HB 5546

Abstract

Amends the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act. Removes references to the State-Wide One-Call Notice System and replaces it with JULIE, Inc. Sets forth additional definitions. Provides that owners or operators of underground utility facilities are required to be members of JULIE. Sets forth requirements for excavators engaging in nonemergency excavation or demolition. Sets forth notice requirements prior to engaging in the excavation or demolition. Provides that underground utility facility owners or operators may request to be present when excavation occurs when there is a critical facility within a proposed excavation area and excavators shall comply with a request to be present during excavation. Creates the positive response system to be implemented by January 1, 2026. Provides that excavators and facility owners or operators shall use the positive response system to send and respond to required notices. Sets forth required response times in various circumstances. Provides that facility owners or operators shall respond to a valid planning design request and the requirements for the response. Provides for joint meet notifications and sets forth responsibilities of excavators and facility owners or operators for a joint meet. Provides that any county or the State that has shared geographic information system data with any other not-for-profit or agency shall share the information with JULIE. Sets forth requirements for emergency excavation or demolition circumstances. Sets forth liability for damage or dislocation of a facility. Makes other changes. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2025, all parties submitting alleged violations to the Illinois Commerce Commission shall use the forms provided and shall submit the alleged violations no later than 65 days after the discovery of the alleged violation. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2025, the Illinois Commerce Commission shall provide for public review a monthly report listing all of the submitted alleged violations reports it received in the prior month. Makes changes in provisions concerning watch and protect; planning design requests; joint meet notifications; emergency excavation or demolition; records of notice and marking of facilities; and penalties and liability. Defines terms. Effective January 1, 2025.