Download Zipped Amended WordPerfect HB0341.ZIP
[Introduced][Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

H.B. 341

This document includes House Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Fri, Feb 8, 2008 at 11:57 AM by ddonat. --> This document includes House Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Mon, Feb 18, 2008 at 3:02 PM by jeyring. -->              1     

DAMAGE TO UNDERGROUND UTILITY

             2     
FACILITIES AMENDMENTS

             3     
2008 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: David Clark

             6     
Senate Sponsor: Sheldon L. Killpack

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill addresses liability provisions and other provisions concerning the location of
             11      an underground utility facility.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    defines terms;
             15          .    requires certain information be provided concerning an operators' association;
             16          .    provides warning language that may be included with a building permit;
             17          .    addresses requirements for and effects of a notice of excavation;
             18          .    describes an underground facility that need not be marked;
             19          .    outlines a method for determining the precise location of a marked underground
             20      utility facility;
             21      H. [     .    addresses liability of an excavator; ] .H
             22          .    requires an excavator to call 911 if certain damage occurs;
             23          .    provides a civil penalty for a violation of the chapter;
             24          .    provides for enforcement by the attorney general;
             25          .    limits the period for which an operators' association must maintain a record of
             26      notices of excavation;
             27          .    addresses the installation of a nonmetallic underground facility;


             28          .    creates the Underground Facilities Damage Dispute Board to arbitrate disputes
             29      arising under the chapter; and
             30          .    makes technical changes.
             31      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             32          None
             33      Other Special Clauses:
             34          None
             35      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             36      AMENDS:
             37          54-8a-2, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1998, Chapter 198
             38          54-8a-3, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter 87
             39          54-8a-4, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2001, Chapter 189
             40          54-8a-5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1998, Chapter 198
             41          54-8a-5.5, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1996, Chapter 203
             42          54-8a-6, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1998, Chapter 198
             43          54-8a-7, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2001, Chapter 189
             44          54-8a-9, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter 87
             45          54-8a-10, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter 87
             46      ENACTS:
             47          54-8a-3.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             48          54-8a-12, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             49          54-8a-13, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             50      REPEALS AND REENACTS:
             51          54-8a-8, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2001, Chapter 189
             52      REPEALS:
             53          54-8a-8.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2004, Chapter 90
             54          54-13-6, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1989, Chapter 131
             55     
             56      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             57          Section 1. Section 54-8a-2 is amended to read:
             58           54-8a-2. Definitions.


             59          As used in this chapter:
             60          (1) "Association" means two or more operators organized to receive notification of
             61      excavation activities in a specified area, as provided by Section 54-8a-9 .
             62          (2) "Board" means the Underground Facilities Damage Dispute Board created in
             63      Section 54-8a-13 .
             64          [(2)] (3) "Emergency" means an occurrence H. or suspected natural gas leak .H
             64a      necessitating immediate action to prevent
             65      or mitigate loss of, or damage to, life, health, property, or essential public services.
             66          [(3)] (4) "Excavate" or "excavation" means an operation in which earth, rock, or other
             67      material on or below the ground is moved or displaced by tools, equipment, or explosives.
             68          [(4)] (5) "Excavator" means any person or entity that excavates or conducts excavation
             69      activities.
             70          [(5)] (6) "48 hours" means a 48-hour period occurring during business days which
             71      includes any day except Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday.
             72          (7) "Hand tool" means an implement:
             73          (a) powered by hand; or
             74          (b) designed to avoid damaging an underground facility, including a vacuum
             75      excavation tool and air knife.
             76          (8) "Location" means the site of a proposed area of excavation described by:
             77          (a) (i) street address, if available; and
             78          (ii) the area at that street address to be excavated; or
             79          (b) if there is no street address available, the area of excavation using any available
             80      designations, including a nearby street or road, an intersection, GPS coordinates, or other
             81      generally accepted methods.
             82          [(6)] (9) "Location request assignment" means a number assigned to a proposed
             83      excavation by an association or operator upon receiving notice of the proposed excavation from
             84      the excavator.
             85          [(7)] (10) (a) "Operator" means a person [or entity which] who owns, operates, or
             86      maintains an underground [facilities] facility.
             87          (b) "Operator" does not include an owner of real property where underground facilities
             88      are:
             89          (i) located solely within the property;


             90          (ii) used exclusively to furnish services on the property; and
             91          (iii) maintained under the operation and control of that owner.
             92          [(8)] (11) "Person" includes [individuals, government entities, corporations,
             93      partnerships, associations, and companies and their trustees, receivers, assignees, and personal
             94      representatives.]:
             95          (a) an individual, government entity, corporation, partnership, association, or company;
             96      and
             97          (b) the trustee, receiver, assignee, and personal representative of a person listed in
             98      Subsection (11)(a).
             99          (12) "24 hours" means a 24-hour period, excluding hours occurring during a Saturday,
             100      Sunday, or a legal holiday.
             101          [(9)] (13) "Underground facility" means personal property that is buried or placed
             102      below ground level for use in the storage or conveyance of any of the following:
             103          (a) water;
             104          (b) sewage;
             105          (c) communications, including electronic, photonic, telephonic, or telegraphic
             106      communications;
             107          (d) television, cable television, or other telecommunication signals, including
             108      transmission to subscribers of video or other programming;
             109          (e) electric power;
             110          (f) oil, gas, or other fluid and gaseous substances;
             111          (g) steam;
             112          (h) slurry; or
             113          (i) dangerous materials or products.
             114          Section 2. Section 54-8a-3 is amended to read:
             115           54-8a-3. Information filed with county clerk.
             116          (1) An operator shall file with the county clerk of a county in which the operator has an
             117      underground [facilities] facility the following:
             118          (a) the name of each municipality, city, or town in which the operator has an
             119      underground [facilities] facility within that county;
             120          (b) the operator's name; [and]


             121          (c) the title, telephone number, and address of the operator's representative designated
             122      to receive calls regarding excavation[.]; and
             123          (d) a statement concerning whether the operator is a member of an association and, if
             124      the operator is a member of an association, the name of and contact information for the
             125      association.
             126          (2) In [counties] a county where an association is established, the association shall file
             127      its telephone number and a list of its members who are operators with the county clerk on
             128      behalf of [all] any participating [operators] operator.
             129          Section 3. Section 54-8a-3.5 is enacted to read:
             130          54-8a-3.5. Excavation-related information included with construction and
             131      building permit.
             132          An entity issuing a permit for building or construction that may require excavation may,
             133      and is encouraged to, include a notice on or with a permit stating, "Attention, Utah law requires
             134      any excavator to notify the owner of underground facilities 48 hours before excavating and
             135      comply with Utah Code Title 54, Chapter 8a, Damage to Underground Utility Facilities."
             136          Section 4. Section 54-8a-4 is amended to read:
             137           54-8a-4. Notice of excavation.
             138          (1) (a) Before excavating, an excavator shall notify each operator with an underground
             139      [facilities] facility in the area of the proposed excavation.
             140          (b) The requirements of Subsection (1)(a) do not apply:
             141          (i) if there is an emergency;
             142          (ii) while gardening; H. [ [ ] or [ ] ] .H
             143          (iii) while tilling private ground H. [ [ ] . [ ] ] [ ; or
             144          (iv) while probing with an industry-approved probe bar to determine the presence or
             145      extent of a natural gas leak in the ground.
] .H

             146          (2) The notice required by Subsection (1) shall:
             147          (a) be given:
             148          (i) by telephone;
             149          (ii) in person; or
             150          (iii) by other means acceptable to each operator;
             151          (b) be given not:


             152          (i) less than 48 hours before excavation begins; or
             153          (ii) more than [seven] 14 days before excavation begins; and
             154          (c) include the proposed excavation's anticipated:
             155          (i) location H. , with reasonable specificity .H ;
             156          (ii) dimensions;
             157          (iii) type; and
             158          (iv) duration.
             159          (3) If the proposed excavation's anticipated location and dimensions cannot be
             160      described as required under Subsection (2)(c), an excavator shall [mark] outline the proposed
             161      excavation site in white paint, stakes, flags, or other industry-accepted manner.
             162          (4) If more than one excavator will operate at the same excavation site, each excavator
             163      shall provide the notice required by this section.
             164          [(4)] (5) If there is an association in the county, notice to that association constitutes
             165      notice to each operator [in the county] that has facilities within the proposed excavation site.
             166          [(5) If an excavation on a single project lasts more than 14 days, the excavator shall
             167      give notice at least once each additional 14-day period.]
             168          (6) (a) Notice given under this section is valid for 14 days from the day on which the
             169      notice is given.
             170          (b) If an excavation will continue beyond the 14-day period under Subsection (6)(a),
             171      the excavator shall provide notice of that fact at least 48 hours before expiration of the 14-day
             172      period.
             173          (c) A notice under Subsection (6)(b) is valid for 14 days from the day on which the
             174      previous notice expires.
             175          (d) An excavator shall give notice as provided in this Subsection (6) for the duration of
             176      the excavation.
             177          [(6)] (7) If markings made by the operator have been disturbed so that the markings no
             178      longer identify the underground [facilities] facility:
             179          (a) before excavating the site an excavator shall notify:
             180          (i) the association; or
             181          (ii) each operator; and
             182          (b) the operator shall mark the area again within 48 hours of the renotification.


             183          [(7)] (8) An excavator may begin excavation if:
             184          (a) (i) all underground facilities have been:
             185          (A) located; and
             186          (B) marked; or
             187          (ii) the operators have indicated that there are no underground facilities within the
             188      proposed excavation site;
             189          (b) (i) 48 hours have elapsed from the time of initial notice; and
             190          (ii) the excavator has not:
             191          (A) been notified by the operator; or
             192          (B) received a request for a meeting under Subsection 54-8a-5 (2); or
             193          (c) 48 hours have elapsed from the time of renotification under Subsection (6).
             194          [(8)] (9) Unless an operator remarks an area pursuant to Subsection [(6)] (7), the
             195      excavator shall be responsible for the costs incurred by an operator to remark its underground
             196      facilities following the second or subsequent notice given by an excavator for a proposed
             197      excavation [designated by the same location request assignment].
             198          Section 5. Section 54-8a-5 is amended to read:
             199           54-8a-5. Marking of underground facilities.
             200          (1) (a) Within 48 hours of the receipt of the notice required by Section 54-8a-4 , the
             201      operator shall:
             202          (i) mark the location of its underground facilities in the area of the proposed
             203      excavation; or
             204          (ii) notify the excavator, by telephonic H. or electronic .H message or indication at the
             204a      excavation site, that
             205      the operator does not have any underground [facilities] facility in the area of the proposed
             206      excavation.
             207          (b) The underground [facilities] facility shall be marked with stakes, paint, or in some
             208      other customary way, indicating, at the option of the operator, either:
             209          (i) the approximate centerline of the underground facility; or
             210          (ii) the approximate outside dimensions of both sides of the underground facility.
             211          (2) (a) The operator is not required to mark the underground facilities within 48 hours
             212      if:
             213          (i) the proposed excavation:


             214          (A) is not [clearly described by a street address or description and] identified in
             215      accordance with Subsection 54-8a-4 (2) or is not marked as provided in Subsection 54-8a-4 (3);
             216          (B) is located in a remote area;
             217          (C) is an extensive excavation; or
             218          (D) presents other constraints that make it unreasonably difficult for the operator to
             219      comply with the marking requirements of this section; or
             220          (ii) the operator is not able to readily locate the underground facilities from the surface
             221      with standard underground detection devices.
             222          (b) If the operator cannot proceed with the marking because of a situation described in
             223      Subsection (2)(a), the operator shall contact the excavator within 48 hours after the excavator's
             224      notice of excavation or request for a location request assignment made in accordance with
             225      Section 54-8a-4 and request a meeting at the proposed excavation site or some other mutually
             226      agreed upon location.
             227          (c) For [the situations] a situation described under [Subsections] Subsection
             228      (2)(a)(i)[(A) and (2)(a)(i)(B), the meeting will constitute the beginning of a new 48-hour period
             229      within which the operator must mark the underground facilities. (d) For the situations
             230      described under Subsections (2)(a)(i)(C) and (2)(a)(i)(D)], the meeting [will constitute]
             231      constitutes the beginning of a new 48-hour period within which the operator must begin
             232      marking the underground facilities.
             233          [(e)] (d) (i) For the situation described under Subsection (2)(a)(ii), the excavator and
             234      operator shall agree on a plan of excavation designed to prevent damage to the operator's
             235      underground [facilities] facility.
             236          (ii) Notwithstanding the agreement, the excavator shall proceed in a manner that is
             237      reasonably calculated to avoid damage to the underground [facilities] facility.
             238          (e) (i) An operator need not mark or locate an underground facility the operator does
             239      not own.
             240          (ii) An underground facility under Subsection (2)(e)(i) includes a water or sewer lateral
             241      or a facility running from a house to a garage or outbuilding.
             242          (f) (i) An operator may mark the location of a known facility connected to the
             243      operator's facilities that is not owned or operated by the operator.
             244          (ii) Marking a known facility under Subsection (2)(f)(i) imposes no liability on the


             245      operator for the accuracy of the marking.
             246          (3) The markings required by this section shall conform [to the following color code
             247      for each type of installation:] with marking standards established by the American Public
             248      Works Association for temporary markings.
             249          [(a) safety red - electric power;]
             250          [(b) safety yellow - gas, oil, a dangerous material or product, or steam;]
             251          [(c) safety orange - communications or cable television;]
             252          [(d) safety blue - water or slurry; and]
             253          [(e) safety green - sewer.]
             254          (4) Each marking is valid for not more than 14 calendar days from the date notice is
             255      given.
             256          (5) If multiple lines exist:
             257          (a) the markings must indicate the number of lines; or
             258          (b) all lines must be marked.
             259          Section 6. Section 54-8a-5.5 is amended to read:
             260           54-8a-5.5. Determining the precise location of marked underground facilities.
             261          (1) (a) An excavator may not use any power-operated or power-driven excavating or
             262      boring equipment within 24 inches of the markings made in accordance with Section 54-8a-5
             263      [before] unless the excavator [has determined] determines the exact location of the
             264      underground [facilities] facility by excavating with hand tools to confirm that the excavation
             265      will not damage the underground facilities.
             266          (b) An operator may waive H. , in writing or electronically, .H the requirement that the
             266a      excavator determine the exact
             267      location of the underground facilities by excavating with hand tools.
             268          (2) Power-operated or power-driven excavating or boring equipment may be used for
             269      the removal of any existing pavement if there [are] is no underground [facilities] facility
             270      contained in the pavement, as marked by the operator.
             271          (3) The excavator may use power-operated or power-driven excavating or boring
             272      equipment within 24 inches of the markings only:
             273          (a) to a depth agreed upon by the operator; and
             274          (b) if allowed by the operator.
             275          Section 7. Section 54-8a-6 is amended to read:


             276           54-8a-6. Duties and liabilities of an excavator.
             277          (1) Damage to an underground facility by an excavator who excavates but fails to
             278      comply with Section 54-8a-4 , is prima facie evidence that the excavator is liable for any
             279      damage caused by the negligence of that excavator.
             280          (2) (a) An excavator is not liable for [damage to an underground facility] a civil penalty
             281      under this chapter if [he or she] the excavator has:
             282          (i) given proper notice of the proposed excavation as required in this chapter;
             283          (ii) marked the area of the proposed excavation as required in Section 54-8a-4 ;
             284          (iii) complied with Section 54-8a-5.5 ; and
             285          (iv) complied with Section 54-8a-7 .
             286          (b) An excavator is [not] liable for damage H. [ to an underground facility ] incurred by an
             286a      operator .H if [an operator
             287      has failed to comply with Section 54-8a-5 or 54-8a-9 .]:
             288          (i) the operator complies with Section 54-8a-5 ; and
             289          (ii) the damage occurs within 24 inches of the operator's markings.
             290           H. [ (3) Notwithstanding Subsection 54-8a-4 (1)(b)(i), an excavator is liable for damage to
             291      an underground facility that occurs during an emergency.
] .H

             292          Section 8. Section 54-8a-7 is amended to read:
             293           54-8a-7. Notice of damage -- Repairs.
             294          (1) If an excavator contacts or damages an underground facility, the excavator shall:
             295          (a) immediately notify the appropriate operator and then proceed in a manner that is
             296      reasonably calculated to avoid further damage to the underground facility[.]; and
             297          (b) immediately call 911 if the excavation H. [ results ] may result .H in H. [ the escape
             297a      of a flammable gas or
             298      toxic or corrosive gas or liquid, or damages an electrical line
] an immediate risk to

             298a      human life .H .
             299          (2) Upon receipt of notice, the operator shall immediately examine the underground
             300      facility, and, if necessary, make repairs.
             301          Section 9. Section 54-8a-8 is repealed and reenacted to read:
             302          54-8a-8. Civil penalty for damage -- Exceptions -- Other remedies.
             303          (1) A civil penalty may be imposed for a violation of this chapter as provided in this
             304      section.
             305          (2) A civil penalty under this section may be imposed on:
             306          (a) any person who violates this chapter in an amount no greater than $2,500 for each


             307      violation with a maximum civil penalty of $100,000 per excavation; or
             308          (b) an excavator who fails to provide notice of an excavation in accordance with
             309      Section 54-8a-4 in an amount no greater than $500 in addition to the amount under Subsection
             310      (2)(a).
             311          (3) Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(a) a penalty under this chapter may not be
             312      imposed H. [ :
             313          (a)
] .H
on an excavator H. or operator .H unless the excavator H. or operator .H
             313a      fails to comply with this chapter and damages
             314      an underground facility H. [ ; or
             315          (b) on an operator unless:
             316          (i) (A) the operator fails to respond to a location request under Section 54-8a-5 in order
             317      to prevent damage to the facility; or
             318          (B) the operator fails to take reasonable steps, in response to a location request, to
             319      ensure accurate marking of the facility in order to prevent damage to the facility; and
             320          (ii) damage occurs to an underground facility as a result of the operator's failure under
             321      Subsection (3)(b)(i)(A) or (B)
] .H
.
             322          (4) The amount of a civil penalty under this section shall be made taking into
             323      consideration the following:
             324          (a) the excavator's or operator's history of any prior violation or penalty;
             325          (b) the seriousness of the violation;
             326          (c) any discharge or pollution resulting from the damage;
             327          (d) the hazard to the health or safety of the public;
             328          (e) the degree of culpability and willfulness of the violation;
             329          (f) any good faith of the excavator or operator; and
             330          (g) any other factor considered relevant, including the number of past excavations
             331      conducted by the excavator, the number of location requests made by the excavator and the
             332      number of location markings made for the excavator or by the operator.
             333          (5) "Good faith," as used in Subsection (4)(f) includes actions taken before the filing of
             334      an action for civil penalty under this section to:
             335          (a) remedy, in whole or in part, a violation of this chapter; or
             336          (b) mitigate the consequences and damages resulting from a violation of this chapter.
             337          (6) (a) A civil penalty may not be imposed on an excavator if the damage to an


             338      underground facility results from an operator's:
             339          (i) failure to mark; or
             340          (ii) inaccurate marking or locating of the operator's underground facilities.
             341          (b) In addition to or in lieu of part of or all of a civil penalty, the excavator or operator
             342      may be required to undertake actions that are designed to prevent future violations of this
             343      chapter, including attending safety and compliance training, improving internal monitoring and
             344      compliance processes and procedures, or any other action that may result in compliance with
             345      this chapter.
             346          (7) Subsection (1) does not apply to an excavation made:
             347          (a) during an emergency, if reasonable precautions are taken to protect any
             348      underground facility;
             349          (b) in agricultural operations;
             350          (c) for the purpose of finding or extracting natural resources; or
             351          (d) with hand tools on property owned or occupied by the excavator.
             352          (8) (a) A civil penalty under this section is in addition to any damages that an operator
             353      or an excavator may seek to recover.
             354          (b) In an action brought under this section, the prevailing party shall be awarded its
             355      costs and attorney fees as determined by the court.
             356          Section 10. Section 54-8a-9 is amended to read:
             357           54-8a-9. Association for mutual receipt of notice of excavation activities.
             358          (1) (a) (i) Two or more operators may form and operate a statewide association
             359      providing for mutual receipt of notice of excavation activities.
             360          (ii) If an association is operational, notice to the association shall be given pursuant to
             361      Section 54-8a-4 .
             362          (b) (i) If an association is formed, each operator with an underground [facilities]
             363      facility in the area shall become a member of the association [or] and participate in it to:
             364          (A) receive a notice of a proposed excavation submitted to the association;
             365          (B) receive the services furnished by it; and
             366          (C) pay its share of the cost for the service furnished.
             367          (ii) If an operator does not comply with Subsection (1)(b)(i) and Section 54-8a-5 , [he]
             368      the operator is liable for damages incurred by an excavator who [has complied] complies with


             369      [the] this chapter's requirements [under this chapter].
             370          (c) An association whose members or participants have underground facilities within a
             371      county shall:
             372          (i) file a description of the geographical area served by the association; and
             373          (ii) file the name and address of every member and participating operator with the
             374      county clerk.
             375          (2) An association receiving notice as provided in Subsection 54-8a-4 (1) shall:
             376          (a) notify members and participants in the relevant geographic area within 24 hours
             377      after receiving notice from the person who proposes to excavate; and
             378          (b) maintain a record of [notices] any notice received for a period of five years to
             379      document compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
             380          Section 11. Section 54-8a-10 is amended to read:
             381           54-8a-10. Installation of nonmetallic facilities.
             382          Any operator [utilizing a fiberoptic or other] installing a nonmetallic facility, such as a
             383      sewer, water, or fiber optic line, shall install the [fiberoptic or other] nonmetallic facility so that
             384      it can be located with standard underground facility detection devices or in a concrete conduit
             385      system.
             386          Section 12. Section 54-8a-12 is enacted to read:
             387          54-8a-12. Enforcement -- Attorney general.
             388          (1) (a) The attorney general may bring an action in the district court located in the
             389      county in which the excavation is located to enforce this chapter.
             390          (b) The right of any person to bring a civil action for damage arising from an
             391      excavator's or operator's actions or conduct relating to underground facilities is not affected by:
             392          (i) a proceeding commenced by the attorney general under this chapter; or
             393          (ii) the imposition of a civil penalty under this chapter.
             394          (c) If the attorney general does not bring an action under Subsection (1)(a), the operator
             395      or excavator may pursue any remedy, including a civil penalty.
             396          (2) Any civil penalty imposed and collected under this chapter shall be deposited into
             397      the General Fund.
             398          Section 13. Section 54-8a-13 is enacted to read:
             399          54-8a-13. Underground Facilities Damage Dispute Board -- Arbitration --


             400      Relationship with Public Service Commission.
             401          (1) There is created within the commission the Underground Facilities Damage
             402      Dispute Board to arbitrate a dispute arising from H. :
             402a          (a) .H an operator's or excavator's violation of this
             403      chapter H. [ . ] ; and
             403a          (b) damage caused by excavation during an emergency. .H
             404          (2) The board consists of five members appointed by the governor as follows:
             405          (a) one member from a list of names provided to the governor by a group representing
             406      operators;
             407          (b) one member from a list of names provided to the governor by the Associated
             408      General Contractors;
             409          (c) one member from a list of names provided to the governor by Blue Stakes of Utah;
             410          (d) one member from a list of names provided to the governor by the Utah Home
             411      Builders Association; and
             412          (e) one member from the Division of Public Utilities.
             413          (3) (a) A member of the board:
             414          (i) shall be appointed for a three-year term; and
             415          (ii) may continue to serve until the member's successor takes office.
             416          (b) At the time of appointment, the governor shall stagger the terms of the members to
             417      ensure that approximately 1/3 of the members of the board are reappointed each year.
             418          (c) A vacancy in the board shall be filled:
             419          (i) for the unexpired term; and
             420          (ii) in the same manner as the board member is initially appointed.
             421          (d) The board shall select an alternate for a specific board member to serve on a
             422      specific case if it becomes necessary to replace a member who has a conflict of interest because
             423      a dispute involves that member or that member's employer.
             424          (4) Three members of the board constitute a quorum.
             425          (5) The board may, upon agreement of the disputing parties, arbitrate a dispute
             426      regarding damages, not including personal injury damages, arising between:
             427          (a) an operator;
             428          (b) an excavator;
             429          (c) a property owner; or
             430          (d) any other interested party.


             431          (6) At least four members of the board shall be present and vote on an arbitration
             432      decision.
             433          (7) An arbitration before the board shall be consistent with Title 78, Chapter 31a, Utah
             434      Uniform Arbitration Act.
             435          (8) The prevailing party in an arbitration conducted under this section shall be awarded
             436      its costs and attorney fees in an amount determined by the board.
             437          (9) (a) A member of the board who is not a state officer or employee or local
             438      government officer or employee shall receive no compensation or benefits for the member's
             439      service, but may receive per diem and expenses incurred in the performance of the member's
             440      duties at the rates established by the Division of Finance under Sections 63A-3-106 and
             441      63A-3-107 . Members may decline to receive per diem and expenses for their services.
             442          (b) A state officer or employee or local government officer or employee member of the
             443      board who does not receive salary, per diem, or expenses from their agency or employer for
             444      their service on the board may receive per diem and expenses incurred in the performance of
             445      the member's duties at the rates established by the Division of Finance under Sections
             446      63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107 . State and local government officer or employee members may
             447      decline to receive per diem and expenses for their services.
             448          (10) The commission shall provide administrative support to the board.
             449          Section 14. Repealer.
             450          This bill repeals:
             451          Section 54-8a-8.5, Alternative dispute resolution.
             452          Section 54-13-6, Violation of chapter -- Penalty.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-24-08 11:43 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]