What's happening
This bill requires excavators in New York to notify 911, instead of the fire department, if underground facility damage causes hazardous leaks or electrical shorts.
Why it matters
Streamlines emergency response. By requiring excavators to call 911 instead of the fire department after damaging underground facilities with hazardous leaks or electrical issues, the law ensures that all relevant emergency services (fire, police, EMS) are dispatched more quickly and efficiently.
Reduces confusion during emergencies. Excavators may not always know which local fire department to contact, especially in areas with multiple jurisdictions. Directing all such emergency notifications to 911 centralizes reporting and avoids delays.
Enhances public safety and accountability. Immediate notification to 911 can result in faster evacuation and hazard mitigation, potentially preventing injuries, fatalities, and greater property damage in the event of gas leaks or electrical shorts.
Aligns with modern emergency protocols. The amendment reflects the current standard where 911 serves as the universal point of contact for emergencies, keeping the law up-to-date with best practices in emergency communications.
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Who cares
Excavators
The bill would require them to notify 911, rather than the fire department, when an electrical short or escaping gas or hazardous fluids endangers life.
911 dispatchers and fire departments
The bill would shift the required emergency notification from direct contact with the fire department to 911.
Underground utility operators
They would continue to receive immediate notice of contact with or damage to their facilities and retain control over inspection and repair authorization.
People endangered by excavation incidents
The bill would route emergency notification through 911 while preserving excavators’ duties to warn endangered people and assist in their evacuation.
Headline styles
Excavators Must Call 911
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Signed chap.505
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- 3rd reading cal.1189
- Substituted for S5163
- Referred to consumer protection
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Advanced to third reading cal.271
- Reported
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Report Underground Utility Damage
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor Leroy Comrie
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7287
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 18, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to notification by an excavator of damage to an underground facility
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 5 of section 764 of the general business law, as amended by chapter 333 of the laws of 2018, is amended to read as follows:
5. In the event of contact with and/or damage to an underground facility, the excavator shall immediately notify the operator of the facility and no backfilling shall be done by the excavator until inspection and/or repairs have been made by the operator and no repairs shall be undertaken by the excavator until authorized by the operator. In the event of an electrical short or the escape of gas or hazardous fluids endangering life, the excavator shall immediately notify the operator of the electric, gas or hazardous liquid underground facility and [the fire department] 911, and all persons who might be endangered and assist in the evacuation of such persons.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as section 6 of chapter 333 of the laws of 2018, takes effect.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10938-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.