(Tallahassee, FL - April 28, 2010) Today, the House took up and passed CS/CS/SB 982 on a vote of 112-0. The bill will now go to the Governor for final action. This legislation makes changes to the Underground Facility Damage Prevention & Safety Act (One Call). This bill was a priority for UUCF for the 2010 Legislative Session.

Changes include:

1. Adopts low impact marking provisions to minimize the amount and duration of paint on the ground.
2. Clarifies intent to have statewide damage prevention regulation. Local governments are passing ordinances (mandatory white lining, use of only chalk based paint) that will create requirements different from Chapter 556, F.S., and make it difficult for utilities and contractors to know the rules.
3. Requires Sunshine State One Call of Florida, Inc. (SSOCOF) to establish a voluntary alternative dispute resolution process to resolve disputes arising from excavation activities. This is a UUCF priority.
4. Provides an increase in penalties for violations of Chapter 556, F.S., including development of a process to allow SSOCOF to contract with the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) to determine appropriate penalties for serious “incidents” (death, hospitalization, significant property damage) involving pipelines (natural gas, gasoline) that are identified as “high priority” installations by the operators of those installations.

Additional changes:

1. Clarifies provisions for underwater marking.
2. Deletes the obsolete provision to conduct a feasibility study in 2007.
3. Deletes redundant provisions regarding a limited waiver of sovereign immunity.
4. Prohibits using any member’s required and shared information from being used for sales and marketing purposes.
5. Requires reports to SSOCOF of Chapter 556, F.S., violations filed with Clerks of Court.