West Virginia2026Enacted

HB4464

West Virginia Law on Preventing Damage to Underground Facilities

Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 11:08 AM

In one sentence

This law creates a new board and sets rules to prevent damage to underground pipes, wires, and cables during digging or demolition work.

Creates the Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Board to enforce safety laws for buried lines.
Defines what counts as damage, excavation, demolition, emergencies, and equipment operators involving underground systems.
Requires excavators to use a one-call system before starting work that moves earth or uses explosives.
Allows the board to investigate accidents, charge penalties, require training, and place liens on property for unpaid fines.
Funds the board using collected civil penalties instead of money from the state budget.

People or companies planning to dig, drill, or demolish structures (excavators).
Companies that own and operate underground pipes, wires, and cables (operators).
The Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Board members appointed by the Governor.
The Public Service Commission of West Virginia.

The law does not cover routine road maintenance that stays within the paved surface and is less than 12 inches deep.
Agricultural soil tilling, domestic gardening, mining operations, and coal mine activities are excluded from these rules.
Demolition defined in this law excludes earth-disturbing activities authorized under specific state code sections regarding mines.

Plain language

Excavation: Any work that moves, removes, or displaces earth using tools, equipment, or explosives. This includes digging and drilling but does not include mining operations, tilling soil for farming, domestic gardening, or routine road maintenance under 12 inches deep.
Underground Facility: Buried pipelines for gas, oil, or hazardous liquids; water mains; sewers; steam lines; electrical power lines; and communication cables. It does not include coal mine operations.
One-call system: A phone service where diggers report their plans so utility companies can mark the location of buried lines before work starts.

Official record

Validated

Relating generally to Underground Facilities Damage prevention

Official activity