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HB 3791

Relating to the time frame required for excavation notification.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Paul Dyson

HB 3791 adjusts Texas excavation notification timeframes to utilities before digging, balancing construction efficiency against worker safety and utility damage prevention.

Left pending in committee
#utilities--general(i0830)
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Bill Summary · HB 3791

Legislative bill overview

HB 3791 modifies Texas law governing the timeframe that excavation contractors must wait after notifying utility locating services before beginning digging operations. The bill adjusts notification procedures designed to prevent damage to underground utilities like gas, electric, and water lines.

Why is this important

Excavation-related utility strikes cause injuries, deaths, service outages, and costly repairs each year. The notification timeframe directly affects both worker safety and the feasibility of construction projects—shorter windows accelerate timelines but may reduce utility location accuracy, while longer windows improve safety but increase project delays and costs.

Potential points of contention

  • Competing timelines: Contractors seeking faster project completion versus utility companies needing adequate time for accurate locating
  • Safety vs. efficiency trade-off: Reducing notification periods could increase utility strike incidents and infrastructure damage
  • Equity concerns: Impact on smaller contractors with fewer resources versus large companies with established utility coordination procedures
  • Implementation burden: Whether different utility types (public vs. private) would have different requirements under the new framework

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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