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Committee approves damage prevention rule changes; removes some oversight and complaint burdens
Summary
The Senate Commerce Committee approved revisions to the Damage Prevention Board rules that eliminated a requirement that complainants identify specific Idaho Code sections, removed board oversight responsibilities on adequacy of technology, and streamlined reporting language following stakeholder review.
Amy Lorenzo presented the Damage Prevention Board docket (243990‑2401), explaining the board — created in 2016 and not a licensing board — focuses on education, outreach and oversight of safe digging practices. DOPL said it conducted public board meetings, negotiated rulemaking and three public hearings with utilities, municipalities and locate companies participating.
Under the revised rules, DOPL removed a requirement that complainants identify relevant sections of Idaho Code when filing a complaint; staff will instead identify the applicable statute. The board also recommended deleting provisions that would have the board evaluate adequacy of facility owners’ technology and services, noting that such responsibilities were not enforced since the board’s inception and that advances in locate/damage‑prevention technology had made some provisions outdated. DOPL also streamlined reporting language at the end of the chapter.
Senator Leahy moved to approve the docket; the motion was seconded and the committee approved the changes. DOPL said the board’s changes were intended to lower barriers to reporting and reflect current industry technology and practice.
