terms are defined in 49 C.F.R. Part 195 as in effect on March 1, 1998; and (b) carbon dioxide. The utilities and transportation commission may by rule incorporate by reference other substances designated as hazardous by the secretary of transportation.
(9) "Identified facility" means any underground facility which is indicated in the project plans as being located within the area of proposed excavation.
(10) "Identified but unlocatable underground facility" means an underground facility which has been identified but cannot be located with reasonable accuracy.
(11) "Locatable underground facility" means an underground facility which can be field-marked with reasonable accuracy.
(12) "Marking" means the use of stakes, paint, or other clearly identifiable materials to show the field location of underground facilities, in accordance with the current color code standard of the American public works association. Markings shall include identification letters indicating the specific type of the underground facility.
(13) "Notice" or "notify" means contact in person or by telephone or other electronic methods that results in the receipt of a valid excavation confirmation code.
(14) "One-number locator service" means a service through which a person can notify utilities and request field-marking of underground facilities.
(15) "Operator" means the individual conducting the excavation.
(16) "Person" means an individual, partnership, franchise holder, association, corporation, a state, a city, a county, or any subdivision or instrumentality of a state, and its employees, agents, or legal representatives.
(17) "Pipeline" or "pipeline system" means all or parts of a pipeline facility through which hazardous liquid or gas moves in transportation, including, but not limited to, line pipe, valves, and other appurtenances connected to line pipe, pumping units, fabricated assemblies associated with pumping or compressor units, metering and delivery stations and fabricated assemblies therein, and breakout tanks. "Pipeline" or "pipeline system" does not include process or transfer pipelines.
(18) "Pipeline company" means a person or entity constructing, owning, or operating a pipeline for transporting hazardous liquid or gas. A pipeline company does not include: (a) Distribution systems owned and operated under franchise for the sale, delivery, or distribution of natural gas at retail; or (b) excavation contractors or other contractors that contract with a pipeline company.
(19) "Reasonable accuracy" means location within twenty-four inches of the outside dimensions of both sides of an underground facility.
(20) "Transfer pipeline" means a buried or aboveground pipeline used to carry hazardous liquid between a tank vessel or transmission pipeline and the first valve inside secondary containment at the facility provided that any discharge on the facility side of that first valve will not directly impact waters of the state. A transfer pipeline includes valves, and other appurtenances connected to the pipeline, pumping units, and fabricated assemblies associated with pumping units. A transfer pipeline does not include process pipelines, pipelines carrying ballast or bilge water, transmission pipelines, or tank vessel or storage tanks.
(21) "Transmission pipeline" means a pipeline that transports hazardous liquid or gas within a storage field, or transports hazardous liquid or gas from an interstate pipeline or storage facility to a distribution main or a large volume hazardous liquid or gas user, or operates at a hoop stress of twenty percent or more of the specified minimum yield strength.
(22) "Underground facility" means any item buried or placed below ground for use in connection with the storage or conveyance of water, sewage, electronic, telephonic or telegraphic communications, cablevision, electric energy, petroleum products, gas, gaseous vapors, hazardous liquids, or other substances and including but not limited to pipes, sewers, conduits, cables, valves, lines, wires, manholes, attachments, and those parts of poles or anchors below ground. This definition does not include pipelines as defined in subsection (17) of this section, but does include distribution systems owned and operated under franchise for the sale, delivery, or distribution of natural gas at retail.
[2007 c 142 § 9; 2005 c 448 § 1; 2000 c 191 § 15; 1984 c 144 § 2.]
Intent -- Findings -- Conflict with federal requirements -- Short title -- Effective date -- 2000 c 191: See RCW 81.88.005 and 81.88.900 through 81.88.902.
Definitions. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
(24) "Service lateral" means an underground water, storm water, or sewer facility located in a public right-of-way or utility easement that connects an end user's building or property to a facility operator's underground facility, and terminates beyond the public right-of-way or utility easement.
[2011 c 263 § 2; 2007 c 142 § 9; 2005 c 448 § 1; 2000 c 191 § 15; 1984 c 144 § 2.]
Report -- Effective date -- 2011 c 263: See notes following RCW 19.122.010.
19.122.027
One-number locator services — Single statewide toll-free telephone number. (Effective until January 1, 2013.)
(1) The utilities and transportation commission shall cause to be established a single statewide toll-free telephone number to be used for referring excavators to the appropriate one-number locator service.
(2) The utilities and transportation commission, in consultation with the Washington utilities coordinating council, shall establish minimum standards and best management practices for one-number locator services.
(3) One-number locator services shall be operated by nongovernmental agencies.
[2005 c 448 § 2; 2000 c 191 § 16.]
One-number locator services — Single statewide toll-free telephone number. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
(1) The commission must establish a single statewide toll-free telephone number to be used for referring excavators to the appropriate one-number locator service.
(2) The commission, in consultation with the Washington utilities coordinating council, must establish minimum standards and best management practices for one-number locator services.
(3) One-number locator services must be operated by nongovernmental agencies.
(4) All facility operators within a one-number locator service area must subscribe to the service.
(5) Failure to subscribe to a one-number locator service constitutes willful intent to avoid compliance with this chapter.
[2011 c 263 § 3; 2005 c 448 § 2; 2000 c 191 § 16.]
Report -- Effective date--2011 c 263: See notes following RCW 19.122.010.
19.122.030
Notice of excavation to owners of underground facilities — One-number locator service — Time for notice — Marking of underground facilities — Costs. (Effective until January 1, 2013.)
(1) Before commencing any excavation, excluding agriculture tilling less than twelve inches in depth, the excavator shall provide notice of the scheduled commencement of excavation to all owners of underground facilities through a one-number locator service.
(2) All owners of underground facilities within a one-number locator service area shall subscribe to the service. One-number locator service rates for cable television companies will be based on the amount of their underground facilities. If no one-number locator service is available, notice shall be provided individually to those owners of underground facilities known to or suspected of having underground facilities within the area of proposed excavation. The notice shall be communicated to the owners of underground facilities not less than two business days or more than ten business days before the scheduled date for commencement of excavation, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.
(3) Upon receipt of the notice provided for in this section, the owner of the underground facility shall provide the excavator with reasonably accurate information as to its locatable underground facilities by surface-marking the location of the facilities. If there are identified but unlocatable underground facilities, the owner of such facilities shall provide the excavator with the best available information as to their locations. The owner of the underground facility providing the information shall respond no later than two business days after the receipt of the notice or before the excavation time, at the option of the owner, unless otherwise agreed by the parties. Excavators shall not excavate until all known facilities have been marked. Once marked by the owner of the underground facility, the excavator is responsible for maintaining the markings. Excavators shall have the right to receive compensation from the owner of the underground facility for costs incurred if the owner of the underground facility does not locate its facilities in accordance with this section.
(4) The owner of the underground facility shall have the right to receive compensation for costs incurred in responding to excavation notices given less than two business days prior to the excavation from the excavator.
(5) An owner of underground facilities is not required to indicate the presence of existing service laterals or appurtenances if the presence of existing service laterals or appurtenances on the site of the construction project can be determined from the presence of other visible facilities, such as buildings, manholes, or meter and junction boxes on or adjacent to the construction site.
(6) Emergency excavations are exempt from the time requirements for notification provided in this section.
(7) If the excavator, while performing the contract, discovers underground facilities which are not identified, the excavator shall cease excavating in the vicinity of the facility and immediately notify the owner or operator of such facilities, or the one-number locator service.
[2000 c 191 § 17; 1988 c 99 § 1; 1984 c 144 § 3.]
Damages to facilities on state highways: RCW 47.44.150.
Excavator and facility operator duties before excavation. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
(1)(a) Unless exempted under RCW 19.122.031, before commencing any excavation, an excavator must mark the boundary of the excavation area with white paint applied on the ground of the worksite, then provide notice of the scheduled commencement of excavation to all facility operators through a one-number locator service.
(b) If boundary marking required by (a) of this subsection is infeasible, an excavator must communicate directly with affected facility operators to ensure that the boundary of the excavation area is accurately identified.
(2) An excavator must provide the notice required by subsection (1) of this section to a one-number locator service not less than two business days and not more than ten business days before the scheduled date for commencement of excavation, unless otherwise agreed by the excavator and facility operators. If an excavator intends to work at multiple sites or at a large project, the excavator must take reasonable steps to confer with facility operators to enable them to locate underground facilities reasonably in advance of the start of excavation for each phase of the work.
(3) Upon receipt of the notice provided for in subsection (1) of this section, a facility operator must, with respect to:
(a) The facility operator's locatable underground facilities, provide the excavator with reasonably accurate information by marking their location;
(b) The facility operator's unlocatable or identified but unlocatable underground facilities, provide the excavator with available information as to their location; and
(c) Service laterals, designate their presence or location, if the service laterals:
(i) Connect end users to the facility operator's main utility line; and
(ii) Are within a public right-of-way or utility easement and the boundary of the excavation area identified under subsection (1) of this section.
(4)(a) A facility operator must provide information to an excavator pursuant to subsection (3) of this section no later than two business days after the receipt of the notice provided for in subsection (1) of this section or before excavation commences, at the option of the facility operator, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.
(b) A facility operator complying with subsection (3)(b) and (c) of this section may do so in a manner that includes any of the following methods:
(i) Placing within a proposed excavation area a triangular mark at the main utility line pointing at the building, structure, or property in question, indicating the presence of an unlocatable or identified but unlocatable underground facility, including a service lateral;
(ii) Arranging to meet an excavator at a worksite to provide available information about the location of service laterals; or
(iii) Providing copies of the best reasonably available records by electronic message, mail, facsimile, or other delivery method.
(c) A facility operator's good faith attempt to comply with subsection (3)(b) and (c) of this section:
(i) Constitutes full compliance with the requirements of this section, and no person may be found liable for damages or injuries that may result from such compliance, apart from liability for arranging for repairs or relocation as provided in RCW 19.122.050(2); and
(ii) Does not constitute any assertion of ownership or operation of a service lateral by the facility operator.
(d) An end user is responsible for determining the location of a service lateral on their property or a service lateral that they own. Nothing in this section may be interpreted to require an end user to subscribe to a one-number locator service or to locate a service lateral within a right-of-way or utility easement.
(5) An excavator must not excavate until all known facility operators have marked or provided information regarding underground facilities as provided in this section.
(6)(a) Once marked by a facility operator, an excavator is responsible for maintaining the accuracy of the facility operator's markings of underground facilities for the lesser of:
(i) Forty-five calendar days from the date that the excavator provided notice to a one-number locator service pursuant to subsection (1) of this section; or
(ii) The duration of the project.
(b) An excavator that makes repeated requests for location of underground facilities due to its failure to maintain the accuracy of a facility operator's markings as required by this subsection (6) may be charged by the facility operator for services provided.
(c) A facility operator's markings of underground utilities expire forty-five calendar days from the date that the excavator provided notice to a one-number locator service pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. For excavation occurring after that date, an excavator must provide additional notice to a one-number locator service pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.
(7) An excavator has the right to receive reasonable compensation from a facility operator for costs incurred by the excavator if the facility operator does not locate its underground facilities in accordance with the requirements specified in this section.
(8) A facility operator has the right to receive reasonable compensation from an excavator for costs incurred by the facility operator if the excavator does not comply with the requirements specified in this section.
(9) A facility operator is not required to comply with subsection (4) of this section with respect to service laterals conveying only water if their presence can be determined from other visible water facilities, such as water meters, water valve covers, and junction boxes in or adjacent to the boundary of an excavation area identified under subsection (1) of this section.
(10) If an excavator discovers underground facilities that are not identified, the excavator must cease excavating in the vicinity of the underground facilities and immediately notify the facility operator or a one-number locator service. If an excavator discovers identified but unlocatable underground facilities, the excavator must notify the facility operator. Upon notification by a one-number locator service or an excavator, a facility operator must allow for location of the uncovered portion of an underground facility identified by the excavator, and may accept location information from the excavator for marking of the underground facility.
[2011 c 263 § 4; 2000 c 191 § 17; 1988 c 99 § 1; 1984 c 144 § 3.]
19.122.031
Exempted activities. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
[2011 c 263 § 5.]
19.122.033
Notice of excavation to pipeline companies. (Effective until January 1, 2013.)
(1) Before commencing any excavation, excluding agricultural tilling less than twelve inches in depth, an excavator shall notify pipeline companies of the scheduled commencement of excavation through a one-number locator service in the same manner as is required for notifying owners of underground facilities of excavation work under RCW 19.122.030. Pipeline companies shall have the same rights and responsibilities as owners of underground facilities under RCW 19.122.030 regarding excavation work. Excavators have the same rights and responsibilities under this section as they have under RCW 19.122.030.
[2000 c 191 § 18.]
Notice of excavation to pipeline companies. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
[2011 c 263 § 6; 2000 c 191 § 18.]
19.122.035
Pipeline company duties after notice of excavation — Examination — Information of damage — Notification of local first responders. (Effective until January 1, 2013.)
(1) After a pipeline company has been notified by an excavator pursuant to RCW 19.122.033 that excavation work will uncover any portion of the pipeline, the pipeline company shall ensure that the pipeline section in the vicinity of the excavation is examined for damage prior to being reburied.
(2) Immediately upon receiving information of third-party damage to a hazardous liquid pipeline, the company that operates the pipeline shall terminate the flow of hazardous liquid in that pipeline until it has visually inspected the pipeline. After visual inspection, the operator of the hazardous liquid pipeline shall determine whether the damaged pipeline section should be replaced or repaired, or whether it is safe to resume pipeline operation. Immediately upon receiving information of third-party damage to a gas pipeline, the company that operates the pipeline shall conduct a visual inspection of the pipeline to determine whether the flow of gas through that pipeline should be terminated, and whether the damaged pipeline should be replaced or repaired. A record of the pipeline company's inspection report and test results shall be provided to the utilities and transportation commission consistent with reporting requirements under 49 C.F.R. 195 Subpart B.
(3) Pipeline companies shall immediately notify local first responders and the department of any reportable release of a hazardous liquid from a pipeline. Pipeline companies shall immediately notify local first responders and the commission of any blowing gas leak from a gas pipeline that has ignited or represents a probable hazard to persons or property. Pipeline companies shall take all appropriate steps to ensure the public safety in the event of a release of hazardous liquid or gas under this subsection.
[2000 c 191 § 19.]
Pipeline company duties after notice of excavation — Examination — Information of damage — Notification of local first responders. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
[2011 c 263 § 7; 2000 c 191 § 19.]
19.122.040
Underground facilities identified in bid or contract — Excavator's duty of reasonable care — Liability for damages — Attorneys' fees. (Effective until January 1, 2013.)
(1) Project owners shall indicate in bid or contract documents the existence of underground facilities known by the project owner to be located within the proposed area of excavation. The following shall be deemed changed or differing site conditions:
(a) An underground facility not identified as required by this chapter or other provision of law; and
(b) An underground facility not located, as required by this chapter or other provision of law, by the project owner or excavator if the project owner or excavator is also a utility.
(2) An excavator shall use reasonable care to avoid damaging underground facilities. An excavator shall:
(3) If an underground facility is damaged and such damage is the consequence of the failure to fulfill an obligation under this chapter, the party failing to perform that obligation shall be liable for any damages. Any clause in an excavation contract which attempts to allocate liability, or requires indemnification to shift the economic consequences of liability, different from the provisions of this chapter is against public policy and unenforceable. Nothing in this chapter prevents the parties to an excavation contract from contracting with respect to the allocation of risk for changed or differing site conditions.
[1984 c 144 § 4.]
Underground facilities identified in bid or contract — Excavator's duty of reasonable care — Liability for damages — Attorneys' fees. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
[2011 c 263 § 8; 1984 c 144 § 4.]
19.122.045
Excavators who comply with the requirements of this chapter are not liable for any damages arising from contact or damage to an underground fiber optics facility other than the cost to repair the facility.
[1988 c 99 § 2.]
19.122.050
Damage to underground facility — Notification by excavator — Repairs or relocation of facility. (Effective until January 1, 2013.)
(1) An excavator who, in the course of excavation, contacts or damages an underground facility shall notify the utility owning or operating such facility and the one-number locator service. If the damage causes an emergency condition, the excavator causing the damage shall also alert the appropriate local public safety agencies and take all appropriate steps to ensure the public safety. No damaged underground facility may be buried until it is repaired or relocated.
(2) The owner of the underground facilities damaged shall arrange for repairs or relocation as soon as is practical or may permit the excavator to do necessary repairs or relocation at a mutually acceptable price.
[1984 c 144 § 5.]
Damage to underground facility — Notification by excavator — Repairs or relocation of facility. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
(1) An excavator who, in the course of excavation, contacts or damages an underground facility shall notify the facility operator and a one-number locator service, and report the damage as required under RCW 19.122.053. If the damage causes an emergency condition, the excavator causing the damage shall also alert the appropriate local public safety agencies and take all appropriate steps to ensure the public safety. No damaged underground facility may be buried until it is repaired or relocated.
(2) A facility operator notified in accordance with subsection (1) of this section shall arrange for repairs or relocation as soon as is practical, or permit the excavator to do necessary repairs or relocation at a mutually acceptable price.
[2011 c 263 § 9; 1984 c 144 § 5.]
19.122.053
Report of damage to underground facility. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
[2011 c 263 § 20.]
19.122.055
Failure to notify one-number locator service — Civil penalty, if damages. (Effective until January 1, 2013.)
(1)(a) Any excavator who fails to notify the one-number locator service and causes damage to a hazardous liquid or gas pipeline is subject to a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars for each violation.
(b) The civil penalty in this subsection may also be imposed on any excavator who violates RCW 19.122.090.
(2) All civil penalties recovered under this section shall be deposited into the pipeline safety account created in RCW 81.88.050.
[2005 c 448 § 3; 2001 c 238 § 5; 2000 c 191 § 24.]
Intent--Finding--Effective date -- 2001 c 238: See notes following RCW 80.24.060.
Failure to notify one-number locator service — Civil penalty, if damages. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
(2) All civil penalties recovered under this section must be deposited into the damage prevention account created in RCW 19.122.160.
[2011 c 263 § 10; 2005 c 448 § 3; 2001 c 238 § 5; 2000 c 191 § 24.]
19.122.060
Exemption from notice and marking requirements for property owners. (Effective until January 1, 2013.)
An excavation of less than twelve inches in vertical depth on private noncommercial property shall be exempt from the requirements of RCW 19.122.030, if the excavation is being performed by the person or an employee of the person who owns or occupies the property on which the excavation is being performed.
[1984 c 144 § 6.]
19.122.070
Civil penalties — Treble damages — Existing remedies not affected. (Effective until January 1, 2013.)
(1) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter not amounting to a violation of RCW 19.122.055, and which violation results in damage to underground facilities, is subject to a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for each violation. All penalties recovered in such actions shall be deposited in the general fund.
(2) Any excavator who willfully or maliciously damages a field-marked underground facility shall be liable for treble the costs incurred in repairing or relocating the facility. In those cases in which an excavator fails to notify known underground facility owners or the one-number locator service, any damage to the underground facility shall be deemed willful and malicious and shall be subject to treble damages for costs incurred in repairing or relocating the facility.
(3) This chapter does not affect any civil remedies for personal injury or for property damage, including that to underground facilities, nor does this chapter create any new civil remedies for such damage.
[2005 c 448 § 4; 1984 c 144 § 7.]
Civil penalties — Treble damages — Existing remedies not affected. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
[2011 c 263 § 11; 2005 c 448 § 4; 1984 c 144 § 7.]
19.122.075
Damage or removal of permanent marking — Civil penalty. (Effective until January 1, 2013.)
Any person who willfully damages or removes a permanent marking used to identify an underground facility or pipeline, or a temporary marking prior to its intended use, is subject to a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for each act.
[2000 c 191 § 23.]
Damage or removal of permanent marking — Civil penalty. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
Any person who willfully damages or removes a permanent marking used to identify an underground facility or pipeline, or a temporary marking prior to its intended use, is subject to a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for an initial violation, and not more than five thousand dollars for each subsequent violation within a three-year period.
[2011 c 263 § 14; 2000 c 191 § 23.]
19.122.080
Waiver of notification and marking requirements. (Effective until January 1, 2013.)
The notification and marking provisions of this chapter may be waived for one or more designated persons by an underground facility owner with respect to all or part of that underground facility owner's own underground facilities.
[1984 c 144 § 8.]
Waiver of notification and marking requirements. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
The notification and marking provisions of this chapter may be waived for one or more designated persons by a facility operator with respect to all or part of that facility operator's underground facilities.
[2011 c 263 § 15; 1984 c 144 § 8.]
19.122.090
Excavation without a valid excavation confirmation code — Penalty.
Any excavator who excavates, without a valid excavation confirmation code when required under this chapter, within thirty-five feet of a transmission pipeline is guilty of a misdemeanor.
[2005 c 448 § 5.]
19.122.100
Violation of RCW 19.122.090 — Affirmative defense. (Effective until January 1, 2013.)
If charged with a violation of RCW 19.122.090, an operator will be deemed to have established an affirmative defense to such charges if:
(1) The operator was provided a valid excavation confirmation code;
(2) The excavation was performed in an emergency situation;
(3) The operator was provided a false confirmation code by an identifiable third party; or
(4) Notice of the excavation was not required under this chapter.
[2005 c 448 § 6.]
Violation of RCW 19.122.090 — Affirmative defense. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
If charged with a violation of RCW 19.122.090, an equipment operator is deemed to have established an affirmative defense to such charges if:
(1) The equipment operator was provided a valid excavation confirmation code;
(3) The equipment operator was provided a false confirmation code by an identifiable third party; or
[2011 c 263 § 16; 2005 c 448 § 6.]
19.122.110
False excavation confirmation code — Penalty. (Effective until January 1, 2013.)
Any person who intentionally provides an operator with a false excavation confirmation code is guilty of a misdemeanor.
[2005 c 448 § 7.]
False excavation confirmation code — Penalty. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
Any person who intentionally provides an equipment operator with a false excavation confirmation code is guilty of a misdemeanor.
[2011 c 263 § 17; 2005 c 448 § 7.]
19.122.120
One-number locator service to provide excavation confirmation code.
Upon receipt, during normal business hours, of notice of an intended excavation, the one-number locator service shall provide an excavation confirmation code.
[2005 c 448 § 8.]
19.122.130
Commission to contract with nonprofit entity — Safety committee — Review of violations of chapter. (Expires December 31, 2020.)
(1) By January 1, 2013, the commission must contract with a statewide, nonprofit entity whose purpose is to reduce damages to underground and above ground facilities, promote safe excavation practices, and review complaints of alleged violations of this chapter. The contract must not obligate funding by the commission for activities performed by the nonprofit entity or the safety committee under this section, and is therefore exempt under *RCW 39.29.040(1) from the requirements of *chapter 39.29 RCW.
(2) By January 1, 2013, the contracting entity must create a safety committee to:
(a) Advise the commission and other state agencies, the legislature, and local governments on best practices and training to prevent damage to underground utilities, and policies to enhance worker and public safety; and
(b) Review complaints alleging violations of this chapter involving practices related to underground facilities.
(3)(a) The safety committee will consist of thirteen members, who must be nominated by represented groups and appointed by the contracting entity to staggered three-year terms. By January 1, 2013, the safety committee must include representatives of:
(i) Local governments;
(ii) A natural gas utility subject to regulation under Titles 80 and 81 RCW;
(iv) Excavators;
(v) An electric utility subject to regulation under Title 80 RCW;
(vi) A consumer-owned utility, as defined in RCW 19.27A.140;
(vii) A pipeline company;
(viii) The insurance industry;
(ix) The commission; and
(x) A telecommunications company.
(b) By January 1, 2013, the safety committee may pass bylaws and provide for those organizational processes that are necessary to complete the safety committee's tasks.
(4) The safety committee must meet at least once every three months.
(5) After January 1, 2013, the safety committee may review complaints of alleged violations of this chapter involving practices related to underground facilities. Any person may bring a complaint to the safety committee regarding an alleged violation occurring on or after January 1, 2013.
(6) To review complaints of alleged violations, the safety committee must appoint at least three and not more than five members as a review committee. The review committee must include the same number of members representing excavators and facility operators. One member representing facility operators must also be a representative of a pipeline company or a natural gas utility subject to regulation under Titles 80 and 81 RCW. The review committee must also include a member representing the insurance industry.
(7) Before reviewing a complaint alleging a violation of this chapter, the review committee must notify the person making the complaint and the alleged violator of its review and of the opportunity to participate.
(8) After January 1, 2013, the safety committee may provide written notification to the commission, with supporting documentation, that a person has likely committed a violation of this chapter, and recommend remedial action that may include a penalty amount, training, or education to improve public safety, or some combination thereof.
[2012 c 96 § 1; 2011 c 263 § 18.]
*Reviser's note: RCW 39.29.040 was repealed by 2012 c 224. All sections in chapter 39.29 RCW were repealed or recodified by 2012 c 224.
19.122.140
Commission authority — Receipt of notification of violation of chapter — Referral to attorney general. (Effective January 1, 2013, until December 31, 2020.)
(1) The commission may enforce the civil penalties authorized in RCW 19.122.070 or 19.122.075 when it receives written notification from the safety committee created under RCW 19.122.130 indicating that a violation of this chapter has likely been committed by a person subject to regulation by the commission, or involving the underground facilities of such a person.
(2) If the commission receives written notification from the safety committee pursuant to RCW 19.122.130 that a violation of this chapter has likely been committed by a person who is not subject to regulation by the commission, and in which the underground facility involved is also not subject to regulation by the commission, the commission may refer the matter to the attorney general for enforcement of a civil penalty under RCW 19.122.070 or 19.122.075. The commission must provide funding for such enforcement. However, any costs and fees recovered by the attorney general pursuant to subsection (3) of this section must be deposited by the commission in the fund that paid for such enforcement.
(3) In a matter referred to it by the commission pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, the attorney general may bring an action to enforce the penalties authorized in RCW 19.122.070 or 19.122.075. In such an action, the court may award the state all costs of investigation and trial, including a reasonable attorneys' fee fixed by the court.
[2011 c 263 § 19.]
19.122.150
Commission authority — Violations of chapter — Imposition of penalties. (Effective January 1, 2013, until December 31, 2020.)
(6) This section expires December 31, 2020.
[2011 c 263 § 21.]
19.122.160
Damage prevention account. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
The damage prevention account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from moneys directed by law or the commission to be deposited to the account must be deposited in the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for purposes designated in RCW 19.122.170. Only the commission or the commission's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW.
[2011 c 263 § 12.]
19.122.170
Damage prevention account — Use of funds. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
The commission may use money deposited in the damage prevention account created in RCW 19.122.160 to:
(1) Develop and disseminate educational programming designed to improve worker and public safety relating to excavation and underground facilities; and
(2) Provide grants to persons who have developed educational programming that the commission and the safety committee created pursuant to RCW 19.122.130 deem appropriate for improving worker and public safety relating to excavation and underground facilities.
[2011 c 263 § 13.]
19.122.180
Damage prevention account — Deposit of penalties. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
All penalties collected pursuant to RCW 19.122.150 must be deposited in the damage prevention account created in RCW 19.122.160.
[2011 c 263 § 22.]
19.122.900
Severability — 1984 c 144.
[1984 c 144 § 9.]
19.122.901
Short title — 2011 c 263. (Effective January 1, 2013.)
This act may be known and cited as the underground utility damage prevention act.
[2011 c 263 § 25.]