SB 911, Underground Facilities – Damage Prevention, was voted favorable in the Senate Finance Committee with numerous amendments.  As introduced, MACo opposed the bill because it removed local marking fee authority, imposed new mandates by requiring the marking of storm drains, and empowered a new unaccountable entity,  the Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Authority (Authority) with broad powers.

The amended bill maintains local marking fee authority, removes all references to the marking of storm drains, and ensures that local governments will not be charged or assessed a fee either directly or indirectly, for the operations of the newly established Authority.