Establishes standards for newly installed underground facilities related to locatability and mapping; defines terms; requires the public service commission to establish implementation schedules for locatability and as-built location information.
Impact
The ramifications of S10178 are substantial for state laws governing underground construction and utility management. By enforcing strict locatability standards, the bill aims to reduce accidents when excavators interact with underground infrastructures like pipelines and cables. This proposed legislation seeks to standardize procedures across the state, which is anticipated to streamline operations for excavators and enhance public safety. Should it become law, excavators will be mandated to follow updated protocols during their operations and ensure they are trained adequately to adhere to these regulations.
Summary
Bill S10178 proposes significant amendments to both the general business law and public service law related to underground facilities. It emphasizes the establishment of mandatory standards for newly installed underground facilities, particularly focusing on their locatability and the creation of as-built location information. This law aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of excavation activities, ensuring that facilities can be accurately located to prevent accidental damage during excavation. The bill stipulates requirements for training and certification of excavators, therefore enhancing workforce competence in managing underground facilities responsibly.
Contention
While supporters of the bill advocate for enhanced safety measures and reduced risks associated with underground excavations, there may be points of contention regarding the costs imposed on excavation companies to comply with the new training and certification requirements. Critics argue that while the end goal is safety, small businesses might find it challenging to absorb the costs related to compliance. Additionally, the enforcement mechanisms and the public service commission's role in establishing and regulating these new standards may raise questions about accountability and regulatory burden.
Relates to protection of underground facilities, mandatory standards for newly installed underground facilities, excavator training and certification, and damage reporting
Relates to establishing minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customers; requires the public service commission to set standards for payment plans for certain customers including reasonableness of agreements and timelines for payment; establishes eligibility.
Relates to establishing minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customers; requires the public service commission to set standards for payment plans for certain customers including reasonableness of agreements and timelines for payment; establishes eligibility.
Establishes a task force focused on preventive care in the event federal standards are changed or revoked; establishes the terms, pay and makeup of such taskforce.
Establishes portable polling locations for early voting; provides that a county board of elections may establish one or more portable polling locations.
Establishes the "secure our data act"; relates to cybersecurity protection by state entities; requires the office of information technology services to develop standards for data protection of state entity-maintained information.
Establishes certain caffeine safety warnings for covered establishments for items with high caffeine; establishes caffeine labeling requirements for food and dietary supplements containing certain amounts of caffeine per serving.
Establishes the human services wage commission for the purpose of investigating whether the wages paid to human services workers are sufficient to provide adequate maintenance and to protect the health and welfare of employees; defines terms; provides for the duties of the commission; requires reporting.