Changes to Excavation Damage Prevention Rules in Mississippi

The State of Mississippi has recently revised Title 77 – Public Utilities and Carriers; Chapter 13 – Regulation of Excavations Near Underground Utility Facilities. In addition to various changes to the existing rules on excavation damage prevention, the rule creates a new Design Information Request, requiring response within 7 days by utility owners to a person providing professional services and making a request in preparation for bidding, preconstruction engineering, or other advance planning efforts that do not involve excavation. There is also a new section that includes the creation of a new Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Board charged with enforcement and the creation of an Underground Damage Prevention Fund which will be used by the Board.