Sec. 3. Minimum safety standards. 
Sec. 4. Regulation of carbon dioxide pipeline facilities. 
Sec. 5. Purpose and general authority. 
Sec. 6. Eliminating hazardous natural gas leaks. 
Sec. 7. Technical safety standards committees. 
Sec. 8. Opportunity for formal hearing. 
Sec. 9. Special permit program. 
Sec. 10. Strengthening penalties for pipeline safety violations. 
Sec. 11. Authorization levels. 
Sec. 12. Maximum allowable operating pressure. 
Sec. 13. Pipeline safety enhancement programs. 
Sec. 14. Pipeline safety voluntary information-sharing system. 
Sec. 15. Excavation damage prevention. 
Sec. 16. Protecting fuel choice for consumers. 
Sec. 17. Modernizing and expanding pipelines. 
Sec. 18. Regulatory updates. 
Sec. 19. Class location changes. 
Sec. 20. Inspection of in-service breakout tanks. 
Sec. 21. Liquefied natural gas regulatory coordination. 
Sec. 22. Hydrogen study. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
Section 60101(a)(21)(B) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(B) does not include— 
‘‘(i) gathering gas (except through 
regulated gathering lines) in a rural area 
outside a populated area designated by the 
Secretary as a nonrural area; or 
‘‘(ii) moving gas through a piping sys-
tem for a purpose that directly supports 
the operations of an onshore production, 
refining, or manufacturing facility, includ-
ing for use as fuel or feedstock, if the pip-
ing system is— 
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‘‘(I) an in-plant piping system 
that is located entirely within the 
boundary of the facility; or 
‘‘(II) a transfer piping system 
that extends less than one mile in 
length outside the boundaries of the 
facility;’’. 
SEC. 3. MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS. 
Section 60102(b) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘ben-
efits’’ and inserting ‘‘safety and economic bene-
fits within the United States’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (E), by inserting 
‘‘within the United States’’ after ‘‘costs’’; 
(2) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ‘‘benefits’’ 
and inserting ‘‘safety and economic benefits within 
the United States’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (5)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘explicitly’’ before ‘‘re-
quired’’; 
(B) by inserting ‘‘, economic,’’ after ‘‘safe-
ty’’; and 
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(C) by inserting ‘‘within the United 
States’’ after ‘‘environmental benefits’’. 
SEC. 4. REGULATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE PIPELINE FA-
CILITIES. 
(a) FACILITY OPERATION INFORMATION STAND-
ARDS.—Section 60102(d)(5) of title 49, United States 
Code is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘; and’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) for pipelines transporting carbon di-
oxide, actions and procedures for leak detection 
and for coordination, communications, and 
alerts specific to responding to and containing 
a release from such a pipeline; and’’. 
(b) CARBON DIOXIDE REGULATION.— 
(1) RULEMAKINGS REQUIRED.— 
(A) TRANSPORTATION IN LIQUID STATE.— 
Not later than one year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall issue a final rule to carry out sec-
tion 60102(i)(1) of title 49, United States 
Code; and 
(B) 
TRANSPORTATION
IN
GASEOUS 
STATE.—Not later than one year after the date 
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of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall issue a final rule to carry 
out section 60102(i)(2) of title 49, United 
States Code. 
(2) TRANSPORTATION
IN
GASEOUS
STATE.— 
Section 60102(i)(2)(B) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ‘‘consider whether ap-
plying the minimum safety standards in part 195 of 
title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on 
the date of enactment of this paragraph, for the 
transportation of carbon dioxide in a liquid state to 
the transportation of carbon dioxide in a gaseous 
state would ensure safety’’ and inserting ‘‘apply the 
minimum safety standards in part 195 of title 49, 
Code of Federal Regulations, as appropriate’’. 
(3) 
CONSIDERATIONS; 
DISPERSION
MOD-
ELING.—Section 60102(i) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(4) CONSIDERATIONS.—In prescribing stand-
ards under this subsection, the Secretary shall con-
sider public input and the adoption of industry con-
sensus standards regarding the safe transportation 
of carbon dioxide. 
‘‘(5) DISPERSION MODELING.— 
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‘‘(A) SAFETY STANDARDS.—In prescribing 
standards under this subsection, the Secretary 
shall prescribe minimum safety standards to re-
quire each operator of a pipeline facility by 
which carbon dioxide is transported to perform 
vapor dispersion modeling to identify high con-
sequence areas (as defined in section 195.450 
of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, and 
paragraph (7)(I)(A) of Appendix C to part 195 
of such title (or a successor regulation)) that 
could be affected by a release from such a pipe-
line facility. 
‘‘(B) CONSIDERATIONS.—In performing 
vapor dispersion modeling pursuant to subpara-
graph (A), operators of a pipeline facility by 
which carbon dioxide is transported shall con-
sider— 
‘‘(i) the topography surrounding the 
pipeline facility; 
‘‘(ii) 
atmospheric 
conditions 
that 
could affect vapor dispersion; 
‘‘(iii) pipeline facility operating char-
acteristics; and 
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‘‘(iv) additional substances present in 
the pipeline facility that could affect vapor 
dispersion. 
‘‘(C) MAINTENANCE OF FILES.—The Sec-
retary shall require each operator of a pipeline 
facility by which carbon dioxide is transported 
to maintain records documenting the areas that 
could affect high consequence areas, as deter-
mined using the vapor dispersion modeling re-
quired pursuant to subparagraph (A), in the 
manual of written procedures for operating, 
maintaining, and handling emergencies for such 
pipeline facility. 
‘‘(D) PROTECTION OF SENSITIVE INFOR-
MATION.—In responding to a public request for 
information regarding vapor dispersion mod-
eling performed pursuant to this paragraph, the 
Secretary may, taking into account public safe-
ty, security, and the need for public access, ex-
clude from disclosure (as the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate)— 
‘‘(i) security-sensitive information re-
lated to strategies for responding to worst- 
case carbon dioxide release scenarios; 
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‘‘(ii) security-sensitive information re-
lated to carbon dioxide release plumes; and 
‘‘(iii) security-sensitive information re-
lated to plans for responding to a carbon 
dioxide release. 
‘‘(E) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Noth-
ing in this paragraph may be construed to re-
quire disclosure of information or records that 
are exempt from disclosure under section 552 
of title 5.’’. 
(c) UNDERGROUND SEQUESTRATION OF CARBON DI-
OXIDE.—Section 40306 of the Infrastructure Investment 
and Jobs Act (42 U.S.C. 300h–9) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) UNDERGROUND SEQUESTRATION OF CARBON 
DIOXIDE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Effective immediately upon 
the date of enactment of this subsection, owners or 
operators may request that the Administrator issue 
an aquifer exemption for a Class VI well. In addi-
tion, owners or operators of Class II wells may re-
quest that the Administrator approve an expansion 
to the areal extent of an aquifer exemption already 
in place for a Class II well for the purpose of Class 
VI injection for geologic sequestration. 
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‘‘(2) DESIGNATIONS.—In considering a request 
under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall des-
ignate an aquifer or portion thereof an exempted aq-
uifer, as defined in section 144.3 of title 40, Code 
of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), if 
it meets the criteria set forth in paragraphs (a) 
through (c) of section 146.4 of title 40, Code of 
Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of en-
actment of this subsection. In addition, an aquifer or 
portion thereof shall be considered an exempted aq-
uifer for Class VI wells if the Administrator has des-
ignated that aquifer or portion thereof an exempted 
aquifer for any other purpose. 
‘‘(3) RULEMAKING.—The Administrator shall 
revise section 144.7 and section 146.4 of title 40, 
Code of Federal Regulations, to conform with this 
subsection.’’. 
SEC. 5. PURPOSE AND GENERAL AUTHORITY. 
(a) WORKER AND PUBLIC SAFETY ZONES.—Section 
60102 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘(u) WORKER AND PUBLIC SAFETY ZONES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Sec-
retary shall prescribe a safety standard requiring 
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each owner or operator of a pipeline facility to estab-
lish a worker and public safety zone at the location 
of any construction, replacement, or repair of the 
pipeline facility, within which only persons author-
ized by the owner or operator of the pipeline facility, 
including contractors and subcontractors, shall be 
permitted. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out para-
graph (1), the Secretary shall include requirements 
that the owner or operator of a pipeline facility— 
‘‘(A) ensure that— 
‘‘(i) a worker and public safety zone is 
in place at all times beginning on the date 
on which the construction, replacement, or 
repair of the pipeline facility commences 
and ending on the date on which such con-
struction, replacement, or repair is com-
pleted; and 
‘‘(ii) the worker and public safety 
zone includes any areas associated with 
such construction, replacement, or repair 
that are reasonably necessary for such ac-
tivities to be carried out; and 
‘‘(B) post a notice at an appropriate loca-
tion at or near the boundary of the worker and 
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public safety zone to increase public awareness 
and minimize potential hazards of the zone. 
‘‘(3) SCOPE.—The standards prescribed under 
this subsection shall not apply to any pipeline facil-
ity used in local distribution of gas or hazardous liq-
uid, an intrastate gas pipeline facility, or an intra-
state hazardous liquid pipeline facility. 
‘‘(4) CIVIL PENALTY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Any unauthorized in-
dividual entering a worker and public safety 
zone established pursuant to this subsection 
shall be liable to the United States for a civil 
penalty for each violation. 
‘‘(B) AMOUNT.—The Secretary shall deter-
mine the amount of such penalty using the con-
siderations under section 60122(b). 
‘‘(5) RULE
OF
CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in 
this subsection may be construed to authorize the 
use of eminent domain.’’. 
(b) ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES.—Section 60102 
of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(v) ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES.— 
‘‘(1) REQUESTS
FOR
COMMENTS.—Not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this sub-
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section, and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary 
shall issue a request for comments to identify any 
potential alternative technology that— 
‘‘(A) is commercially available; and 
‘‘(B) if used by the operator of a pipeline 
facility, will provide a level of safety that is 
equal to, or greater than, that provided by a 
safety standard prescribed under this chapter. 
‘‘(2) EVALUATIONS AND PROPOSED RULES.— 
Not later than 2 years after a request for comments 
is issued under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) evaluate the alternative technologies 
identified pursuant to such request; 
‘‘(B) determine whether any such alter-
native technologies meet the requirements of 
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such paragraph; 
and 
‘‘(C) with respect to each alternative tech-
nology the Secretary determines meets such re-
quirements, issue a proposed rule authorizing 
operators of pipeline facilities to comply with 
the applicable safety standard through the use 
of such alternative technology. 
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‘‘(3) FINAL
RULES.—Not later than 1 year 
after issuing a proposed rule under paragraph (2), 
the Secretary shall finalize such rule. 
‘‘(4) LIMITATION.—The Secretary may not, in 
a final rule issued under paragraph (3), require an 
operator of a pipeline facility to comply with a safety 
standard through the use of an alternative tech-
nology identified under this subsection.’’. 
SEC. 6. ELIMINATING HAZARDOUS NATURAL GAS LEAKS. 
Section 60108(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (D)(ii)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘with respect to gas pipe-
line facilities,’’ before ‘‘eliminating’’; 
(B) by inserting ‘‘natural gas’’ before 
‘‘leaks’’; and 
(C) by inserting ‘‘such gas’’ after ‘‘natural 
gas from’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (E)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘if applicable,’’ before 
‘‘the extent’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘pipelines’’ and inserting 
‘‘gas pipeline facilities’’; and 
(C) by striking ‘‘of the pipeline’’ and in-
serting ‘‘of the gas pipeline facility’’. 
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(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(K) in the case of an enforcement matter 
relating to a notice of a probable violation, pro-
vide an opportunity for a formal hearing de-
scribed in paragraph (2)(B).’’. 
(b) PROTOCOLS FOR PUBLIC HEARING.—Not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Transportation shall publish protocols for 
hearings open to the public pursuant to section 
60117(b)(2) of title 49, United States Code, that ensure 
an orderly process and protection of confidential informa-
tion, in accordance with section 554 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 9. SPECIAL PERMIT PROGRAM. 
(a) 
COMPLIANCE
AND
WAIVERS.—Section 
60118(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) LIMITATION
ON
TERMS.—The Sec-
retary shall impose no terms on a waiver under 
this paragraph that do not apply to known 
pipeline safety risks applicable to the standard 
being waived under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(D) PUBLICATION.—Upon completion of 
the application requirements under section 
190.341 of title 49, Code of Federal Regula-
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tions, or successor regulations, the Secretary 
shall publish notice of the application in the 
Federal Register. 
‘‘(E) REVIEW OF APPLICATION.—The Sec-
retary shall complete a review of each such ap-
plication not later than 18 months after pub-
lishing a notice in the Federal Register de-
scribed in subparagraph (D) with respect to the 
application.’’. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall submit to the Committees on 
Energy and Commerce and Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report on the implementation 
by the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous 
Materials Safety Administration of the amendment 
made by subsection (a). 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report required under 
paragraph (1) shall include— 
(A) a listing of each special permit applica-
tion applied for under section 60118(c)(1) of 
title 49, United States Code; 
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(B) a brief summary of the purpose of 
each such special permit; 
(C) the date on which each such applica-
tion was received; 
(D) the date on which each such applica-
tion was completed or, in the absence of com-
pletion, the status of the application; 
(E) the date on which the Secretary issued 
a determination on the application; and 
(F) the explanation of the Secretary for 
any decision made outside the review period 
identified in section 60118(c)(1)(E) of title 49, 
United States Code, if applicable. 
(c) GAO REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
submission of the report under subsection (b), the Comp-
troller General of the United States shall submit to the 
Committees on Energy and Commerce and Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate a report assessing the Secretary’s implemen-
tation of, and compliance with, subparagraphs (C) 
through (E) of section 60118(c)(1) of title 49, United 
States Code. 
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SEC. 10. STRENGTHENING PENALTIES FOR PIPELINE SAFE-
TY VIOLATIONS. 
Section 60123(b) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘damaging or destroying’’ and 
inserting ‘‘damaging, destroying, or impairing the 
operation of’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘damaging or destroying such 
a facility under construction and intended to be op-
erated as such a facility on completion of the con-
struction,’’ before ‘‘or attempting’’. 
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION LEVELS. 
Section 60125 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(a) GAS AND HAZARDOUS LIQUID.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—From fees collected under 
section 60301, there are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary to carry out section 12 of 
the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 
U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 107–355) and the 
provisions of this chapter relating to gas and haz-
ardous liquid $150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2024 through 2028, of which— 
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‘‘(A) $9,000,000 shall be used to carry out 
section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement 
Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 
107–355); and 
‘‘(B) $75,000,000 shall be used for making 
grants. 
‘‘(2) TRUST FUND AMOUNTS.—In addition to 
the amounts authorized to be appropriated under 
paragraph (1), there are authorized to be appro-
priated from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund es-
tablished by section 9509(a) of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 to carry out section 12 of the Pipeline 
Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 
note; Public Law 107–355) and the provisions of 
this 
chapter 
relating 
to 
hazardous 
liquid 
$28,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 
2028, of which— 
‘‘(A) $3,000,000 shall be used to carry out 
section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement 
Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 
107–355); and 
‘‘(B) $13,000,000 shall be used for making 
grants. 
‘‘(3) UNDERGROUND
NATURAL
GAS
STORAGE 
FACILITY
SAFETY
ACCOUNT.—From fees collected 
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under section 60302, there is authorized to be ap-
propriated to the Secretary to carry out section 
60141 $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 
through 2028.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ‘‘2021 
through 2023’’ and inserting ‘‘2024 through 2028’’. 
SEC. 12. MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE OPERATING PRESSURE. 
Section 60139 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)(1)(A) by inserting ‘‘except 
as provided in subsection (e),’’ before ‘‘require’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (e) as sub-
section (f); and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (d) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(e) TESTING RECORDS WORKING GROUP.— 
‘‘(1) PREVIOUSLY TESTED GAS PIPELINE FA-
CILITIES.—Until the publication of a final rule 
under paragraph (3), the Secretary shall not require 
an owner or operator of a gas pipeline facility to re-
confirm the maximum allowable operating pressure 
of a transmission line of the gas pipeline facility 
pursuant to section 192.624 of title 49, Code of 
Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations), 
if the owner or operator confirms the material 
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strength of the transmission line through prior test-
ing that is— 
‘‘(A) conducted to a sufficient minimum 
pressure in accordance with prevailing safety 
standards and practices, including any applica-
ble class location factors; and 
‘‘(B) 
documented 
in 
contemporaneous 
records. 
‘‘(2) WORKING GROUP REPORT.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 30 
days after the date of enactment of the Pipeline 
Safety, Modernization, and Expansion Act of 
2024, the Secretary shall create a balanced 
working group (hereinafter referred to as the 
‘Working Group’) to prepare a report on prior 
testing described in paragraph (1), including 
recommendations on documentation of such 
prior testing that is sufficient to confirm the 
material strength of transmission lines of gas 
pipeline facilities. 
‘‘(B) COMPOSITION OF WORKING GROUP.— 
The Working Group— 
‘‘(i) shall be comprised of the Admin-
istrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Ma-
terials Safety Administration, State pipe-
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line regulators, the public, and industry 
stakeholders active in the operation of 
transmission lines of gas pipeline facilities; 
and 
‘‘(ii) may include members of the 
Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Com-
mittee and be conducted in a manner that 
otherwise ensures input from the public, as 
determined appropriate by the Secretary. 
‘‘(C) CONSIDERATION.—In preparing the 
report required under subparagraph (A), the 
Working Group— 
‘‘(i) shall consider historical practices 
and all available research conducted re-
garding contemporaneous records of the 
minimum pressure of transmission lines of 
gas pipeline facilities; and 
‘‘(ii) may consider the need for any 
additional research or analysis needed to 
demonstrate the adequacy of any material 
strength testing performed. 
‘‘(D) APPLICABILITY
OF
FACA.—Chapter 
10 of title 5 shall not apply to the Working 
Group. 
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‘‘(E) SUBMISSION OF REPORT.—Not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
the Pipeline Safety, Modernization, and Expan-
sion Act of 2024, the Working Group shall sub-
mit to the Secretary the report prepared under 
subparagraph (A), including any minority 
views. 
‘‘(3) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 180 days 
after receiving the report submitted under para-
graph (2)(E), the Secretary shall publish a final rule 
to implement the recommendations contained in 
such report that the Secretary determines are nec-
essary to confirm the material strength of trans-
mission lines of gas pipeline facilities through prior 
testing.’’. 
SEC. 13. PIPELINE SAFETY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS. 
Section 60142 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary may’’ and inserting ‘‘During the period of cal-
endar years 2024 through 2030, the Secretary 
shall’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking paragraphs 
(1) and (2) and inserting the following: 
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‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Testing programs estab-
lished under subsection (a) may not exceed— 
‘‘(A) 5 percent of the total miles of haz-
ardous liquid pipelines in the United States; 
and 
‘‘(B) 5 percent of the total miles of natural 
gas pipelines in the United States. 
‘‘(2) OPERATOR
MILEAGE
LIMITATION.—The 
Secretary shall limit the miles of pipelines that each 
operator can test under each program established 
under subsection (a) to the lesser of— 
‘‘(A) 50 percent of the total miles of pipe-
lines in the system of the operator; or 
‘‘(B) 1,000 miles.’’; 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘3 
years’’ and inserting ‘‘4 years’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘3 years 
after the date of enactment of this section’’ and 
inserting ‘‘3 years after the date of enactment 
of the Pipeline Safety, Modernization, and Ex-
pansion Act of 2024’’; 
(4) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘equal 
to or’’ before ‘‘greater than’’; 
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(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘under 
subparagraph 
(A) 
of 
section 
60118(c)(1)’’ and inserting ‘‘waiving com-
pliance with any part of an applicable 
standard prescribed under this chapter’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
‘‘pertain only to those regulations that 
would otherwise prevent the use of the 
safety technology to be tested under the 
testing program’’ and inserting ‘‘require no 
further conditions beyond compliance with 
this section’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(C) 
APPLICABILITY
OF
SECTION 
60118(C)(1) WAIVER PROCESS.—The process to 
waive compliance with any part of an applicable 
standard prescribed under this chapter under 
subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall be 
separate from the process under subparagraph 
(A) of section 60118(c)(1) and the Secretary 
may not require a testing program applicant to 
use the process or otherwise meet the require-
ments under section 60118(c)(1) (including any 
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regulations issued thereunder) in order for an 
order waiving compliance with any part of an 
applicable standard prescribed under this chap-
ter to be issued under subparagraph (A) of this 
paragraph.’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) in the heading, by striking ‘‘IN-
CREASED SAFETY CAPABILITIES’’ and in-
serting 
‘‘PIPELINE
SAFETY
ENHANCE-
MENT’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘improvement’’ and in-
serting ‘‘enhancement’’; 
(5) by striking subsection (h); 
(6) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as 
subsections (g) and (h), respectively; 
(7) by adding the following after subsection (e): 
‘‘(f) MULTIPLE OPERATORS.—The Secretary may se-
lect up to 5 owners or operators under a single application 
for participation in a testing program to be carried out 
under subsection (a).’’; 
(8) in subsection (i)(2)(B), by striking ‘‘30 
days’’ and inserting ‘‘10 days’’; and 
(9) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(m) APPROVAL PROCESS.—The Secretary estab-
lishing and carrying out a testing program under sub-
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section (a) may not be considered a major Federal action 
under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). 
‘‘(n) PROHIBITION.—In establishing and carrying out 
a testing program under subsection (a), the Secretary may 
not enforce any requirement not described in this sec-
tion.’’. 
SEC. 14. PIPELINE SAFETY VOLUNTARY INFORMATION- 
SHARING SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 601 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 60144. Voluntary information-sharing system 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish a confidential voluntary information-sharing system, 
in accordance with the recommendations provided under 
section 10 of the PIPES Act of 2016, that— 
‘‘(1) is a comprehensive, systematic, and inte-
grated structure for— 
‘‘(A) gathering, evaluating, and quanti-
fying critical pipeline safety data and informa-
tion; and 
‘‘(B) sharing recommended remediation 
measures and lessons learned across the pipe-
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line industry in an efficient and confidential 
manner; 
‘‘(2) will encourage the voluntary sharing of 
pipeline safety data and information to improve the 
safety of pipeline facilities; and 
‘‘(3) may not be used in relation to the enforce-
ment of requirements under this chapter. 
‘‘(b) GOVERNANCE.— 
‘‘(1) GOVERNING BOARD.— 
‘‘(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of the 
Pipeline Safety, Modernization, and Expansion 
Act of 2024, the Administrator of the Pipeline 
and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 
shall appoint a governing board for the VIS in 
accordance with this paragraph, after con-
sulting with public and private pipeline safety 
stakeholders. 
‘‘(B) COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD.—The 
governing board shall be comprised of 15 mem-
bers and shall represent a balanced cross-sec-
tion of pipeline safety stakeholders as follows: 
‘‘(i) 5 individuals shall be representa-
tives of departments, agencies, or instru-
mentalities of the Federal Government and 
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of the States and territories, one of which 
shall be the Administrator. 
‘‘(ii) 5 individuals shall be representa-
tives of the gas or hazardous liquid indus-
tries, such as operators, trade associations, 
inspection technology, coating, and ca-
thodic protection vendors, and pipeline in-
spection organizations. 
‘‘(iii) 5 individuals shall be represent-
atives of general public safety advocacy or-
ganizations, such as pipeline safety and en-
vironmental advocacy groups, labor and 
worker safety representatives, and the gen-
eral public. 
‘‘(C) BOARD TERMS.—Each member of the 
governing board shall be appointed for three 
years, with the terms of five of the members ex-
piring each year. The term of at least one and 
not more than two members of each of the 
three stakeholder groups established in sub-
paragraph (B) shall expire each year. In the 
initial appointment, terms of one, two, and 
three years shall be established to allow the 
terms of five members to expire thereafter each 
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year. Each member may be reappointed for con-
secutive three-year terms. 
‘‘(D) CO-CHAIRS.—The governing board 
shall be co-chaired by the Administrator, who 
shall appoint as co-chairs, with advice and con-
sent of the governing board, a member ap-
pointed under each of clauses (ii) and (iii) of 
subparagraph (B). The co-chairs shall be jointly 
responsible for organizing and conducting meet-
ings of the governing board. 
‘‘(E) AUTHORITY.—The governing board 
shall make decisions by a super-majority, de-
fined as two-thirds plus one of the governing 
board members, and shall have the authority 
to— 
‘‘(i) govern and provide strategic over-
sight of the VIS; 
‘‘(ii) develop and make public govern-
ance documents, including a charter that 
describes the scope of the authority and 
objectives of the governing board; 
‘‘(iii) select a third-party data man-
ager with expertise in data protection, ag-
gregation, and analytics; 
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‘‘(iv) approve the criteria and proce-
dures governing how the third-party data 
manager will receive, secure, and accept 
for inclusion in the VIS pipeline safety 
data and information; 
‘‘(v) establish and appoint members to 
the issue analysis teams; 
‘‘(vi) collaborate with the issue anal-
ysis teams to— 
‘‘(I) identify the issues and topics 
to be analyzed by the issue analysis 
teams; and 
‘‘(II) specify the type of pipeline 
safety data and information that the 
issue analysis teams need to analyze 
such issues and topics; 
‘‘(vii) determine the information to be 
accepted for inclusion in, and shared using, 
the VIS; 
‘‘(viii) determine the reports to be ac-
cepted for inclusion in, and shared using, 
the VIS; 
‘‘(ix) determine which participating 
entities are authorized to access informa-
tion and reports included in the VIS; 
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‘‘(x) at least once per year, issue a 
public report on VIS processes, member-
ship of the governing board, issues being 
investigated and analyzed, pipeline safety 
data and information that the VIS has re-
quested for submission to the VIS, and 
safety trends identified; and 
‘‘(xi) perform other functions as the 
governing board decides are necessary or 
appropriate, consistent with the purpose of 
the VIS. 
‘‘(F) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT 
INAPPLICABLE.—The governing board shall not 
be subject to the requirements of chapter 10 of 
title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(2) PROGRAM
MANAGEMENT.—The Adminis-
trator shall provide program management and ad-
ministrative support for the VIS, including oversight 
of the third-party data manager. 
‘‘(3) 
THIRD-PARTY
DATA
MANAGER.—The 
third-party data manager selected by the governing 
board shall provide data management and data over-
sight services for the VIS, including— 
‘‘(A) receiving and securing pipeline safety 
data and information submitted to the VIS; 
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‘‘(B) accepting for inclusion in the VIS 
such pipeline safety data and information that 
meets the criteria and procedures established by 
the 
governing 
board 
under 
paragraph 
(1)(E)(iv); 
‘‘(C) deidentifying, storing, and managing 
pipeline safety data and information that is ac-
cepted for inclusion in the VIS; 
‘‘(D) collaborating with the issue analysis 
teams to analyze and aggregate pipeline safety 
data and information that is accepted for inclu-
sion in the VIS; 
‘‘(E) preparing reports as requested by the 
governing board regarding the type of pipeline 
safety data and information that is included in 
the VIS; and 
‘‘(F) making recommendations to the gov-
erning board regarding the management of 
pipeline safety data and information, as appro-
priate. 
‘‘(4) ISSUE ANALYSIS TEAMS.—The issue anal-
ysis teams established by the governing board 
shall— 
‘‘(A) consist of technical and subject mat-
ter experts; 
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‘‘(B) work with the third-party data man-
ager to aggregate and analyze pipeline safety 
data and information submitted to the VIS that 
is related to issues and topics identified by the 
governing board; and 
‘‘(C) collaborate with the governing board 
to identify issues and topics for analysis and 
submit internal reports and recommendations to 
the governing board on the identified issues and 
topics. 
‘‘(5) PARTICIPATION.— 
‘‘(A) 
VOLUNTARY
PARTICIPATION.—No 
person shall be required to participate in or 
submit data or information for inclusion in the 
VIS. 
‘‘(B) PROHIBITION.—The criteria and pro-
cedures established under paragraph (1)(E)(iv) 
shall prohibit the acceptance of data or infor-
mation about an operator if the operator has 
not authorized the submission of the data or in-
formation. 
‘‘(C) SHARING
OF
INFORMATION.—The 
governing board shall encourage the voluntary 
sharing of pipeline safety data and information 
among participating entities. 
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‘‘(c) INFORMATION SHARING.—Pipeline safety data 
and information accepted for inclusion in the VIS shall 
be related to the issues and topics identified by the gov-
erning board to be analyzed by the issue analysis teams, 
including— 
‘‘(1) pipeline integrity risk analysis information; 
‘‘(2) lessons learned from accidents and near 
misses; 
‘‘(3) process improvements; 
‘‘(4) technology deployment practices; 
‘‘(5) information obtained through VIS pipeline 
safety surveys of pipeline operator employees, pro-
vided that such surveys are voluntarily agreed to by 
the pipeline operator; and 
‘‘(6) pipeline safety data and information that 
may lead to the identification of pipeline safety 
risks, as determined by the governing board. 
‘‘(d) CONFIDENTIALITY.— 
‘‘(1) NONPUBLIC INFORMATION.—To facilitate 
the sharing of otherwise nonpublic pipeline safety 
data and information in the VIS, nonpublic informa-
tion accepted for inclusion in the VIS shall be kept 
confidential, except as provided in paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) 
DEIDENTIFIED
NONPUBLIC
INFORMA-
TION.— 
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‘‘(A) SAFETY.—The governing board may 
approve the disclosure of deidentified nonpublic 
information through the VIS, or by the Admin-
istrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Mate-
rials Safety Administration, that the governing 
board in its sole discretion determines is appro-
priate to disclose to improve pipeline safety, 
based on analysis of the deidentified informa-
tion and any safety findings or recommenda-
tions. 
‘‘(B) REPORTS.—The governing board, in 
issuing 
public 
reports 
under 
subsection 
(b)(1)(E)(x), shall approve the disclosure of 
deidentified nonpublic information through the 
VIS that the governing board determines is nec-
essary to adequately describe and illustrate the 
issues and topics being investigated and ana-
lyzed using the VIS. 
‘‘(3) PROHIBITION.—Except as provided in 
paragraph (2), no person, including any governing 
board member, the third-party data manager, any 
issue analysis team member, nor any Federal, State, 
local, or Tribal agency, having or obtaining access to 
nonpublic information accepted for inclusion in the 
VIS, shall release or communicate such nonpublic in-
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formation, in either an identified or deidentified 
form, to any person the governing board has not au-
thorized to access such information. 
‘‘(e) APPLICABILITY OF FOIA.—Any nonpublic infor-
mation that is accepted for inclusion in the VIS and subse-
quently obtained by the Secretary or the Administrator 
from the VIS is exempt from the requirements of section 
552 of title 5, and specifically exempt from release under 
subsection (b)(3) of such section. 
‘‘(f) EXCLUSIONS.— 
‘‘(1) EXCLUDED
EVIDENCE.—Except as pro-
vided in paragraph (3), nonpublic information ac-
cepted for inclusion in the VIS shall not be obtained 
from the VIS— 
‘‘(A) for use as evidence for any purpose in 
any Federal, State, local, Tribal, or private liti-
gation, including any action or proceeding; or 
‘‘(B) to initiate any enforcement action or 
civil litigation against a pipeline operator or its 
employees or contractors relating to a probable 
violation under this chapter (including any reg-
ulation promulgated or order issued under this 
chapter). 
‘‘(2) EXCLUSION FROM DISCOVERY.—Except as 
provided in paragraph (3), nonpublic information ac-
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cepted for inclusion in the VIS shall not be subject 
to discovery from the VIS in any Federal, State, 
local, Tribal, or private litigation or other pro-
ceeding. 
‘‘(3) LIMITATIONS ON EXCLUSIONS.—The ex-
clusions described in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall 
not apply to— 
‘‘(A) data or information that is evidence 
of a criminal violation; 
‘‘(B) data or information not related to the 
activities described in subsection (a)(1) for 
which the VIS is established; 
‘‘(C) data or information otherwise re-
quired to be reported to the Secretary under 
part 191 (including information about an inci-
dent or accident), part 192, part 194, part 195, 
or part 199 of title 49, Code of Federal Regula-
tions (or a successor regulation) or required to 
be reported under the requirements of a State 
authority; or 
‘‘(D) data or information developed or ob-
tained from a source other than the VIS. 
‘‘(g) NO EFFECT ON DISCOVERY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this section, nor 
any rule, regulation, or amendment shall be con-
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strued to create a defense to a discovery request or 
otherwise limit or affect the discovery of pipeline 
safety data and information arising from a cause of 
action authorized under any under Federal, State, or 
local law. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—Paragraph (1) shall not 
apply to exclusions from discovery from the VIS as 
described in subsection (f)(2). 
‘‘(h) REPORTING.—Not later than the end of each fis-
cal year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
on the status of the VIS. 
‘‘(i) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) NONPUBLIC
INFORMATION.—The term 
‘nonpublic information’ means any data or informa-
tion, regardless of form or format, that a company 
does not disclose, disseminate, or make available to 
the public or that is not otherwise in the public do-
main. 
‘‘(2) PARTICIPATING ENTITY.—The term ‘par-
ticipating entity’ means an entity determined appro-
priate by the Secretary to submit information for in-
clusion in the VIS, or to be authorized to access in-
formation and reports included in the VIS, includ-
ing— 
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‘‘(A) an operator of a pipeline facility, and 
related employees, labor unions, contractors, in- 
line inspection service providers, and non-
destructive evaluation experts; 
‘‘(B) the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
Safety Administration; and 
‘‘(C) a representative of a State pipeline 
safety agency, a Tribal agency, a pipeline safety 
advocacy group, a manufacturer of materials or 
equipment used in pipeline facilities, a research 
or academic institution, and other pipeline 
stakeholders. 
‘‘(3) PUBLIC INFORMATION.—The term ‘public 
information’ means any data or information, regard-
less of form or format, that a company discloses, 
disseminates, or makes available to the public or 
that is otherwise in the public domain. 
‘‘(4) VIS.—The term ‘VIS’ means the vol-
untary information-sharing system established under 
subsection (a).’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
for chapter 601 of title 49, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘60144.Voluntary information-sharing system.’’. 
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SEC. 15. EXCAVATION DAMAGE PREVENTION. 
(a) GRANTS TO STATES.—Section 6106 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b) by inserting ‘‘adoption or 
progress toward adoption of the leading practices 
listed in subsection (b) and’’ before ‘‘legislative and 
regulatory’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as 
subsections (d) and (e), respectively; 
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) LEADING PRACTICES.—Each State shall adopt 
as a part of its State one-call notification program leading 
practices that— 
‘‘(1) identify the size and scope of a one-call 
ticket for standard locate requests, including process 
exceptions for special large project tickets; 
‘‘(2) restrict the longevity of a one-call ticket 
for standard locate requests, which may include 
process exceptions for special large project tickets; 
‘‘(3) examine and limit exemptions to the State 
one-call notification program to prevent common ex-
cavation damage incidents, including limiting exemp-
tions for— 
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‘‘(A) excavation or demolition performed 
by the owner of a single-family residential prop-
erty; 
‘‘(B) any excavation of 18 inches or less 
when maintenance activities are performed; 
‘‘(C) repairing, connecting, adjusting, or 
conducting routine maintenance of a private or 
public underground utility facility; and 
‘‘(D) municipalities, public works organiza-
tions, and State departments of transportation 
for road maintenance; 
‘‘(4) specify tolerance zone horizontal dimen-
sions and requirements for hand-dig, hydro, vacuum 
excavation, and other nonintrusive methods; 
‘‘(5) specify emergency excavation notification 
requirements, including defining emergency exca-
vation and identifying the notification requirements 
for an emergency excavation; 
‘‘(6) specify the responsibilities of the exca-
vator, including the reporting of damages due to ex-
cavation activities; 
‘‘(7) define who is an excavator and what is 
considered excavation; 
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‘‘(8) require the use of white lining or electronic 
white lining, allowing for exceptions for special large 
project tickets; 
‘‘(9) require a positive response, meaning the 
utility, municipality, or other entity marks the area 
of excavation in positive response to the notification 
center and the excavator confirms a positive re-
sponse before beginning excavation; 
‘‘(10) require newly installed underground fa-
cilities to be locatable; 
‘‘(11) require the marking of lines and laterals, 
including sewer lines and laterals; 
‘‘(12) require training programs and require-
ments for third-party excavators performing exca-
vation activities that are not subject to pipeline con-
struction requirements under part 192 or part 195 
of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or any suc-
cessor regulations); 
‘‘(13) require training for locate professionals; 
and 
‘‘(14) encourage the use of commercially avail-
able technologies to locate underground facilities, 
such as geographic information systems and en-
hanced positive response. 
‘‘(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
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‘‘(1) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than 3 years 
after the date of enactment of the Pipeline Safety, 
Modernization, and Expansion Act of 2024, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committees on Energy 
and Commerce and Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a report detailing— 
‘‘(A) the adoption of the leading practices 
described in such subsection; 
‘‘(B) recommendations to increase the 
adoption of such leading practices and rec-
ommendations for the reduction of excavation 
damage incidents; and 
‘‘(C) the number of underground facility 
damages per 1,000 one-call tickets in each 
State for the reporting year. 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL
REPORTS.—Not later than 
once every 2 years beginning after the submittal of 
the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committees on Energy and Commerce 
and Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
detailing— 
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‘‘(A) the adoption of the leading practices 
described in subsection (b); 
‘‘(B) recommendations to increase the 
adoption of such leading practices and rec-
ommendations for the reduction of excavation 
damage incidents; and 
‘‘(C) the number of underground facility 
damages per 1,000 one-call tickets in each state 
for each year covered by the report.’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—This section shall not af-
fect— 
‘‘(1) the eligibility of a State or State authority 
for a grant or payment under section 60107 or 
60134; 
‘‘(2) the requirements of section 60105 with re-
spect to certifications under such section; or 
‘‘(3) the requirements of section 60106 with re-
spect to agreements under such section.’’. 
(b) STATE DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAMS.—Sec-
tion 60134(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) by striking ‘‘In making grants’’ and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In making grants’’; and 
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(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In evaluating criteria 
for determining the effectiveness of the damage pre-
vention program of a State, the Secretary shall con-
sider whether the State has, at a minimum— 
‘‘(A) effective, active, and consistent en-
forcement of the State one-call notification pro-
gram, as such term is defined in section 6102, 
(including consistency in the application of en-
forcement resources, fines, and penalties to all 
relevant stakeholders, such as operators, loca-
tors, and excavators); 
‘‘(B) data reporting requirements, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(i) to the local one-call center for ex-
cavation damage events on pipelines and 
other underground facilities, that are not 
privately owned, including (if available at 
the time of reporting)— 
‘‘(I) information about the nature 
of the incident, including the facility 
damaged and the apparent cause of 
such damage (with supporting docu-
mentation); 
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‘‘(II) the organizations or entities 
involved; 
‘‘(III) the impact to public safe-
ty, utility operations, and customer 
service; and 
‘‘(IV) the impact to the environ-
ment; and 
‘‘(ii) to a nationally focused nonprofit 
organization specifically established for the 
purpose of reducing construction-related 
damages to pipelines and other under-
ground facilities, of damages and near- 
miss events to pipelines and other under-
ground facilities from excavation damages, 
including potential contributing factors, fa-
cility damaged, type of excavator, work 
performed, equipment type, and State; and 
‘‘(C) performance measures to determine 
the effectiveness of excavation damage preven-
tion efforts.’’. 
SEC. 16. PROTECTING FUEL CHOICE FOR CONSUMERS. 
Notwithstanding the first sentence of section 
60104(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, a State or 
municipality may not adopt or continue in force a law, 
regulation, or standard that has the effect, directly or indi-
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rectly, of limiting or prohibiting the transportation or dis-
tribution for sale or resale of an energy source that is sold 
in interstate commerce and transported using a pipeline 
facility (as defined in section 60101 of such title). 
SEC. 17. MODERNIZING AND EXPANDING PIPELINES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may, if re-
quested under subsection (b), issue a Federal authoriza-
tion under this section for— 
(1) any construction, modification, expansion, 
inspection, repair, or maintenance under chapter 
601 of title 49, United States Code, of any pipeline 
facility that is constructed, or for which construction 
has commenced, prior to the date of enactment of 
this Act; or 
(2) the construction, modification, expansion, 
inspection, repair, or maintenance of pipeline facility 
that has not been constructed, or for which con-
struction has not commenced, prior to such date of 
enactment, that is to be co-located within the bound-
ary of a pipeline or electrical right-of-way that exists 
as of such date of enactment. 
(b) REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE.—A person who has 
filed for a Federal authorization from a relevant permit-
ting entity may request that the Commission issue the 
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Federal authorization under this section if the relevant 
permitting entity— 
(1) notifies the person and the Commission that 
it waives its authority to issue the Federal author-
ization; or 
(2) does not complete a proceeding that is re-
quired for the Federal authorization by the date that 
is 1 year after the date on which the person filed for 
the Federal authorization. 
(c) ISSUANCE.— 
(1) REQUIREMENTS.—Pursuant to a request 
under subsection (b), the Commission— 
(A) shall consider the request and publish 
a decision whether to issue the Federal author-
ization under this section; and 
(B) may issue a Federal authorization 
under this section only after notice and oppor-
tunity for a hearing and in accordance with the 
Federal law under which the Federal authoriza-
tion is required. 
(2) EFFECT.—A Federal authorization issued 
under this section shall be deemed to have been 
issued under the Federal law under which the Fed-
eral authorization is required. 
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(d) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall issue 
a final rule establishing procedures to carry out this sec-
tion (which may not include any changes to any regulatory 
requirement in effect on the date of enactment of this Act 
relating to any authority of the Commission under any 
other provision of law). 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 
means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 
(2) 
FEDERAL
AUTHORIZATION.—The 
term 
‘‘Federal authorization’’ means any authorization re-
quired under Federal law in connection with an ap-
plication for the construction, modification, expan-
sion, inspection, repair, or maintenance of a pipeline 
facility, including a permit, special use authoriza-
tion, certification, opinion, or other approval (includ-
ing a any authorization required pursuant to a gen-
eral permit). 
(3) PIPELINE
FACILITY.—The term ‘‘pipeline 
facility’’ has the meaning given that term in section 
60101 of title 49, United States Code. 
(4) 
RELEVANT
PERMITTING
ENTITY.—The 
term ‘‘relevant permitting entity’’ means, with re-
spect to a Federal authorization— 
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(A) the Federal agency with statutory au-
thority to issue the Federal authorization; or 
(B) a State in which the applicable pipeline 
facility is to be constructed, modified, or ex-
panded, to which authority to issue the Federal 
authorization has been delegated by the Federal 
agency described in subparagraph (A). 
SEC. 18. REGULATORY UPDATES. 
(a) REPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall submit reports to the Committees on 
Energy and Commerce and Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate regarding the status of a final 
rule for each outstanding regulation. 
(2) DEADLINES.—The Secretary shall submit a 
report under this subsection not later than 120 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 
90 days thereafter until a final rule has been issued 
for each outstanding regulation described in sub-
section (c)(2)(A). 
(b) CONTENTS.—The Secretary shall include in each 
report submitted under subsection (a)— 
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(1) a description of the work plan for each out-
standing regulation; 
(2) an updated rulemaking timeline for each 
outstanding regulation; 
(3) current staff allocations with respect to 
each outstanding regulation; 
(4) any resource constraints affecting the rule-
making process for each outstanding regulation; and 
(5) any other details associated with the devel-
opment of each outstanding regulation that affect 
the progress of the rulemaking process. 
(c) OUTSTANDING REGULATION DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘outstanding regulation’’ means a regu-
lation relating to pipeline safety— 
(1) for which no final rule, including an interim 
final rule or direct final rule, has been issued; and 
(2) that— 
(A) is required under any law for which 
more than 2 years have passed since the statu-
tory deadline for the regulation; or 
(B) is being developed under an authority 
not described in subparagraph (A), and is con-
sidered to be a significant regulatory action 
under Executive Order 12866. 
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SEC. 19. CLASS LOCATION CHANGES. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue a 
final rule amending the safety standards for class location 
changes in parts 191 and 192 of title 49, Code of Federal 
Regulations, based on the notice of proposed rulemaking 
published by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
Administration on October 14, 2020, titled ‘‘Pipeline Safe-
ty: Class Location Change Requirements’’ (85 Fed. Reg. 
65142), including consideration of all documents in Dock-
et No. PHMSA–2017–0151. 
SEC. 20. INSPECTION OF IN-SERVICE BREAKOUT TANKS. 
(a) 
INSPECTION
OF
IN-SERVICE
BREAKOUT 
TANKS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall— 
(1) review the safety standards in part 195 of 
title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, relating to the 
internal inspection of the bottoms of in-service 
breakout tanks; and 
(2) amend such safety standards to allow for 
risk-based inspections if the Secretary determines 
that allowing risk-based inspections will achieve an 
equivalent level of safety to the level of safety re-
quired under such part 195, relating to the internal 
inspection of the bottoms of in-service breakout 
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tanks, as in effect on the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
(b) CONSIDERATION.—In amending the safety stand-
ards under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider the 
5th edition of standard 653 published by the American 
Petroleum Institute issued in November 2014 titled 
‘‘Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruc-
tion’’. 
SEC. 21. LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS REGULATORY COORDI-
NATION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.—The Secretary 
of Transportation shall establish and convene a Liquefied 
Natural Gas Regulatory Safety Working Group through 
the National Center of Excellence for Liquefied Natural 
Gas Safety to clarify the authority of covered agencies in 
the authorizing and oversight of LNG facilities, other than 
peak shaving facilities, and improve coordination of the 
authority of such agencies. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Working Group shall 
consist of representatives of covered agencies des-
ignated by the Secretary of Transportation or the 
head of a covered agency. 
(2) CHAIR.—The Administrator of the Pipeline 
and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or 
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a designee of the Administrator, shall serve as the 
Chair of the Working Group, unless another member 
of the Working Group is selected by unanimous con-
sent of the members of the Working Group. 
(3) RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHAIR.—The Chair 
of the Working Group shall establish an agenda and 
schedule for the Working Group to accomplish the 
requirements described in subsection (c). 
(c) EVALUATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Working Group shall 
evaluate the authorities of each covered agency per-
taining to the siting and design, construction, oper-
ation and maintenance, and operational and process 
safety regulations of LNG facilities. 
(2) NEGOTIATION.—The Working Group shall 
negotiate the terms of agreements or memorandums 
between each covered agency pursuant to subsection 
(d) to establish procedures for— 
(A) the application of the respective au-
thorities of each Federal agency in a manner 
that ensures, through effective regulation, that 
LNG facilities are safe and in the public inter-
est; 
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(B) resolving conflicts concerning overlap-
ping jurisdiction among the covered agencies; 
and 
(C) avoiding, to the extent possible and if 
appropriate, conflicting or duplicative regula-
tion, inspection protocols, and reporting obliga-
tions between the covered agencies. 
(d) INTERAGENCY AGREEMENTS
AND MEMORAN-
DUMS OF UNDERSTANDING.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the covered agencies 
shall enter into interagency agreements or memorandums 
of understanding with respect to best practices and indi-
vidual agency safety oversight and enforcement respon-
sibilities regarding LNG facilities, other than peak shav-
ing facilities. 
(e) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date on which the covered agencies enter into 
agreements or memorandums under subsection (d), the 
Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report on such agree-
ments or memorandums entered into and how such agree-
ments or memorandums have contributed to the improved 
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