What does Preamble of Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026 do?

This bill aims to amend title 49 of the United States Code The amendment is intended to improve the safety of pipeline transportation The bill has been referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce

What does SHORT TITLE. of Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026

What does DEFINITIONS. of Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 60101(a)(21)(B) of Title 49 of the United States Code. The amendment excludes certain gas gathering and transportation activities from a definition. Gathering gas in a rural area outside a designated nonrural area is excluded, except when done through regulated gathering lines. Moving gas through a piping system to support an onshore production, refining, or manufacturing facility is excluded if the piping system is either an in-plant system or a transfer system less than one mile long.

What does MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS. of Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 60102(b) of Title 49, United States Code. Amendments are made to paragraphs (2), (3)(B), and (5) of the section. Subparagraph (D) of paragraph (2) is modified to include 'safety and economic benefits within the United States'. Subparagraph (E) of paragraph (2) is modified to include 'within the United States' after 'costs'. Paragraph (3)(B) is modified to include 'safety and economic benefits within the United States'. Paragraph (5) is modified by inserting 'explicitly' before 'required'. Paragraph (5) is modified by inserting ', economic,' after 'safety'. Paragraph (5) is modified by inserting 'within the United States' after 'environmental benefits'.

What does OPPORTUNITY FOR FORMAL HEARING. of Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 60117(b)(1) of title 49, United States Code, regarding enforcement procedures. It adds a new condition for a formal hearing when the cost of compliance exceeds $125,000 or the proposed civil penalty is $125,000 or more. The Secretary of Transportation must publish protocols for public hearings within 1 year after the enactment of this Act.

What does SPECIAL PERMIT PROGRAM. of Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes a Special Permit Program related to pipeline safety waivers. It amends section 60118(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, to limit the terms imposed on waivers to known pipeline safety risks. The Secretary is required to publish notice of special permit applications in the Federal Register. The Secretary must complete a review of each application within 18 months of publishing the notice. The Secretary of Transportation must submit a report to Congress within two years of the Act's enactment detailing the implementation of the new requirements. This report must include a listing of applications, summaries of their purpose, dates of receipt and completion, and explanations for any decisions made outside the review period. The Comptroller General of the United States will submit a report to Congress assessing the Secretary's implementation and compliance with the new requirements within one year of the Secretary's report.

What does STRENGTHENING PENALTIES FOR PIPELINE SAFETY VIOLATIONS. of Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 60123(b) of title 49, United States Code The amendment strengthens penalties for pipeline safety violations It expands the definition of violations to include damaging, destroying, or impairing pipeline operations

What does AUTHORIZATION LEVELS. of Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026 do?

This section amends section 60125 of title 49, United States Code. It authorizes appropriations from fees collected under section 60301 to the Secretary for pipeline safety activities, specifically referencing section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002, for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. A portion of these appropriations ($9,000,000) is designated for carrying out section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002, and $77,000,000 is for making grants. Additional appropriations are authorized from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for hazardous liquid pipeline safety activities, also for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. From the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, $3,000,000 is designated for section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002, and $13,000,000 is for making grants. Fees collected under section 60302 authorize appropriations for underground natural gas storage facility safety, totaling $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Subsection (b)(2) of section 60125 is amended to extend the authorization period to fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

What does PIPELINE SAFETY VOLUNTARY INFORMATION-SHARING SYSTEM. of Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes a voluntary information-sharing system for pipeline safety data and information. The system is confidential and aims to improve pipeline safety by sharing data and lessons learned across the industry. A governing board will oversee the system, comprising representatives from federal and state governments, industry, and public safety advocacy groups. The board will make decisions by a super-majority and have authority over the system's governance and strategic oversight. Participation in the system is voluntary, and nonpublic information submitted will be kept confidential, except in certain circumstances.

What does EXCAVATION DAMAGE PREVENTION. of Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026 do?

This section amends 49 U.S. Code § 6106 regarding grants to states for one-call notification programs. It establishes a list of 'leading practices' states should adopt, including defining ticket scope, limiting exemptions, specifying tolerance zones, and requiring training programs. These leading practices address areas such as emergency excavation notification, excavator responsibilities, white lining, positive responses, locatable facilities, and marking of lines. The Secretary is required to submit reports to Congress detailing the adoption of these leading practices and recommendations for reducing excavation damage incidents. The reports will also include data on underground facility damages per 1,000 one-call tickets in each state. This section includes a savings clause stating it does not affect a state’s eligibility for grants or requirements related to certifications or agreements. It amends 49 U.S. Code § 60134 to consider factors like enforcement of the state one-call notification program, data reporting requirements, and performance measures when evaluating damage prevention program effectiveness.

Back to bills

Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026

Last updated: 6/24/2026 · Introduced: 6/18/2026

Author: Randy Weber (R-TX)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill excludes certain gas gathering and transportation activities in rural areas from pipeline safety regulations, except for regulated gathering lines and short transfer systems.
It modifies pipeline safety standard considerations to include safety, economic benefits, and environmental benefits within the United States.
The bill establishes a Special Permit Program for pipeline safety waivers, limiting terms to known risks and requiring public notice and review within 18 months.
It increases the maximum civil penalty for pipeline safety violations from $2,000,000 to $3,412,000 and expands the definition of violations to include actions that damage or impair pipeline operations.
The bill authorizes appropriations totaling over $100 million from fees and the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for pipeline safety activities, grants, and underground natural gas storage facility safety through 2031.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 10 more.

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