Board and RNCs continue review of electronic positive response codes to boost clarity

Board staff reported July 15 on continuing work with regional notification centers (RNCs) to improve the clarity and consistency of electronic positive response (EPR) codes used on locate tickets. What staff described: Since 2024, staff and stakeholders have evaluated the EPR code list to remove ambiguous or redundant codes and to add category labels and clearer descriptions to improve field communication. Staff held an EPR workshop in March 2025, followed by meetings with RNC leadership in May. RNC representatives told staff they could add code-category labels and clearer descriptions to the existing EPR codes. Staff action: On July 3 staff sent a formal letter to the RNC ticket-continuity committee outlining staff concerns and asking to coordinate on code changes. Staff recommended that, if the ticket-continuity committee does not respond by September 1, staff should follow up and report back at the board’s next meeting. Staff also suggested opening a board agenda placeholder for possible action depending on the committee’s response. Public comment highlights: Digler (representing a regional RNC operator) asked that code wording avoid implying site visits where operators’ processes would not always include physical visits for every ticket; another commenter said that certain descriptions such as "clear no markings requested" may confuse excavators when operators did provide markings but a secondary ticket shows "no markings requested." Staff and RNCs will continue to coordinate language to reduce confusion. Next steps: Staff will follow up with the ticket-continuity committee, incorporate RNC feedback and return to the board with recommended EPR wording changes for public review and possible implementation.