(a) There is created an underground damage prevention fund within the Tennessee public utility commission. All civil penalties collected pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited into the underground damage prevention fund. Any moneys remaining in the underground damage prevention fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund, but shall remain in the underground damage prevention fund for the exclusive use of the board.(b) The expenditure of moneys in the underground damage prevention fund shall be at the discretion of the board for the following purposes:
(1) Providing grants to operators with fewer than five thousand (5,000) customers to assist the recipient in complying with the mandatory notification center requirements of this chapter. However, grants shall not be used for operating expenses; and(2) Providing public awareness, educational programs or materials, and compliance training in a manner and by vendors determined and selected by the board.
