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SB 778 changes to DigSafe Act took effect Jan. 1, 2025; bulletin outlines new operator and excavator duties
Summary
The board presented an informational bulletin summarizing SB 778 amendments to the DigSafe Act, which became effective Jan. 1, 2025. The bulletin highlights changes to ticket expiration rules, electronic positive response obligations, definitions for "approximate location," and new deadlines for operator responses.
The California Underground Safety Board on Sept. 9 summarized statutory changes to the DigSafe Act enacted by Senate Bill 778 and published an information bulletin to help operators and excavators align procedures with the new law. Alexandra Ojair, an education and outreach ambassador for the board, said SB 778, introduced in 2023, took effect Jan. 1, 2025, and alters both excavator and operator duties. “This particular Senate bill, SB 778, was introduced in 2023 by Senator Ochoa Bogue,” Ojair said, and the board released the bulletin in December 2024 to explain the updates. Key changes highlighted in the bulletin include: removal of a fixed two‑day waiting period after ticket expiration (an excavator must stop when a ticket expires and obtain a new ticket; operators must fulfill their obligations before excavation resumes); clarification that operators must fulfill statutory duties — including providing electronic positive response (EPR), locating and marking or providing a map — by the legal excavation start date and time; and a new statutory definition of “approximate location” as 24 inches on either side of the subsurface installation. The bulletin also clarifies emergency‑response and damage‑reporting rules: an excavator must call 911 immediately when damage to a gas or hazardous liquid pipeline results in an escape of flammable, toxic or corrosive material or when the damage involves a high‑priority facility; otherwise, operators and excavators must notify relevant 811 centers within 48 hours. Ojair emphasized the bulletin is a guide, not legal advice, and urged operators and excavators to consult their legal teams and update operational procedures. The board pointed attendees to the online bulletin (with links to the DigSafe Act and the board’s regulations) and printed copies available at the meeting. Why it matters: The amendments change timing and response expectations for operators and excavators and add clarity to definitions used across field marking and ticketing systems. Organizations that have not updated procedures since Jan. 1, 2025, may be out of compliance, the board warned. Where to review: The board posted the SB 778 information bulletin and links to the DigSafe Act and related regulations on the Energy Safety website.
