HB1735

House Bill 1735 amends the Arkansas Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act to update regulations regarding membership in the One Call Center. The bill reinforces the requirement that all operators of underground facilities must be members of the One Call Center to prevent damage to infrastructure. It grants the Arkansas Public Service Commission the authority to issue exemptions or waivers for these membership requirements, provided they are reasonable and comply with state and federal laws. Additionally, the bill establishes a penalty structure for non-compliance, including an initial $1,000 fine for operators who fail to register within 30 days of receiving a written warning. It further imposes a recurring $500 fine for every subsequent 30-day period of non-compliance. The bill also allows entities that own or control underground facilities to join the One Call Center voluntarily.