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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this section, the Sec-
retary shall issue regulations for conducting tests to 
confirm the material strength of previously untested 
natural gas transmission pipelines located in high- 
consequence areas and operating at a pressure 
greater than 30 percent of specified minimum yield 
strength. 
‘‘(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing the reg-
ulations, the Secretary shall consider safety testing 
methodologies, including, at a minimum— 
‘‘(A) pressure testing; and 
‘‘(B) other alternative methods, including 
in-line inspections, determined by the Secretary 
to be of equal or greater effectiveness. 
‘‘(3) COMPLETION
OF
TESTING.—The Sec-
retary, in consultation with the Chairman of the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and State 
regulators, as appropriate, shall establish timeframes 
for the completion of such testing that take into ac-
count potential consequences to public safety and 
the environment and that minimize costs and service 
disruptions. 
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‘‘(e) HIGH-CONSEQUENCE AREA DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘high-consequence area’ means an area 
described in section 60109(a).’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 601 is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 60138 the following: 
‘‘60139. Maximum allowable operating pressure.’’. 
SEC. 24. LIMITATION ON INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS 
BY REFERENCE. 
Section 60102, as amended by this Act, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(p) LIMITATION
ON INCORPORATION
OF DOCU-
MENTS BY REFERENCE.—Beginning 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary may not 
issue guidance or a regulation pursuant to this chapter 
that incorporates by reference any documents or portions 
thereof unless the documents or portions thereof are made 
available to the public, free of charge, on an Internet Web 
site.’’. 
SEC. 25. PIPELINE SAFETY TRAINING FOR STATE AND 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—To further the objectives of chap-
ter 601 of title 49, United States Code, the Secretary of 
Transportation may provide the services of personnel from 
the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administra-
tion to provide training for State and local government 
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personnel at a pipeline safety training facility that is es-
tablished and operated by an agency or instrumentality 
of the United States, a unit of State or local government, 
or an educational institution. 
(b) REIMBURSEMENTS
FOR TRAINING EXPENDI-
TURES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Secretary may require reim-
bursement from sources other than the Federal Gov-
ernment for all expenses incurred by the Secretary 
in providing training for State and local government 
personnel under subsection (a), including salaries, 
expenses, transportation for Pipeline and Hazardous 
Materials Safety Administration personnel, and the 
cost of training materials. 
(2) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
Amounts collected as reimbursement under para-
graph (1) are authorized to be appropriated for the 
purposes set forth in chapter 601 of title 49, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 26. REPORT ON MINORITY-OWNED, WOMAN-OWNED, 
AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESSES. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States, 
based upon available information, shall submit to the 
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Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
of the House of Representatives a comprehensive report 
assessing the levels and types of participation and methods 
of facilitating the participation of minority-owned business 
enterprises, woman-owned business enterprises, and dis-
advantaged business enterprises in the construction and 
operation of pipeline facilities in the United States. 
SEC. 27. REPORT ON PIPELINE PROJECTS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a comprehensive study regarding the 
process for obtaining Federal and State permits for 
projects to construct pipeline facilities. 
(b) EVALUATION.—In conducting the study, the 
Comptroller General shall evaluate how long it takes to 
issue permits for pipeline construction projects, the rela-
tionship between the States and the Federal Government 
in issuing such permits, and any recommendations from 
the States for improving the permitting process. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study, the 
Comptroller General shall consult with the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives 
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and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on the results of the study. 
SEC. 28. COVER OVER BURIED PIPELINES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 601, as amended by this 
Act, is further amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 60140. Cover over buried pipelines 
‘‘(a) HAZARDOUS LIQUID PIPELINE INCIDENTS IN-
VOLVING BURIED PIPELINES.— 
‘‘(1) STUDY.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall conduct a study of hazardous liquid pipeline in-
cidents at crossings of inland bodies of water with 
a width of at least 100 feet from high water mark 
to high water mark to determine if the depth of 
cover over the buried pipeline was a factor in any ac-
cidental release of hazardous liquids. 
‘‘(2) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall 
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transmit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report on the results of the 
study. 
‘‘(b) ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT REQUIREMENTS FOR 
DEPTH OF COVER OVER BURIED PIPELINES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—If, following completion of 
the study under subsection (a), the Secretary finds 
that the depth of cover over buried pipelines is a 
contributing factor in the accidental release of haz-
ardous liquids from the pipelines, the Secretary, not 
later than 1 year after the date of completion of the 
study, shall review and determine the sufficiency of 
current requirements for the depth of cover over 
buried pipelines. 
‘‘(2) LEGISLATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) DEVELOPMENT.—If the Secretary de-
termines under paragraph (1) that the current 
requirements for the depth of cover over buried 
pipelines are insufficient, the Secretary shall de-
velop legislative recommendations for improving 
the safety of buried pipelines at crossings of in-
land bodies of water with a width of at least 
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100 feet from high water mark to high water 
mark. 
‘‘(B) CONSIDERATION
OF
FACTORS.—In 
developing legislative recommendations under 
subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider 
the factors specified in section 60102(b)(2). 
‘‘(C) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—If the Sec-
retary develops legislative recommendations 
under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall 
submit to the committees referred to in sub-
section (a)(2) a report containing the legislative 
recommendations.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 601 is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 60139 the following: 
‘‘60140. Cover over buried pipelines.’’. 
SEC. 29. SEISMICITY. 
In identifying and evaluating all potential threats to 
each pipeline segment pursuant to parts 192 and 195 of 
title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, an operator of a 
pipeline facility shall consider the seismicity of the area. 
SEC. 30. TRIBAL CONSULTATION FOR PIPELINE PROJECTS. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall develop 
and implement a protocol for consulting with Indian tribes 
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to provide technical assistance for the regulation of pipe-
lines that are under the jurisdiction of Indian tribes. 
SEC. 
31. 
PIPELINE 
INSPECTION 
AND 
ENFORCEMENT 
NEEDS. 
(a) INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT NEEDS.—Not 
later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that 
provides information on— 
(1) the total number of full-time equivalent po-
sitions for pipeline inspection and enforcement per-
sonnel at the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
Safety Administration; 
(2) out of the total number of such positions, 
how many of the positions are not filled and the rea-
sons why the positions are not filled; 
(3) the actions the Administrator of the Pipe-
line and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 
is taking to fill the positions; and 
(4) any additional inspection and enforcement 
resource needs of the Pipeline and Hazardous Mate-
rials Safety Administration. 
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(b) STAFFING.—Subject to the availability of funds, 
the Secretary may increase the number of positions for 
pipeline inspection and enforcement personnel at the Pipe-
line and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration by 10 
full-time equivalent employees, if— 
(1) on or before September 30, 2014, the Sec-
retary fills the 135 full-time equivalent positions for 
pipeline inspection and enforcement personnel speci-
fied in section 18(e) of the Pipeline Inspection, Pro-
tection, Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006 (120 
Stat. 3498); and 
(2) in preparing the report under subsection 
(a), the Secretary finds that additional pipeline in-
spection and enforcement personnel are necessary. 
SEC. 32. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) 
GAS
AND
HAZARDOUS
LIQUID.—Section 
60125(a) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) GAS AND HAZARDOUS LIQUID.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To carry out the provisions 
of this chapter related to gas and hazardous liquid 
and section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement 
Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 
107–355), there is authorized to be appropriated to 
the Department of Transportation for each of fiscal 
years 2012 through 2015, from fees collected under 
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section 60301, $90,679,000, of which $4,746,000 is 
for carrying out such section 12 and $36,194,000 is 
for making grants. 
‘‘(2) TRUST FUND AMOUNTS.—In addition to 
the amounts authorized to be appropriated by para-
graph (1), there is authorized to be appropriated for 
each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015 from the Oil 
Spill Liability Trust Fund to carry out the provi-
sions of this chapter related to hazardous liquid and 
section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act 
of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 107– 
355), $18,573,000, of which $2,174,000 is for car-
rying out such section 12 and $4,558,000 is for 
making grants.’’. 
(b) 
EMERGENCY
RESPONSE
GRANTS.—Section 
60125(b)(2) is amended by striking ‘‘2007 through 2010’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2012 through 2015’’. 
(c) ONE-CALL NOTIFICATION PROGRAMS.—Section 
6107 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘2007 through 
2010.’’ and inserting ‘‘2012 through 2015.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b) by striking ‘‘2007 through 
2010.’’ and inserting ‘‘2012 through 2015.’’; and 
(3) by striking subsection (c). 
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(d) STATE DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAMS.—Sec-
tion 60134 is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to provide 
grants under this section $1,500,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2012 through 2015. Such funds shall remain avail-
able until expended.’’. 
(e) COMMUNITY PIPELINE SAFETY INFORMATION 
GRANTS.—Section 60130 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1) by striking ‘‘$50,000’’ 
and inserting ‘‘$100,000’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘to grant recipients and 
their contractors’’ after ‘‘this section’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘, for direct advocacy for 
or against a pipeline construction or expansion 
project,’’ after ‘‘for lobbying’’; and 
(3) in subsection (d) by striking ‘‘$1,000,000 
for each of the fiscal years 2003 through 2010’’ and 
inserting ‘‘$1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 
through 2015’’. 
(f) PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AND DE-
VELOPMENT.—Section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improve-
ment Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note) is amended— 
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(1) in subsection (d) by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(3) ONGOING PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION RE-
SEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—After the initial 5- 
year program plan has been carried out by the 
participating agencies, the Secretary of Trans-
portation, in coordination with the Director of 
the National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology, as appropriate, shall prepare a research 
and development program plan every 5 years 
thereafter and shall transmit a report to Con-
gress on the status and results-to-date of imple-
mentation of the program every 2 years. The 
biennial report shall include a summary of up-
dated research needs and priorities identified 
through the consultation requirements of para-
graph (2). 
‘‘(B) 
CONSULTATION.—The 
Secretary 
shall comply with the consultation requirements 
of paragraph (2) when preparing the program 
plan and in the selection and prioritization of 
research and development projects. 
‘‘(C) 
FUNDING
FROM
NON-FEDERAL 
SOURCES.—The Secretary shall ensure at least 
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30 percent of the costs of program-wide re-
search and development activities are carried 
out using non-Federal sources.’’. 
(2) in subsection (f) by striking ‘‘2003 through 
2006.’’ and inserting ‘‘2012 through 2015.’’. 
Passed the House of Representatives December 14, 
2011. 
Attest: 
KAREN L. HAAS, 
Clerk. 
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