Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act
Tennessee · Public Utilities and Carriers · §§ 65-31-101 to 65-31-120 · 20 sections
Overview
The act governs excavation and demolition work near buried utility infrastructure, with the goal of preventing damage to underground lines. It requires utility operators to join a centralized notification center and requires anyone planning to excavate to notify that center in advance, wait a specified period, and work within a site marked according to a standard color code identifying the type of line. It also sets out the corresponding duties of operators, excavators, designers, and project owners, provides exemptions for certain routine maintenance and roadway work, allocates liability between operators and excavators, and gives a state regulatory body authority to adopt rules, convene an advisory committee, and impose civil penalties.
Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.
In the courts
Sections of this act have been cited in 2 court decisions.
Most-cited authority: 273 S.W.3d 628 - Ward v. City of Lebanon
Sections covered
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-101Short title1 cite
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-102Chapter definitions
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-103Permits do not relieve liability
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-104Excavations without ascertainment of underground utilities prohibited
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-105Filing requirements for utility operators
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-106Notice of intent to excavate or demolish1 cite
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-107Operator associations for mutual receipt of notifications
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-108Response to notice of intent to excavate or demolish
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-109Emergency excavation or demolition
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-110Precautions to avoid damage
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-111Notice of excavation or demolition damage
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-112Civil penalties and remedies — Liability — Indemnification — Offense of Vandalism
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-113Severability
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-114Underground utility damage enforcement board — Executive committee
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-115Powers and duties of board
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-116Investigation of complaint of violation of chapter — Issuance of citations — Hearing — Appeal — Petition for review
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-117Underground damage prevention fund
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-118Design locate request
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-119Administrative and investigative support of Tennessee public utility commission limited to advisory capacity
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-120Clarification of liability, obligations and reporting requirements related to excavation activities
Enacted in other states
All Tennessee named statutes →
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