North Carolina Rep. Zenger’s underground utility safety amendments bill passes House and Senate

Passed bill sponsored by State Rep. Jeff Zenger seeks to clarify responsibilities and procedures for utility operators and excavators while establishing a review board to oversee compliance and penalties, according to the North Carolina State House.

In the House, 46 Democrats and 65 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 17 Democrats and 29 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Zenger filed the bill in the North Carolina House on Feb. 27 during the 2025 regular session.

The legislation, known as HB 247, was passed on June 17 during the 2025 regular session.

According to the North Carolina General Assembly site, the bill’s official text was formally listed with the short title: “Underground Safety Revisions.”

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill proposes amendments to the Underground Utility Safety and Damage Prevention Act, focusing on clarifying responsibilities and procedures for facility operators and excavators. Key changes include revised timelines for operators to provide location information within three to 10 working days, depending on the circumstance, and the extension of notice validity from 15 to 28 calendar days for excavators. The bill also outlines specific exemptions to notification requirements, such as certain activities conducted by residential property owners and governmental entities. It establishes the Underground Damage Prevention Review Board, outlining its composition, functions, and authority to impose penalties up to $2,500 for violations. The bill allows for appeals and arbitration proceedings and mandates annual compliance reporting to the Board. This act is effective Sept. 1, 2025.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Mitchell S. Setzer (Republican-89th District), Rep. Sam Watford (Republican-80th District), and Rep. Jeff Zenger (Republican-74th District).

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Zenger, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 74th House district, replacing previous state representative Wes Schollander.

Under North Carolina law, bills must receive three readings in each chamber. According to the UNC School of Government, once a bill “passes its constitutionally required second reading and moves to its constitutionally required third reading,” additional debate can occur, but the final stage is often treated as a formality. Unless a legislator requests a roll-call, the third reading may be approved by voice vote or unanimous consent without a separate recorded tally.