Public Comments Highlight AB 825 Challenges for California Contractors and Board Regulations

The Underground Safety Board Meeting held on July 14, 2025, focused on critical discussions surrounding legislative changes and public safety in underground utility operations. The meeting commenced with the introduction of Rick Johnny, the new operational director, who expressed enthusiasm for contributing to the team.

The agenda included a public participation segment, allowing both in-person and remote attendees to voice their comments. The chair emphasized the importance of orderly communication, instructing participants on how to engage effectively.

The first public comment came from Mike Donlin of MD Safety Services, representing United Contractors. He highlighted the involvement of Yukon with the board and raised concerns regarding Assembly Bill 825, which was recently discussed in the legislature. Donlin pointed out that the bill could impose burdensome requirements on contractors, particularly regarding the timeline for obtaining excavation tickets. He stressed the need for clarity in the regulations to ensure they are practical for excavators.

Following Donlin, Todd Bloemstein from the Southern California Contractors Association provided additional insights on AB 825. He noted that the bill includes provisions for tribal access to excavation information and aims to address the overwhelming volume of excavation tickets that utility companies face. Bloemstein mentioned ongoing collaboration with various stakeholders to develop a new ticketing system tailored for designers and engineers, separate from the existing framework.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the bill's author to refine the language in the coming month, indicating a proactive approach to addressing the concerns raised by industry representatives. Overall, the discussions underscored the board's focus on enhancing safety regulations while balancing the operational needs of contractors in the underground utility sector.