65-31-107 - Operator associations for mutual receipt of notifications.

65-31-107. Operator associations for mutual receipt of notifications.

(a)  Operators may form and operate a one-call service providing for mutual receipt of notifications of excavation or demolition operations, pursuant to § 65-31-106, in a defined geographical area. Any operator that suffers damage as a result of not participating in a one-call service providing for receipt of the notification of excavation or demolition operations in a defined geographic area, pursuant to § 65-31-106, waives the right to recover damages to the operator's underground utilities from the excavator; provided, that the provisions of this chapter were met by the excavator.

(b)  (1)  Natural gas distribution systems are required to belong to a one-call service formed in a geographical area in which such gas distribution systems operate.

     (2)  Only one (1) one-call service shall be formed and operated within a defined geographical area.

[Acts 1978, ch. 692, § 7; T.C.A., § 65-3207; Acts 1993, ch. 223, § 13; 1996, ch. 855, §§ 1-3; 1999, ch. 73, § 3; 2006, ch. 686, § 6.]