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HB 1169 · 2026 · House · Science, Technology and Energy Committee

Shorter utility dig notice period

AI-generated

relative to notification waiting periods to the underground utility damage prevention laws.

Shortens the minimum excavation notice period under underground utility damage prevention law from 72 to 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, and extends the validity of excavation notifications from 30 days to one year when site conditions remain unchanged.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill shortens the minimum excavation notice period from 72 to 48 hours, excluding weekends and 6 holidays, and extends the validity of excavation notifications from 30 days to one year if site conditions remain unchanged.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“At least [72] 48 hours before a proposed excavation, but not including Saturdays, Sundays, [and legal holidays] or Christmas, New Years Day, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, July 4th, known as Independence Day, and Labor Day, each person required to give notice of an excavation shall notify the damage prevention system referred to in RSA 374:49.”
Section 1
“The excavator's notification shall be valid for [30 calendar days] one year from the date and time of confirmation of notification by the underground facility damage prevention system as long as no utility alterations have been made at the excavation location during the one-year period.”
Section 2
“Such notice shall occur no more than 30 days before the proposed excavation is to be made.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Brian LabrieRPrimeClerk· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
  • Rep. Brian ColeRVice Chair· Housing
  • Rep. Mike DragoRMajority Whip
  • Rep. Mike OuelletRVice Chair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. John PotucekRVice Chair· Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Also: Rep. Jonathan MortonR

Public testimony

14 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

7% support93% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Centerline Utility Services provides underground locating services for several utilities in ME, NH, VT, MA, and RI. These proposed changes would be counter to the best practices outlined by the Common Ground Alliance and would lead to an increase in underground damages.…”
— Mathias Florenz, Parsonsfield · Centerline Utility Servicesopposes
“I am writing to formally express my strong opposition to the proposed change reducing the Dig Safe response time from 72 hours to 48 hours. I have worked as a utility locator for over 15 years and have direct experience locating utilities in Vermont.…”
— Eric Fletcher, Nashuaopposes
“I respectfully submit this testimony in opposition to HB 1169. HB 1169 proposes multiple changes to New Hampshire’s excavation notification requirements, including reducing the advance notice period, extending the validity of excavation tickets to one year, and modifying observed holidays.…”
— Brandon Jones, Northwoodopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 20, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate14–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy1:59:42–2:05:235m 41slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 1 P. 9
  2. Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 10:30 am GP 229
  3. Jan 20, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/20/2026 10:30 am GP 229
  4. Jan 20, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/20/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 5 P. 16
  5. Feb 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 19

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.