Pipeline Safety Act of 2019

To amend title 49, United States Code, to reauthorize pipeline safety programs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Pipeline Safety Act of 2019 2. Authorization of appropriations (a) Operational expenses There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for the necessary operational expenses of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration the following amounts: (1) $24,215,000 for fiscal year 2020. (2) $24,941,450 for fiscal year 2021. (b) Gas and hazardous liquid Section 60125(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraphs (A) through (D) and inserting the following: (A) $160,800,000 for fiscal year 2020, of which $10,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $60,000,000 shall be expended for making grants; and (B) $165,624,000 for fiscal year 2021 of which $10,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $61,800,000 shall be expended for making grants. ; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraphs (A) through (D) and inserting the following: (A) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2020, of which $5,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $9,000,000 shall be expended for making grants; and (B) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, of which $5,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $9,000,000 shall be expended for making grants. ; and (3) in paragraph (3), by striking $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2019 $9,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2021 (c) Emergency response grants Section 60125(b)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015 $12,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2021 (d) Pipeline safety information grants to communities Section 60130(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking section 2(b) of the PIPES Act of 2016, the Secretary shall expend $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2019 to carry out this section section 2(a) of the Pipeline Safety Act of 2019 (e) State damage prevention programs Section 60134(i) of title 49, United States Code is amended by striking $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015 $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2021 (f) One-Call notification programs Section 6107 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking $1,058,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2019 $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2021 3. Pipeline safety workforce development (a) Direct hire authority for Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (1) Authority The Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration may appoint qualified candidates to positions described in paragraph (2) without regard to sections 3309 through 3319 of title 5, United States Code. (2) Applicability The authority under paragraph (1) applies with respect to candidates for any position that would likely allow increased activities relating to pipeline safety, as determined by the Administrator. (3) Termination The authority to make appointments under this subsection shall not be available after September 30, 2021. (b) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter through calendar year 2021, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall submit to Congress a report on the efforts of the Administration to hire women, minorities, and veterans as inspectors since January 1, 2012.

Summary: Pipeline Safety Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes appropriations through FY2021 and provides direct hire authority for pipeline safety activities.