Sen. Lazzara files bill in North Carolina Senate to update underground utility safety laws

A new bill filed by Sen. Lazzara seeks to update definitions, responsibilities and enforcement related to underground utility operations in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 328 on March 18 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Underground Safety Revisions.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill revises North Carolina’s Underground Utility Safety and Damage Prevention Act, updating definitions, responsibilities, exemptions, enforcement, and penalties related to underground utility operations. It introduces terms such as “positive response” and “soft dig technologies” and details the tolerance zone around facilities for safe excavation. Facility operators must provide location information within specific timeframes, and special conditions apply to emergencies and subaqueous facilities. Excavators must notify the Notification Center before work and comply with safety measures. The bill updates exemptions for private and agricultural activities and establishes venue requirements for claims. It also expands the Underground Damage Prevention Review Board to handle violations, set penalties, and report non-compliance to the Utilities Commission. The act becomes effective Oct. 1, 2025.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Lazzara proposed the most bills (20) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Lazzara, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2021 to represent the state’s 6th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Harry Brown.