TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS UNDERGROUND FACILITIES DAMAGE PREVENTION ACT.

SB 401 amends Arkansas' Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act by creating exceptions to the standard "one call" notification requirement before excavation. It directly affects excavators, including farmers, cemetery operators, and maintenance crews, by exempting specific activities from calling the One Call Center. Key provisions allow agricultural work (like postholes or farm ponds), use of specialized equipment (e.g., water/air vacuums), cemetery grave openings, and shallow hand-tool work (under 12 inches deep) without prior notification. The bill focuses on streamlining routine operations while maintaining safety for underground utilities.