Information current as of: 11/27/24
The Minnesota State Statute 216D One Call Law has been updated as of August 1, 2024. Gopher State One Call has put together the following quick reference guide with the vital information you need to know. Keep reading to find out the five W’s of the 2024 MN one call law changes.
The 2025 811 5K Run/Walk resulted in another successful safe digging awareness event! More than 100 participants came together in Minneapolis to celebrate 811 Day on August 9, 2025, at Bde Maka Ska’s Thomas Beach to spread awareness of underground utility safety with a family friendly 5K, damage prevention-focused vendor fair, and popular Kids’ Race.
The annual 811 5K celebrates “811 Day,” a day typically observed on or near August 11 (8/11) and calls attention to “8-1-1”—the national phone number used to submit free locate requests prior to digging. Whether digging in the backyard or excavating at job site, Minnesotans are required by law to contact Gopher State One Call (GSOC) either by phone or by going to GopherStateOneCall.org before breaking ground.
Click here to learn more about the ticket submission process.
The 2025 811 Day 5K was hosted by companies committed to underground utility safety and brought together damage prevention professionals—along with their families, neighbors, and our four-legged friends—for this community-focused event. Both participants and passers-by explored a variety of utility-focused sponsor booths, providing a great opportunity to ask questions about safe digging and collect fun giveaways.
Immediately following the main race, children 10 and under were invited to join the highly anticipated Kids’ Race, which is a free, short-distance sprint celebrated with lots of cheering and participant medals.
The 811 Day 5K was fun and educational and it raised money for a great cause. All of the proceeds of the event—including the $18.11 registration fee—went to Twin Cities Firefighters Operation Warm, an organization that provides children in need with new, warm winter coats.
Thank you to all of the fellow sponsors that made the 2025 811 Day 5K a great success: American Public Works Association, Asplundh, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, BP, CenterPoint Energy, Dakota Electric Association, Enbridge, Greater Minnesota Gas, Minnesota Blue Flame Gas Association, MP Technologies, MUCC, Northern Natural Gas, One Call Concepts, PUCC, USIC, Vannguard Utility Partners, and Xcel Energy. The 2025 811 5K Run/Walk resulted in another successful safe digging awareness event!
Recent changes have been made to the upcoming Safety-Qualified Underground Telecommunications Installation rules.
Starting in 2026, Minnesota state law (Minnesota Statutes 326B.198) will require that certain tasks related to the installation of underground telecommunications infrastructure be performed by Safety-Qualified Underground Telecommunications Installers. To qualify, an underground installer must complete and maintain required certifications by taking an approved 40-hour course that involves both classroom and hands-on training. Standards for these courses will be approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), in consultation with the Office of Broadband Development.
Each spring, damage prevention meetings are held by and for the excavation community all around the Minnesota. Focused on safe digging and best practice education, these meetings typically include presentations from Gopher State One Call and the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety, as well as guest speakers from other MN damage prevention stakeholders.
In 2025, damage prevention meetings were held in: New York Mills, Austin, Rochester, Owatonna, Andover, Worthington, Lakeville, Vadnais Heights, Hutchinson, New Ulm, Mankato, Brooklyn Park, Marshall, Brainerd, Shakopee, St. Cloud, Alexandria, Spicer, Pine City, Duluth/Carlton, Park Rapids, Thief River Falls, Grand Rapids, Warroad, International Falls, Cass Lake/Bemidji, and Chisholm.
One of the primary topics of this year’s meetings was the Minnesota State Statute 216D One Call Law changes that went into effect on August 1, 2024. These law changes include changes to the waiting period and start times, clarification on job activities prior to ticket expiration, and meet requirements for large projects, in addition to other updates. Click here to learn more about the 2024 changes to MN State Statute 216D.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
How to register in 2026:
We hope to see you at a meeting next spring!
The 2024 Gopher State One Call (GSOC) Annual Report is now available. This year’s report covers a breakdown of the year’s incoming ticket volume by month, ticket type, and submission type; media campaigns; and a letter from Chief Operations Officer Kelly Connolly. There’s also information on what’s in store for 2025 with new MNOPS reporting data available and My Ticket Analytics.
