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SB574

To Amend The Law Regarding Plumbing; And To Require Water Line Tracing With The Installation Of New Water Lines.

Introduced

Last Action (April 3, 2023): Sine Die adjournment

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

Senate Bill 574 amends Arkansas code regarding plumbing regulations by establishing a new requirement for the installation of water lines. Specifically, the bill mandates that any new water line installed after the effective date of the act must be detectable through electronic location methods. This measure is intended to improve the ability to track and identify underground water infrastructure. The bill adds this requirement as a new section to the existing plumbing statutes under Title 17, Chapter 38 of the Arkansas Code.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries include utility companies, city public works departments, and excavation contractors. By requiring water lines to be electronically traceable, these entities can more easily and accurately locate underground infrastructure, which helps prevent accidental damage during construction or maintenance projects, improves repair efficiency, and increases public safety.

Who Might Suffer?

The primary groups negatively impacted are plumbing contractors, property developers, and homeowners. These parties would bear the additional costs and labor associated with purchasing and installing specific materials required for electronic tracing, as well as the potential compliance costs related to meeting these new regulatory standards for new water line installations.

Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us