People could hire approved line locators after utilities miss required steps

The person planning the work could hire a locator to check for underground lines and mark them if found. This would apply to people planning digging or demolition after a utility receives their work notice. The utility would have to miss required line information, an electronic status response, or a required notice that it cannot locate or mark its lines. A person could also hire a locator when the utility says it cannot locate or mark its lines as required. The locator would have to be approved by that utility. This option would apply when the utility receives the work notice after June 30, 2026.

The person who hires the locator would report the fee, and the utility would pay that person three times the reported amount. This would cover an approved locator hired for planned digging or demolition under the proposal. The locator would have to finish the work before the person reports the fee. The 811 service could ask for a bill or other proof of the amount paid. The utility would pay after the service sends it the report. The utility would pay within the time the 811 service sets.

Utilities would name approved outside locators, and the 811 service would share those lists with people reporting planned work. This would cover utilities under Indiana’s underground line law and people who report digging or demolition plans. Each utility would approve at least one locator and regularly update or confirm its list. Utilities would send their approvals by June 1, 2026. The service would share the lists for notices it receives after June 30, 2026.