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Utah House approves bill tightening utility-damage response, adds ADR and fee award
Summary
The House passed Senate Bill 224 unanimously after debate and an amendment. The bill clarifies excavator notification duties, carves out several exceptions (including emergencies and some agricultural work), adds alternative dispute resolution for damage claims and allows court-awarded costs and attorneys’ fees to the prevailing party when litigation occurs.
The Utah House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 224 on Feb. 28, approving a set of changes to state law that adjust contractor obligations and liability when underground utility facilities are damaged during excavation.
The sponsor said the measure, commonly described as a revision to the state’s “blue stakes” rules, requires excavators to notify the appropriate utility operator when a line is hit and then to take reasonable steps to avoid further damage. The bill identifies exceptions — including…
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