The Ohio House of Representatives has passed Concurrence House Bill 227, which is set to enhance safety standards for excavation and will also restore the state's eligibility for federal pipeline safety grant funding.

Through the bill, several updates will be made to safety standards for regulated excavation activities in Ohio including streamlining coordination between excavators and utility operators, while ensuring the state continues to meet all federal standards.

State Representatives Monica Robb Blasdel (R-New Waterford) and Mark Johnson (R-Chillicothe) said in a Wednesday statement that the newly passed legislation will modernize Ohio's excavation standards.

"By updating our laws, we're providing operators with clearer timelines to work safely and restoring Ohio's access to federal funding that supports damage prevention and infrastructure protection," Robb Blasdel said.

Under the bill, utility operators will have "two full working days, excluding the day of the call, to respond to excavation notices an mark underground utilities." It also extends excavation timeframes from 10 working days to 16 calendar days, which the state representatives say will provide more flexibility in project planning.

Lastly, the legislation will adjust the definition of excavation by replacing "outdated blanket exemptions" with "specific shallow-depth activities up to twelve inches" while also removing any obsolete terms.

House Bill 227 will now head to Governor DeWine's desk to be signed.