Board moves to simplify 'idea submission' form to boost public input

Board staff proposed revising the board’s idea submission form, which launched in 2020, to simplify questions and reduce barriers after staff reported little use in the past 18 months. Why it matters: The idea submission form and register are tools the board uses to collect public suggestions for underground-safety priorities. Staff said participation has been limited and recommended shortening the form, rearranging contact and issuer information to the top, asking more specific background questions, and removing items better suited for staff research. Discussion and public comments: Anne Diamond (Digler) supported simplification but cautioned that a question asking "what problem have you identified with the 811 system" could imply the RNCs are the problem; she recommended retaining the phrasing "what is the excavation safety concern." Board members suggested adding a low-barrier option for people who do not feel comfortable speaking at a meeting — a QR code at meetings or a short free-text field so attendees can submit ideas after the meeting. The board also noted the idea registry backlog and asked staff to consider ways to surface older submissions. Board direction: Members asked staff to revise the form based on the discussion, incorporate protections against implying RNC responsibility where not warranted, and return to the board with a revised form (the board discussed returning with the item in November). Staff suggested using the current form while revisions proceed and to promote the form at meetings. Next steps: Staff will revise the form to reduce barriers, adjust wording to avoid unintentionally assigning blame, and present the revised form to the board at a future meeting; staff will also consider QR-code or short-form options for in-person meetings to capture late or reluctant commenters.