BILL NUMBER: ACR 115	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Emmerson

                        FEBRUARY 4, 2010

   Relative to California Safe Digging Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 115, as introduced, Emmerson. California Safe Digging Month.
   This measure would proclaim the month of April 2010 as California
Safe Digging Month.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, Through education about safe digging practices,
excavators and homeowners can save time and money and keep our nation
safe and connected by making a simple call to a three digit
telephone number, 811, in advance of any digging project; and
   WHEREAS, Calling 811 to be connected to a One Call Center prior to
digging, respecting the marked lines that demarcate underground
utilities by maintaining visual definition throughout the course of
the excavation, and digging with care around the marked lines will
help keep Californians safe and prevent damage and destruction; and
   WHEREAS, California continues to grow along with the important
underground utility infrastructure that the state depends upon; and
   WHEREAS, The 811 "Call Before You Dig" program is a vital public
education and awareness program dealing with the safety of subsurface
excavation; and
   WHEREAS, Every year California's underground utility
infrastructure is jeopardized by unintentional damage caused by those
who fail to call 811 to have underground utility lines located and
marked prior to digging; and
   WHEREAS, Undesired consequences, such as service interruption,
damage to the environment, personal injury, and even death, are the
potential results of failing to call 811 prior to digging and having
the utility lines safely marked; and
   WHEREAS, In California, there are two One Call Centers to call and
request the marking of utility line locations prior to digging: the
Underground Service Alert of Southern California (USA/SC) and the
Underground Service Alert of Northern California and Nevada (USA
North); and
   WHEREAS, In cooperation with its membership, California's public
and private utilities, USA/SC, and USA North provide a free and
effective damage prevention service that protects California's
citizens, communities, public services, environment, and underground
facilities; and
   WHEREAS, The services provided by the One Call Centers are at no
cost to the caller; and
   WHEREAS, Both California One Call Centers are associated with the
California Regional Common Ground Alliance, which is both a regional
partner of the Common Ground Alliance and a member-driven association
dedicated to ensuring public safety, environmental protection, and
the integrity of services by promoting effective damage prevention
practices; and
   WHEREAS, The free notification service provided by USA/SC and USA
North has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of accidents
causing personal injury and the interruption of vital services; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims the month of April
2010 as California Safe Digging Month; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.