Arizona SB 1137 Signed Into Law: AGC Members Deliver the Most Significant 811 Reform in Two Decades

Arizona SB 1137 Signed Into Law: AGC Members Deliver the Most Significant 811 Reform in Two Decades

On June 19th, 2026, Governor Katie Hobbs signed Senate Bill 1137, the most significant modernization of Arizona's 811 "Call Before You Dig" law in more than two decades.

For the Arizona Chapter of the Associated General Contractors, this legislation represents far more than a policy victory. It is a powerful example of what can happen when contractors identify a problem, engage in the public policy process, and work together to create meaningful change.

How Arizona's 811 Modernization Effort Began

Two years ago, members of AZAGC's Utility Infrastructure Committee began discussing concerns and frustrations with Arizona's 811 system.

Arizona's 811 statute had not been meaningfully updated despite rapid population growth, record infrastructure investment, and increasing excavation activity throughout the state.

Contractors performing underground work were experiencing increasing challenges:

• Inconsistent utility markings
• Communication breakdowns
• Project delays
• Difficulty coordinating large and complex infrastructure projects
• Limited accountability when locate requests were delayed or incomplete

Rather than simply accepting those challenges, AZAGC members decided to do something about them.

What followed was a multi-year effort involving committee meetings, stakeholder discussions, legislative negotiations, industry outreach, and countless hours of work by AZAGC members and staff.

Today, that effort has resulted in changes to Arizona law.

A Contractor-Driven Success Story

Senate Bill 1137 is one of the clearest examples of how AZAGC members can directly influence public policy to improve Arizona's construction industry.

The legislation was developed through an extensive stakeholder process involving contractors, utility owners, locators, municipalities, Arizona 811 leadership, safety professionals, and government representatives.

Throughout that process, AZAGC members remained actively engaged in identifying solutions, evaluating proposals, negotiating improvements, and ensuring the final legislation reflected the realities of how underground construction is actually performed.

What Senate Bill 1137 Changes

SB 1137 introduces three major modernization reforms designed to improve communication, coordination, accountability, and efficiency within Arizona's underground utility locating system.

Large Project Coordination

The legislation establishes a formal coordination process for large infrastructure projects. Instead of treating major, long-duration projects the same as small excavations, contractors, utility operators, and local jurisdictions will have a structured process to coordinate work before excavation begins.

This will help improve scheduling, reduce repeated locate requests, and create greater predictability for complex projects.

Interactive Positive Response System

One of the most important reforms creates a two-way digital communication platform through Arizona 811. The new system will document locate responses, updates, delays, and project communications in a single accountable platform.

For contractors, this means better visibility, better communication, and greater accountability throughout the locate process.

Mandatory White Lining

The legislation also requires white lining, ensuring excavation areas are clearly identified before locate requests are submitted. This improves marking accuracy, reduces unnecessary markings, and enhances jobsite safety for everyone involved.

Why This Matters for Arizona Contractors

For years, contractors have expressed frustration with a system that often-lacked consistency, responsiveness, and accountability.

SB 1137 directly addresses many of those concerns.

Once implemented over the next year, these reforms should create a system that is:

• More predictable
• More responsive
• More accountable
• More communicative
• Better aligned with national best practices

Most importantly, it should help contractors do what they do best: build Arizona safely and efficiently.

By reducing miscommunication, improving coordination, and creating clearer expectations for all parties involved, the legislation should reduce delays and improve project delivery across the state.

The Work Is Not Finished

While SB 1137 represents a historic achievement, it is not the end of the conversation.

Implementation will occur over the next year, and AZAGC will continue working with Arizona 811, utilities, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure these reforms deliver the improvements the industry expects.

Like any modernization effort, success will depend on continued collaboration and ongoing evaluation.

Thank You to the Members Who Made This Happen

This legislation would not exist without the commitment and leadership of AZAGC members.

Special thanks go to:

• Members of the AZAGC Utility Infrastructure Committee and the Arizona Construction Safety Council
• Michelle Walker of SCC Underground
• Arizona 811 leadership
• The many contractors, utilities, locators, and stakeholders who participated in the process

Their willingness to identify a problem, invest time in developing solutions, and stay engaged through the legislative process is what ultimately brought SB 1137 across the finish line.

A Better 811 System Means a Better Arizona

At its core, Senate Bill 1137 is about making Arizona's underground utility damage prevention system work better.

Better communication.

Better coordination.

Better accountability.

Better safety.

And ultimately, a stronger infrastructure environment for the contractors, workers, utilities, and communities that depend on it.

This is exactly why AGC exists: bringing industry leaders together to solve problems, improve public policy, reduce risk, and create opportunities that benefit the entire construction industry.

SB 1137 is proof that when contractors engage, meaningful change happens.