76-2329.

Emergency conditions; bar test survey; notification requirements; liability.

(1) Sections 76-2321 and 76-2323 shall not apply to an excavation made under an emergency condition if all reasonable precautions are taken to protect the underground facilities. If an emergency condition exists, the excavator shall give notification in substantial compliance with section 76-2321 as soon as practical. Upon being notified that an emergency condition exists, each operator shall provide all reasonably available location information to the excavator as soon as possible. If the emergency condition has arisen through no fault of the excavator, sections 76-2324 and 76-2325 shall not apply and the excavator shall be liable for damage to any underground facility located in the area if the damage occurs because of the negligent acts or omissions of the excavator.

(2) Sections 76-2321 and 76-2323 shall not apply to a bar test survey deemed necessary to address an emergency condition performed by the operator of the gas or hazardous liquid underground pipeline facility or a qualified excavator who has been engaged to work on behalf of the operator in response to a reported or suspected leak of natural gas, propane, or other combustible liquid or gas. If the emergency condition has arisen through no fault of the excavating operator, section 76-2325 shall not apply.

(3) Sections 76-2321 and 76-2323 shall not apply to an excavation deemed necessary to address an emergency condition performed by the operator of the gas or hazardous liquid underground pipeline facility or a qualified excavator who has been engaged to work on behalf of the operator to address a leak of natural gas, propane, or other combustible liquid or gas. In such event, the operator shall give notification in substantial compliance with section 76-2321 prior to the excavation undertaken by the operator to address the emergency condition. Upon being notified that an emergency condition exists, each operator shall provide all reasonably available location information to the excavating operator as soon as possible, but the excavating operator need not wait for such location information prior to excavation or continuing excavation. If the emergency condition has arisen through no fault of the excavating operator, section 76-2325 shall not apply.