Unlike many other states, Texas has multiple agencies with the regulatory authority to issue and enforce laws and codes related to excavation and damage prevention. As you can imagine, this can create confusion for all parties involved. That’s why I’d like to help clarify this multi-layered regulatory approach.
Chapter 251 – The Texas One Call Law
At the foundation is Texas state law, commonly referred to as Chapter 251. This law can be enforced by a county attorney, district attorney, or the One Call Board of Texas. While Chapter 251 provides definitions, penalties, and outlines the general duties and requirements for excavators and facility operators, it’s also notably vague in certain
areas. For example:
• It does not limit the scope of work
• It does not specify whether a locate
request expires
• It only identifies three ticket types:
Normal, Emergency, and Damage
(Digup)
From the viewpoint of a casual excavator, this simplicity might seem like a benefit. However, the lack of detail can also lead to confusion and inconsistency, particularly for experienced stakeholders used to
more specific regulations in other states. The Role of the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) and the TAC Texas has a long-standing relationship with the oil and gas industry. To help regulate this critical sector, the state granted oversight authority to the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC). In 1977, this led to the establishment of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), specifically Title 16, Chapter 18. This section of the TAC addresses excavation near underground pipelines and includes:
• More precise definitions
• Time limitations for the validity of a
locate request
• Update intervals for ongoing excavation
• Detailed documentation and
reporting requirements throughout the excavation lifecycle It’s critical to remember that these
administrative rules are mandatory for both underground pipeline operators and anyone excavating near pipelines.
So, Which Set of Regulations Applies?
“Which set of regulations do I need to follow as an excavator?”
At Texas811, our focus is always on public safety and damage prevention. Because of this, we strongly encourage excavators and operators to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. We understand how hard our excavation community works every day, and we never want to see anyone injured or any infrastructure damaged.
As a member-driven organization, we’re equally committed to supporting our facility operators by helping protect their assets and maintaining reliable service. At the end of the day, damage prevention is a shared responsibility—and the more informed we all are, the better we can protect people, property, and essential services.