SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 710

Underground Utility and Excavation Contractors
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SPONSOR
Yarborough
FILED BY
Clay Yarborough — District 4, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026

Filed under Occupational.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Underground Utility and Excavation Contractors; Revising the definition of the term “underground utility and excavation contractor”; authorizing an underground utility and excavation contractor to take certain actions relating to underground piping for fire protection systems; defining the term “underground utility and excavation contractor”, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Lets underground utility contractors install fire-protection piping outside buildings.

Underground utility and excavation contractors were flatly barred from installing any piping that is part of a fire protection system. That ban is now narrowed to let them install such piping outside a building.

The new authority stops at a point within 5 feet of the building, ending at a valve. Contractors still cannot install, alter, repair, or service any part of that piping once it runs inside the building.

A matching definition is added to the state Fire Prevention Code: 'underground utility and excavation contractor' now means anyone holding a current, valid license under the construction contracting statute's definition of that trade.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Lifts the ban on fire-protection piping installation majors. 489.105

AIUnderground utility and excavation contractors, previously barred outright, may now install piping that is part of a fire protection system, capped at a point within 5 feet of the building.

“may install piping that is an integral part of a fire protection system as defined in s. 633.102 only up to a”
§ 2 Keeps installation inside the building off-limits majors. 633.102

AIThe new authority ends at a valve near the building; an underground utility and excavation contractor still may not install, alter, repair, or service that piping once it runs inside the building.

“may fabricate, install, alter, repair, and service the underground piping for a fire protection system using water as the extinguishing agent” bill text, line 165 →
§ 3 Defines the contractor term in the Fire Prevention Code moderates. 633.102

AIThe Fire Prevention Code now defines 'underground utility and excavation contractor' by cross-reference to the license described in the construction-contracting statute, rather than setting its own independent standard.

“means an individual who holds a current and valid license as described under s. 489.105(3)(n)” bill text, line 172 →
TIMELINE
1/9/2026
Withdrawn prior to introduction
1/9/2026
Withdrawn from Regulated Industries; Community Affairs; Rules
12/16/2025
Referred to Regulated Industries; Community Affairs; Rules
12/3/2025
Filed
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 489.105
+30 / −13
s. 633.102
+80 / −0
s. 489.105
+0 / −0
s. 489.105
+0 / −0
s. 489.105
+0 / −0
s. 489.105
+0 / −0