18 Jun DPAct Applauds Louisiana Governor Landry on SB469 Signing to Prevent Infrastructure Damage
Louisiana Legislature adopts CGA Best Practices to strengthen underground damage prevention
Baton Rouge, La. – On June 9, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed Senate Bill 469, a significant step forward in reducing the risk of damage to the state’s buried utility lines and strengthening protections for Louisiana communities, workers and critical underground infrastructure. The legislation will go into effect on Aug. 1, 2026.
In May, the Damage Prevention Action Center (DPAct) sent a letter to Louisiana Senate leaders encouraging passage of SB 469. DPAct is a national non-profit, non-partisan organization that advocates for protecting America’s underground infrastructure. The letter may be read here.
The bill advances Common Ground Alliance (CGA) Best Practices by improving positive response requirements, strengthening enforcement and reducing exemptions from Louisiana’s 811 notification system. CGA is the national trade association that publishes the underground infrastructure industry’s Best Practices for preventing damage to utility lines as well as the annual DIRT Report documenting damages in the U.S.
DPAct Executive Director Sarah K. Magruder Lyle applauded Governor Landry and state lawmakers for passing and enacting a bill that will help prevent unnecessary damage and disruption.
According to CGA’s data, Louisiana suffers nearly 5,000 incidents of damage to buried utilities each year — more than 13 times each day, on average. Examples include repeated water line damages from fiber installation work in Beauregard Parish. According to CGA’s industry data, utility line locating issues are one of the top three contributors to underground damages, along with not contacting 811 call centers and excavation issues.
SB 469 further strengthens Louisiana’s damage prevention laws. The new law requires utility owners and operators to provide positive response through the 811 notification center before the marking deadline expires, authorizes law enforcement to order the cessation of excavation when a violation is believed to be occurring, and narrows municipal opt-out eligibility for 811 participation.
On the bill’s signing, Sarah K. Magruder Lyle offered the following statement:
“Louisiana has taken an important step today to help reduce preventable damage to buried utilities and improve safety for everyone who lives and works around these assets in the state. By aligning Louisiana’s law more closely with CGA Best Practices, SB469 strengthens accountability, improves communication between stakeholders and helps ensure excavators have the timely information they need before breaking ground. We applaud Governor Landry for signing SB469 into law, and we thank Senator Abraham for his leadership in advancing this important legislation.”
About DPAct: The Damage Prevention Action Center advocates for public policies and industry practices that protect our Nation’s critical underground utility infrastructure and those who work and live near these important assets. DPAct focuses on educating policymakers at the federal, state and local levels on the importance of updating and enacting laws and regulations to meet the needs of today by implementing effective damage prevention policies, as well as understanding the significant economic, environmental, safety and social impacts of dig-ins on communities.