Beginning January 1, 2027, Alabama excavators and underground facility owners will operate under updates to the state’s underground damage prevention law following the passage of Senate Bill 205. The legislation represents months of collaboration among excavators, utility owners, locators, Alabama 811, legislators, and other stakeholders to improve safety while addressing the growing volume of excavation work across the state.
The timing couldn’t be more important. Alabama is seeing unprecedented investment in broadband expansion, transportation improvements, water and sewer infrastructure, and energy projects. As construction activity continues to increase, so does the demand for utility locates. SB 205 modernizes Alabama’s damage prevention process to help excavators complete projects more efficiently while protecting critical underground infrastructure.
A New Process for Large Projects
One of the most significant changes is the creation of a Complex/Large Project process for excavation work that requires more coordination than a typical locate request.
Projects may qualify if they meet one or more of the following criteria:
Extend beyond a 40-working-day notification period (initial life or original locate request and one update)
Involve five or more crews working simultaneously
Require multiple locate requests within the same geographic area
Meet a combination of these criteria
Rather than solely relying on the standard locate request process alone, these qualifying projects will begin with a pre-excavation planning meeting involving the excavator, facility owners, and locators. Together, the parties will establish project timelines, coordinate utility marking schedules, and develop a working agreement that helps ensure everyone has the resources necessary to keep the project moving. From this agreement, normal locate requests will be placed with Alabama 811 based on the timeline established in the pre-excavation planning meeting.
For excavators managing large infrastructure projects, this proactive planning should reduce delays, improve communication, and provide greater predictability throughout construction.
Additional Changes Excavators and Facility Owners Should Know
SB 205 also includes several practical updates that affect day-to-day operations in the field:
Clarifies utility markings. The law now makes clear that the “approximate location” of an underground facility does not indicate its depth. Excavators should continue exercising caution whenever excavating near marked utilities.
Expands the definition of excavation. Excavation now expressly includes hand digging and dredging. Damage caused by hand tools has become a significant issue nationwide, ranking second as the source of damage to underground facilities, making this clarification an important safety improvement.
Allows work to begin sooner in certain situations. If all affected utility owners have responded through the positive response system and indicated their facilities are marked or clear, excavators may begin work before the full notice period expires.
Creates a process for unmarked facilities. If an excavator discovers evidence of an unmarked underground facility after receiving completed responses, the excavator must submit a second notice to Alabama 811. Work may continue while exercising reasonable care to avoid the observed facility.
What This Means for Underground Damage Prevention in Alabama
While SB 205 introduces new requirements for qualifying large projects, its overall goal is straightforward: improve coordination before excavation begins and reduce costly utility damages. The new law reflects a practical, collaborative approach to an increasingly busy construction environment. By improving communication between excavators, locators, and utility owners, Alabama is positioning itself to better manage the significant infrastructure investment occurring across the state while keeping projects on schedule and protecting underground facilities.
As implementation approaches, Alabama 811 encourages AGC members to review the new requirements, educate project managers and field personnel, and work closely with Alabama 811 to ensure a smooth transition. For additional information about SB 205 and Alabama’s damage prevention requirements, visit Alabama 811 (al811.com/law).