I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5537 
To amend title 49, United States Code, to require the establishment of 
an Office of Public Engagement in the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
Safety Administration, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 
Mrs. TRAHAN (for herself and Ms. TLAIB) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and 
in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to 
be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
A BILL 
To amend title 49, United States Code, to require the estab-
lishment of an Office of Public Engagement in the Pipe-
line and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and 
for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025’’. 
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(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
TITLE I—SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS 
Sec. 101. Factors for consideration in prescribing standards. 
Sec. 102. Cost-benefit analyses. 
Sec. 103. Technical safety standards committees. 
Sec. 104. Application of regulations to existing pipelines. 
Sec. 105. Rupture-mitigation valves on pipelines in high consequence areas. 
Sec. 106. Safety of carbon dioxide pipelines. 
Sec. 107. Blending in natural gas systems. 
Sec. 108. Extension and modification of Natural Gas Distribution Infrastruc-
ture Safety and Modernization Grant Program. 
Sec. 109. Rulemaking on underground natural gas storage. 
TITLE II—PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND TRANSPARENCY 
Sec. 201. Office of Public Engagement. 
Sec. 202. Public hearings on proposed rules. 
Sec. 203. Disclosure of safety data. 
Sec. 204. Reporting of blended products. 
Sec. 205. Incident reporting for gas pipelines. 
TITLE III—ACCOUNTABILITY 
Sec. 301. Prohibition against releases. 
Sec. 302. Actions by private persons. 
Sec. 303. Penalties. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The term ‘‘Administra-
tion’’ means the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
Safety Administration. 
(2) 
APPROPRIATE
COMMITTEES
OF
CON-
GRESS.—The term ‘‘appropriate committees of Con-
gress’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate; 
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(B) the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; 
and 
(C) the Committee on Energy and Com-
merce of the House of Representatives. 
(3) ENVIRONMENT.—The term ‘‘environment’’ 
includes— 
(A) water, air, and land; and 
(B) the interrelationship that exists among 
and between water, air, and land and all 
present and future generations of living beings. 
(4) ENVIRONMENTAL.—The term ‘‘environ-
mental’’ means relating to or concerning the envi-
ronment. 
(5) INCIDENT.—The term ‘‘incident’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 191.3 of title 49, 
Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regula-
tion). 
(6) NATURAL GAS.—The term ‘‘natural gas’’ 
has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the 
Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717a). 
(7) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the 
Administrator of the Administration. 
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TITLE I—SAFETY AND 
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS 
SEC. 101. FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRESCRIBING 
STANDARDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 60102(b)(2) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(2) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(H) the need to mitigate negative impacts 
to the global climate and avoid unnecessarily 
prolonging the life span of fossil fuel infrastruc-
ture; and 
‘‘(I) transition plans toward non-emitting 
alternatives.’’. 
(b) DEFINITION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 60101(a) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (25), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(B) in paragraph (22)(B)(iii), by inserting 
‘‘and’’ after the semicolon at the end; 
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(C) by redesignating paragraphs (17) 
through (26) as paragraphs (18), (19), (20), 
(24), (25), (26), (21), (22), (23), and (27), re-
spectively, and moving the paragraphs so as to 
appear in numerical order; and 
(D) by inserting after paragraph (16) the 
following: 
‘‘(17) ‘non-emitting alternative’ means a tech-
nological or efficiency-related energy solution that 
does not entail the use of fossil fuels that are di-
rectly or indirectly related to the greenhouse effect, 
including electrification, renewable energy sources, 
networked geothermal systems, storage, efficiency, 
and behavior change;’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(A) Section 70012(c) of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘section 
60101(a)(18)’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘section 
60101(a)’’. 
(B) Section 60102(q)(1) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended, in the matter pre-
ceding subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘sub-
section (a)(21)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection 
(a)(25)’’. 
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SEC. 102. COST-BENEFIT ANALYSES. 
Section 60102(b) of title 49, United States Code (as 
amended by section 101), is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking subparagraphs (D) and 
(E); and 
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) 
through (I) as subparagraphs (D) through (G), 
respectively; and 
(2) by striking paragraphs (3) through (7). 
SEC. 103. TECHNICAL SAFETY STANDARDS COMMITTEES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 60115 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking the third sen-
tence; 
(2) in subsection (b)(4)— 
(A) in subparagraph (C)— 
(i) by striking the second and third 
sentences and inserting the following: 
‘‘(ii) None of the individuals selected for a committee 
under paragraph (3)(C) may have a financial interest in 
the pipeline, petroleum, ethanol, or gas industries, includ-
ing through direct ownership, consulting fees, wages, or 
research funding provided directly to the individual, but 
not including any compensation for a pipeline easement 
on the property of the individual.’’; and 
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(ii) by striking ‘‘(C) Two’’ and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(C)(i) Two’’; and 
(B) by striking subparagraph (D) and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(iii) All individuals under consideration for selection 
for a committee under paragraph (3)(C) shall submit to 
the Secretary such financial records for the previous year 
as the Secretary determines necessary to evaluate compli-
ance with clause (ii). All individuals selected for a com-
mittee under paragraph (3)(C) shall submit to the Sec-
retary, prior to appointment and annually thereafter for 
so long as the individual is a member of the committee, 
such financial records for the previous year as the Sec-
retary determines necessary to evaluate compliance with 
clause (ii). 
‘‘(iv) The Secretary shall provide reasonable com-
pensation for members of each committee that are ap-
pointed under paragraph (3)(C). Such compensation shall 
not make a member of a committee an officer or employee 
of the Federal Government in determining eligibility for 
membership on the applicable committee.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
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(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘Committee each standard proposed under 
this chapter for transporting gas and for 
gas pipeline facilities including the risk as-
sessment information and other analyses 
supporting each proposed standard;’’ and 
inserting the following: ‘‘Committee— 
‘‘(i) each standard proposed under this 
chapter for— 
‘‘(I) transporting gas; or 
‘‘(II) gas pipeline facilities; and 
‘‘(ii) analyses supporting each proposed 
standard described in clause (i);’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
‘‘Committee each standard proposed under 
this chapter for transporting hazardous liq-
uid and for hazardous liquid pipeline facili-
ties including the risk assessment informa-
tion and other analyses supporting each 
proposed standard.’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘Committee— 
‘‘(i) each standard proposed under this 
chapter for— 
‘‘(I) transporting hazardous liquid; or 
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‘‘(II) hazardous liquid pipeline facili-
ties; and 
‘‘(ii) analyses supporting each proposed 
standard described in clause (i).’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), in the first sen-
tence— 
(i) by striking ‘‘cost-effectiveness,’’; 
and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘, and the strength of 
the proposed standard to promote safety 
and protect the environment (as defined in 
section 2 of the Pipeline Accountability Act 
of 2025),’’ before ‘‘and include’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are nec-
essary to carry out this section and the amendments made 
by this section. 
SEC. 104. APPLICATION OF REGULATIONS TO EXISTING 
PIPELINES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 60104(b) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking 
‘‘NONAPPLICATION’’ and inserting ‘‘APPLICATION’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘does not apply’’ and inserting 
‘‘shall be applied’’; and 
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(3) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘The 
authority of the Secretary to apply any standard 
promulgated pursuant to this chapter (including any 
standard promulgated prior to the date of enactment 
of the Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025) shall not 
be limited by virtue of a pipeline preexisting the 
issuance of that standard.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 60109(c) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (11); and 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (12) as para-
graph (11). 
SEC. 105. RUPTURE-MITIGATION VALVES ON PIPELINES IN 
HIGH CONSEQUENCE AREAS. 
Section 60109(c) of title 49, United States Code (as 
amended by section 104(b)(2)), is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘(12) RUPTURE-MITIGATION VALVES ON PIPE-
LINES IN HIGH CONSEQUENCE AREAS.— 
‘‘(A) DEFINITIONS.— 
‘‘(i) CLASS 3 OR 4 LOCATION.—The 
term ‘Class 3 or 4 location’, with respect 
to a gas pipeline facility, means, as appli-
cable— 
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‘‘(I) a Class 3 location (as de-
fined in section 192.5(b) of title 49, 
Code of Federal Regulations (or a 
successor regulation)); or 
‘‘(II) a Class 4 location (as de-
fined in that section). 
‘‘(ii) COVERED LOCATION.—The term 
‘covered location’ means— 
‘‘(I) a high consequence area; 
and 
‘‘(II) a location where a rupture 
could affect— 
‘‘(aa) a high consequence 
area; or 
‘‘(bb) a Class 3 or 4 loca-
tion. 
‘‘(iii) COVERED PIPELINE.—The term 
‘covered pipeline’ means an existing or 
newly constructed pipeline, 6 inches or 
greater in diameter, that is— 
‘‘(I) a gas transmission pipeline; 
‘‘(II) a type A onshore gathering 
pipeline (as described in section 
192.8(c) of title 49, Code of Federal 
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Regulations (or a successor regula-
tion)); 
‘‘(III) a hazardous liquid pipe-
line; or 
‘‘(IV) a carbon dioxide pipeline. 
‘‘(iv) HIGH
CONSEQUENCE
AREA.— 
The term ‘high consequence area’ means— 
‘‘(I) with respect to a gas pipe-
line facility, a high consequence area 
(as defined in section 192.903 of title 
49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a 
successor regulation)); and 
‘‘(II) with respect to a hazardous 
liquid pipeline facility or relevant car-
bon dioxide pipeline facility, a high 
consequence area (as defined in sec-
tion 195.450 of title 49, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations (or a successor regu-
lation)). 
‘‘(B) 
ISOLATION
OF
PIPELINE
SEG-
MENTS.—Beginning on the date that is 5 years 
after the date of enactment of the Pipeline Ac-
countability Act of 2025, an operator of a cov-
ered pipeline any portion of which is in a cov-
ered location shall, as soon as practicable, but 
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not later than 30 minutes after rupture identi-
fication, fully isolate any ruptured pipeline seg-
ment that is in a covered location, in order to 
minimize the volume of product released from 
the pipeline and mitigate the consequences of 
the rupture. 
‘‘(C) DEMONSTRATION OF COMPLIANCE.— 
‘‘(i) EXISTING PIPELINES IN COVERED 
LOCATIONS.—Not later than 5 years after 
the date of enactment of the Pipeline Ac-
countability Act of 2025, each operator of 
a covered pipeline any portion of which is 
in a covered location as of that date of en-
actment shall demonstrate the ability of 
the operator to comply with the require-
ments of subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(ii) 
SUBSEQUENT
DETERMINA-
TIONS.—Beginning on the date of enact-
ment of the Pipeline Accountability Act of 
2025, not later than 5 years after an exist-
ing covered pipeline is determined to be in 
a covered location, the operator of that 
covered pipeline shall demonstrate the abil-
ity of the operator to isolate the applicable 
segment of the covered pipeline not later 
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than 30 minutes after rupture identifica-
tion, in accordance with subparagraph (B), 
unless the operator has received a waiver 
in accordance with subparagraph (D) with 
respect to the applicable segment that is in 
effect on the expiration of that 5-year pe-
riod. 
‘‘(D) WAIVER
ON
REQUEST.—The Sec-
retary may approve a waiver of the require-
ments of subparagraphs (B) and (C) on the re-
quest of an operator of a covered pipeline if the 
request— 
‘‘(i)(I) demonstrates, in the deter-
mination of the Secretary, that meeting 
the 30-minute standard described in sub-
paragraph (B) is operationally, techno-
logically, or economically infeasible; and 
‘‘(II) describes the methodology used 
to reach, and the results of studies sup-
porting, that conclusion; 
‘‘(ii)(I) includes the estimated— 
‘‘(aa) isolation time; and 
‘‘(bb) consequences of a worst- 
case scenario failure on the impacted 
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high consequence area or Class 3 or 4 
location; and 
‘‘(II) demonstrates that the operator 
has involved the local emergency services 
in developing those estimates; 
‘‘(iii) demonstrates that the public 
within the impacted area and the imme-
diately surrounding areas has been in-
formed of the consequences of a rupture 
and consulted with respect to a waiver, in-
cluding by providing the estimated isola-
tion time; and 
‘‘(iv) for a pipeline segment for which 
a rupture could affect a high consequence 
area that is an unusually sensitive area (as 
defined in section 195.6 of title 49, Code 
of Federal Regulations (or a successor reg-
ulation)), demonstrates that relevant envi-
ronmental and public safety groups have 
been informed of, and consulted with re-
spect to, the consequences of a rupture 
and the request for a waiver. 
‘‘(E) EXPIRATION, RENEWAL, AND
RE-
QUIRED REVIEW.— 
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to isolate the applicable pipeline 
segment within the required time. 
‘‘(III) REVIEW
BY
THE
SEC-
RETARY.—On receipt of a request 
under subclause (I)(bb), the Secretary 
shall— 
‘‘(aa) review the request; 
and 
‘‘(bb) as the Secretary deter-
mines to be appropriate— 
‘‘(AA) grant a new 
waiver under subparagraph 
(D) with such revisions as 
the Secretary determines to 
be appropriate; 
‘‘(BB) revoke the exist-
ing waiver and require com-
pliance with subparagraphs 
(B) and (C); or 
‘‘(CC) require the sub-
mission of a revised request 
by a date determined by the 
Secretary, addressing such 
matters as the Secretary de-
termines to be appropriate. 
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‘‘(IV) EXPIRATION DUE TO INAC-
TION.—If an operator has not sub-
mitted to the Secretary a request in 
accordance with item (bb) of sub-
clause (I) by the date described in 
that subclause, the existing waiver 
shall expire as of that date. 
‘‘(F) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 2 
years after the date of enactment of the Pipe-
line Accountability Act of 2025, the Secretary 
shall promulgate new, or revise existing, regula-
tions to carry out this paragraph.’’. 
SEC. 106. SAFETY OF CARBON DIOXIDE PIPELINES. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) HIGH
CONSEQUENCE
AREA.—The term 
‘‘high consequence area’’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 192.903 of title 49, Code of Federal 
Regulations (or a successor regulation). 
(2) POTENTIAL IMPACT AREA.—The term ‘‘po-
tential impact area’’ means the area in which the po-
tential failure of a pipeline transporting carbon diox-
ide may be expected to have significant impact on 
persons, property, or the environment. 
(3) REPORT.—The term ‘‘report’’ means the re-
port of the Accident Investigation Division of the Of-
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fice of Pipeline Safety of the Administration entitled 
‘‘Failure Investigation Report—Denbury Gulf Coast 
Pipelines LLC—Pipeline Rupture/Natural Force 
Damage’’ and dated May 26, 2022. 
(b) COMPLETION OF RULEMAKING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall— 
(A) complete the rulemaking proceeding 
relating to the notice of proposed rulemaking 
issued on January 10, 2025, entitled ‘‘Pipeline 
Safety: Safety of Carbon Dioxide and Haz-
ardous 
Liquid 
Pipelines’’ 
(Docket 
No. 
PHMSA–2022–0125; RIN 2137–AF60); and 
(B) issue a final rule pursuant to that 
rulemaking proceeding, subject to the condi-
tions that— 
(i) in completing the rulemaking pro-
ceeding and issuing the final rule, the Sec-
retary shall take into consideration the 
measures described in paragraph (2); and 
(ii) any substantive differences be-
tween the final rule and the proposed rule, 
as published by the Administration on Jan-
uary 10, 2025— 
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(I) effectuate a measure de-
scribed in paragraph (2); and 
(II) are responsive to the find-
ings and recommendations in the re-
port. 
(2) MEASURES FOR CONSIDERATION.—In car-
rying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall con-
sider, and may effectuate, the following measures: 
(A) The establishment of minimum safety 
standards for all phases of carbon dioxide pipe-
line transportation. 
(B) The development of appropriate stand-
ards for the determination of— 
(i) a potential impact area, which may 
include the use of plume dispersion models 
and consideration of the impacts of local 
weather and topography; 
(ii) the area in which a rupture may 
cause a sufficient concentration of carbon 
dioxide to create a risk of fatality; 
(iii) high consequence areas; 
(iv) pipeline segments that could af-
fect high consequence areas; and 
(v) the acceptable level of contami-
nants in the pipeline. 
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(C) The development and required use of 
an effective, appropriate, and unique odorant, 
or other effective and appropriate means of leak 
detection, as determined through research and 
development. 
(D) The establishment of measures to en-
sure effective fracture propagation protection, 
including requirements relating to— 
(i) material toughness; and 
(ii) the use of fracture arrestors. 
(E) The establishment of detailed safety 
standards for the conversion of existing pipe-
lines for use in transporting carbon dioxide. 
(F) The establishment of guidelines for 
emergency response plans and emergency re-
sponder training for carbon dioxide pipeline 
leaks, ensuring that the relevant portions of 
emergency response plans are available to rel-
evant emergency responders. 
(3) OTHER CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out 
paragraph (1), including with respect to the matters 
described in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall con-
sider— 
(A) which measures will ensure the max-
imum protection of— 
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(i) public health; 
(ii) pipeline integrity; and 
(iii) the environment and public safe-
ty, consistent with section 60102 of title 
49, United States Code; and 
(B) whether the measures are responsive 
to the findings and recommendations in the re-
port. 
(c) OTHER REGULATIONS.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
promulgate regulations— 
(1) requiring operators of carbon dioxide pipe-
lines— 
(A) to identify and assess geohazards dur-
ing initial pipeline siting; 
(B) to monitor for changes in hazardous 
conditions that could impact pipeline safety; 
and 
(C) to take preventive and mitigative meas-
ures as appropriate; 
(2) establishing reporting requirements relating 
to— 
(A) the location of carbon dioxide pipelines 
and related facilities; 
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(B) the phase and material being trans-
ported through those pipelines, including the 
type and quantity of contaminants; and 
(C) how those pipelines and contents are 
inspected; 
(3) establishing standards and notification re-
quirements for cases in which the material being 
transported by a carbon dioxide pipeline is not pure 
carbon dioxide; 
(4) requiring operators of carbon dioxide pipe-
lines to notify and coordinate with relevant Federal, 
State, local, and Tribal officials and responders 
when there is an incident or accident; and 
(5) requiring operators of carbon dioxide pipe-
lines to notify individuals within the relevant poten-
tial impact area of the hazards posed by carbon di-
oxide pipelines and measures to take in the event of 
a pipeline rupture. 
(d) TRAINING AND OTHER RESOURCES.—The Sec-
retary shall provide training and other resources to rel-
evant local emergency responders that is tailored specifi-
cally to carbon dioxide pipeline ruptures, including infor-
mation on the potential impact area, any relevant 
odorants, the health implications of exposure to high con-
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centrations of carbon dioxide, and the impact of high con-
centrations of carbon dioxide on vehicle functioning. 
SEC. 107. BLENDING IN NATURAL GAS SYSTEMS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall— 
(1) conduct a study of the short- and long-term 
safety, health, environmental, and climate change 
impacts and risks of blending hydrogen into existing 
natural gas systems; and 
(2) not later than 3 years after the date of en-
actment of this Act, submit to the Secretary and the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report describ-
ing the results of the study, including— 
(A) a description of any remaining knowl-
edge gaps relating to safely moving hydrogen- 
methane blends through existing natural gas 
systems; 
(B) a description of the safety risks of hy-
drogen-methane blends in existing natural gas 
systems, including— 
(i) leak rates of hydrogen-methane 
blends and associated environmental im-
pacts; 
(ii) the performance of hydrogen- 
methane blends in existing residential, 
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commercial, and industrial infrastructure; 
and 
(iii) underground migration of leaked 
hydrogen-methane blends; 
(C) a lifecycle analysis of hydrogen, includ-
ing environmental and climate impacts and 
risks of blending hydrogen into existing natural 
gas systems, as compared to— 
(i) the status quo; and 
(ii) other pathways for greenhouse gas 
emissions reduction; and 
(D) recommendations to the Secretary for 
how to avoid or minimize risks determined 
under paragraph (1). 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the study 
under subsection (a)(1), the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall take into consideration, at a minimum, 
the findings of the study on hydrogen blending commis-
sioned by the California Public Utilities Commission and 
carried out by the University of California, Riverside, enti-
tled ‘‘Hydrogen Blending Impacts Study’’ and dated July 
18, 2022. 
(c) PROHIBITION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—No pipeline operator may 
transport any quantity of hydrogen, other than trace 
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amounts present as a contaminant, through a nat-
ural gas distribution pipeline system under the juris-
diction of the Secretary unless and until Congress 
expressly provides, by statute, for the safe regulation 
of blending hydrogen into natural gas distribution 
pipeline systems. 
(2) APPLICATION.—The prohibition described 
in paragraph (1) shall not apply to natural gas dis-
tribution pipelines that— 
(A) have been specifically designed to 
transport hydrogen above trace levels; and 
(B) have been transporting hydrogen above 
trace levels for at least 10 years as of the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 108. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF NATURAL 
GAS DISTRIBUTION INFRASTRUCTURE SAFE-
TY AND MODERNIZATION GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) MODIFICATION.—The matter under the heading 
‘‘NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION INFRASTRUCTURE SAFETY 
AND MODERNIZATION GRANT PROGRAM’’ under the head-
ing ‘‘PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY AD-
MINISTRATION’’ under the heading ‘‘DEPARTMENT OF 
TRANSPORTATION’’ in title VIII of division J of the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117– 
58; 135 Stat. 1443) is amended— 
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(1) in the matter preceding the first proviso, by 
inserting ‘‘(referred to under this heading in this Act 
as the ‘Secretary’)’’ after ‘‘Secretary of Transpor-
tation’’; 
(2) in the second proviso, by striking ‘‘to repair, 
rehabilitate, or replace its natural gas distribution 
pipeline system or portions thereof or to acquire 
equipment to (1) reduce incidents and fatalities and 
(2) avoid economic losses’’ and inserting ‘‘to repair, 
rehabilitate, replace, or retire its natural gas dis-
tribution pipeline system or portions thereof or to 
acquire equipment to (1) reduce incidents and fatali-
ties, (2) avoid economic losses, and (3) encourage 
non-emitting alternatives’’; and 
(3) by inserting after the second proviso the fol-
lowing: ‘‘Provided further, That for purposes of the 
preceding proviso, the term ‘non-emitting alter-
native’ means a technological or efficiency-related 
energy solution that does not entail the use of fossil 
fuels that are directly or indirectly related to the 
greenhouse effect, including electrification, renew-
able energy sources, networked geothermal systems, 
storage, efficiency, and behavior change: Provided 
further, That the promotion or encouragement of 
non-emitting alternatives (as defined in the pre-
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ceding proviso) may include workforce training pro-
grams: Provided further, That in making grants 
from funds made available under this heading in this 
Act, the Secretary shall give additional consideration 
to an applicant if all workers employed or contracted 
by the applicant are paid wages at rates not less 
than those prevailing on projects of a similar char-
acter in the locality as determined by the Secretary 
of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chap-
ter 31 of title 40, United States Code, and to work-
force training programs that comply with appren-
ticeship requirements similar to the apprenticeship 
requirements described in section 45(b)(8) of the In-
ternal Revenue Code of 1986, as determined or es-
tablished by the Secretary for purposes of making 
those grants:’’. 
(b) REQUIREMENT.—Of the amounts made available 
by subsection (c) each fiscal year, not less than 20 percent 
shall be used for non-emitting alternatives (as defined in 
the third proviso under the heading ‘‘NATURAL GAS DIS-
TRIBUTION INFRASTRUCTURE SAFETY AND MODERNIZA-
TION GRANT PROGRAM’’ under the heading ‘‘PIPELINE 
AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’’ 
under the heading ‘‘DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPOR-
TATION’’ in title VIII of division J of the Infrastructure 
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Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117–58; 135 Stat. 
1443)). 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING.— 
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the 
Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Mod-
ernization Grant Program described under the heading 
‘‘NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION INFRASTRUCTURE SAFETY 
AND MODERNIZATION GRANT PROGRAM’’ under the head-
ing ‘‘PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY AD-
MINISTRATION’’ under the heading ‘‘DEPARTMENT OF 
TRANSPORTATION’’ in title VIII of division J of the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117– 
58; 135 Stat. 1443)— 
(1) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, to re-
main available until September 30, 2036; 
(2) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2028, to re-
main available until September 30, 2037; 
(3) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2029, to re-
main available until September 30, 2038; 
(4) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2030, to re-
main available until September 30, 2039; and 
(5) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2031, to re-
main available until September 30, 2040. 
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SEC. 109. RULEMAKING ON UNDERGROUND NATURAL GAS 
STORAGE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promul-
gate new, or revise existing, regulations to address under-
ground natural gas storage. 
(b) REQUIREMENT.—In carrying out subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall review and consider relevant technical 
and scientific information on the safety of underground 
natural gas storage, including the most recently updated 
version of each of the following: 
(1) The standard of the American Petroleum 
Institute entitled ‘‘Design and Operation of Solu-
tion-mined Salt Caverns used for Natural Gas Stor-
age’’ and numbered API Recommended Practice 
1170. 
(2) The standard of the American Petroleum 
Institute entitled ‘‘Functional Integrity of Natural 
Gas Storage in Depleted Hydrocarbon Reservoirs 
and Aquifer Reservoirs’’ and numbered API Rec-
ommended Practice 1171. 
(c) TOPICS.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Sec-
retary shall review and consider updates to existing regu-
lations relating to risk management, emergency response, 
and ensuring that underground natural gas storage wells 
do not pose undue risks from single points of failure. 
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TITLE II—PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT 
AND TRANSPARENCY 
SEC. 201. OFFICE OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 108 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘(referred to 
in this section as the ‘Administration’)’’ after ‘‘Safe-
ty Administration’’; 
(2) in subsection (c), in the first sentence, by 
inserting ‘‘(referred to in this section as the ‘Admin-
istrator’),’’ after ‘‘shall be the Administrator’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(h) OFFICE OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CON-
GRESS.—The term ‘appropriate committees of 
Congress’ has the meaning given the term in 
section 2 of the Pipeline Accountability Act of 
2025. 
‘‘(B) COVERED FACILITY.—The term ‘cov-
ered facility’ means— 
‘‘(i) a covered pipeline (as defined in 
section 60109(c)(12)(A)); 
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‘‘(ii) a liquefied natural gas pipeline 
facility (as defined in section 60101(a)); 
and 
‘‘(iii) an underground natural gas 
storage facility (as defined in section 
60101(a)). 
‘‘(C) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘Director’ 
means the Director of the Office appointed 
under paragraph (3). 
‘‘(D) ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE
COMMU-
NITY.—The term ‘environmental justice com-
munity’ means a community with significant 
representation of communities of color, low-in-
come communities, or Tribal and Indigenous 
communities, that experiences, or is at risk of 
experiencing, higher or more adverse human 
health or environmental effects. 
‘‘(E) INCIDENT.—The term ‘incident’ has 
the meaning given the term in section 191.3 of 
title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a suc-
cessor regulation). 
‘‘(F) 
LOW-INCOME
COMMUNITY.—The 
term ‘low-income community’ means a census 
block group in which 30 percent or more of the 
population are individuals with an annual 
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household income equal to, or less than, the 
greatest of— 
‘‘(i) an amount equal to 80 percent of 
the median income of the area in which the 
household is located, as reported by the 
Department of Housing and Urban Devel-
opment; 
‘‘(ii) 200 percent of the Federal pov-
erty line; and 
‘‘(iii) a level of income higher than the 
levels described in clauses (i) and (ii), as 
determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(G) OFFICE.—The term ‘Office’ means 
the Office of Public Engagement of the Admin-
istration established under paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this subsection, 
the Administrator shall establish within the Ad-
ministration an office, to be known as the ‘Of-
fice of Public Engagement’. 
‘‘(B) PROCESS.—Before establishing the 
Office under subparagraph (A), the Adminis-
trator shall— 
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‘‘(i) seek and incorporate public input 
regarding the responsibilities of the Office, 
including through in-person public meet-
ings, prioritizing input from individuals 
without financial interests in the pipeline, 
petroleum, ethanol, or gas industries, in-
cluding environmental justice communities 
and experts in community engagement; 
and 
‘‘(ii) submit to the appropriate com-
mittees of Congress a summary of the 
input received pursuant to clause (i) and 
an explanation of how that input will be in-
tegrated into the establishment of the Of-
fice. 
‘‘(C) COMPENSATION.—The Administrator 
may provide reasonable compensation for those 
providing input pursuant to subparagraph (B) 
in order to facilitate the participation of envi-
ronmental justice communities. 
‘‘(3) DIRECTOR.—The Office shall be headed by 
a Director, who shall— 
‘‘(A) be appointed by the Administrator; 
‘‘(B) report to the Associate Administrator 
for Pipeline Safety; and 
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‘‘(C) be responsible for the discharge of the 
functions and duties of the Office. 
‘‘(4) EMPLOYEES.—The Director may appoint, 
and assign the duties of, employees of the Office. 
‘‘(5) DUTIES
AND
FUNCTIONS
OF
THE
OF-
FICE.— 
‘‘(A) COORDINATION
OF
ASSISTANCE.— 
The Director shall coordinate the provision of 
assistance, including financial assistance, tech-
nical assistance, and educational assistance to 
the public, with respect to the authorities exer-
cised by the Administration, including by 
proactive and targeted community outreach 
that incorporates— 
‘‘(i) accessible communications; 
‘‘(ii) the provision of in-person and 
online communications; and 
‘‘(iii) translations to languages spoken 
by impacted populations. 
‘‘(B) PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.—The Direc-
tor shall coordinate active and ongoing engage-
ment with the public with respect to the author-
ity and activities of the Administration, includ-
ing by— 
‘‘(i) conducting— 
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‘‘(I) proactive outreach, which 
may include public postings, signage 
at relevant physical locations, news-
paper publications, utility bill inserts, 
mailings, phone calls, canvassing, and 
door hangers, to communities, espe-
cially environmental justice commu-
nities, using varied media; and 
‘‘(II) meetings, set at times and 
places to maximize the number of 
community members who can conven-
iently attend, with appropriate serv-
ices, including, if the Director deter-
mines it would have a meaningful im-
pact on participation by members of 
affected environmental justice commu-
nities— 
‘‘(aa) translation and inter-
preting services; 
‘‘(bb) 
virtual 
attendance; 
and 
‘‘(cc) reasonable funding for 
transportation to and from meet-
ings, food, and caregiving; 
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‘‘(ii) establishing an independent, neu-
tral, accessible, confidential, and standard-
ized process to receive, review, process, and 
follow up on inquiries, complaints, and al-
legations with respect to the activities of 
the Administration and entities regulated 
by the Administration, including with re-
spect to cracks and leaks in pipeline infra-
structure identified by workers and com-
munity members; 
‘‘(iii) assisting individuals in respond-
ing to and resolving inquiries, complaints, 
and allegations described in clause (ii); 
‘‘(iv) making publicly available, and 
proactively disseminating, information on 
the manner in which members of the public 
may file inquiries, complaints, and allega-
tions; 
‘‘(v) coordinating with the Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, State 
agencies, and, as necessary, other agencies 
to direct public inquiries that are not with-
in the jurisdiction of the Administration to 
the relevant agency; 
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‘‘(vi) preparing, and making publicly 
available in accessible formats, educational 
materials about the Administration, the re-
sponsibilities of the Administration, and 
how those responsibilities interact with en-
tities under the jurisdiction of the Admin-
istration and other Federal, State, local, or 
Tribal government agencies; 
‘‘(vii) assisting local first responders, 
local officials, and community members— 
‘‘(I) to develop their own emer-
gency management plans; and 
‘‘(II) to prepare to respond to all 
potential adverse scenarios relating to 
covered facility malfunctions, includ-
ing to evacuate on short notice if nec-
essary; and 
‘‘(viii) making publicly available, and 
proactively disseminating, information on 
local evacuation plans to the surrounding 
community. 
‘‘(C) POST-INCIDENT SUPPORT.—The Di-
rector shall facilitate, including by directing im-
pacted individuals to the appropriate agency 
and coordinating with relevant counterparts at 
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other agencies, appropriate remediation, envi-
ronmental testing, and assistance with com-
pensation in the case of leaks, incidents, acci-
dents, or other relevant events.’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out section 108(h) of title 49, United States Code, 
$12,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2028. 
SEC. 202. PUBLIC HEARINGS ON PROPOSED RULES. 
Section 60104 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The Secretary of Trans-
portation’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) PUBLIC
HEARINGS.—In proposing rules 
under this chapter, including revisions to those 
rules, the Secretary shall hold at least 1 public hear-
ing to address each proposed rule or revision.’’; and 
(2) in each of subsections (d)(1) and (e), by 
striking ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary’’. 
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SEC. 203. DISCLOSURE OF SAFETY DATA. 
Section 60132 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(a)’’ and inserting ‘‘subparagraph (A)’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subpara-
graph (C) and indenting appropriately; 
(3) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (4), in the second sen-
tence, by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(B) NOTICE
REQUIREMENT.—With re-
spect to data requested from operators under 
subparagraph (A)(vi), the Secretary’’; 
(B) 
by 
redesignating 
paragraphs 
(1) 
through (4) as clauses (i), (ii), (v), and (vi), re-
spectively, and indenting appropriately; 
(C) by inserting after clause (ii) (as so re-
designated) the following: 
‘‘(iii) Information on the matters de-
scribed in paragraph (2)(E). 
‘‘(iv) The location and type of any 
valves installed on the pipeline.’’; and 
(D) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as 
so redesignated)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘and gathering lines’’; 
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(ii) by striking ‘‘of Transportation’’; 
and 
(iii) by striking the subsection des-
ignation and heading and all that follows 
through ‘‘this section, the’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) CLASS LOCATION.—The term ‘class loca-
tion’ means a class location described in section 
192.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a 
successor regulation). 
‘‘(2) COVERED FACILITY.—The term ‘covered 
facility’ means— 
‘‘(A) a covered pipeline (as defined in sec-
tion 60109(c)(12)(A)); 
‘‘(B) a liquefied natural gas pipeline facil-
ity; and 
‘‘(C) an underground natural gas storage 
facility. 
‘‘(3) HIGH
CONSEQUENCE
AREA.—The term 
‘high consequence area’ means— 
‘‘(A) with respect to a gas pipeline facility, 
a high consequence area (as defined in section 
192.903 of title 49, Code of Federal Regula-
tions (or a successor regulation)); and 
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‘‘(B) with respect to a hazardous liquid 
pipeline facility or relevant carbon dioxide pipe-
line facility, a high consequence area (as de-
fined in section 195.450 of title 49, Code of 
Federal Regulations (or a successor regula-
tion)). 
‘‘(4) MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE OPERATING PRES-
SURE.—The term ‘maximum allowable operating 
pressure’ has the meaning given the term in section 
192.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a 
successor regulation). 
‘‘(5) MAXIMUM
OPERATING
PRESSURE.—The 
term ‘maximum operating pressure’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 195.2 of title 49, Code of 
Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). 
‘‘(6) MODERATE
CONSEQUENCE
AREA.—The 
term ‘moderate consequence area’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 192.3 of title 49, Code of 
Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). 
‘‘(7) POTENTIAL IMPACT AREA.—The term ‘po-
tential impact area’ means the area in which the po-
tential failure of a pipeline may be expected to have 
a significant impact on persons, property, or the en-
vironment (as defined in section 2 of the Pipeline 
Accountability Act of 2025). 
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‘‘(8) POTENTIAL
IMPACT
RADIUS.—The term 
‘potential impact radius’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 192.903 of title 49, Code of Federal 
Regulations (or a successor regulation). 
‘‘(b) INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED.— 
‘‘(1) INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED TO THE 
SECRETARY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The’’; 
(4) in subsection (b) (as so designated), by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED TO THE 
PUBLIC.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of the Pipeline Ac-
countability Act of 2025, each operator of a 
covered facility shall provide to the public, free 
of charge, on a publicly accessible website, in a 
simple and consolidated form— 
‘‘(i) information about the substances 
being transported by pipelines managed by 
the operator, including any blended prod-
ucts, any relevant odorants, and any con-
taminants; 
‘‘(ii) the plans that have been made 
for the decommissioning of— 
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‘‘(I) each abandoned pipeline of 
the operator; and 
‘‘(II) each removed or remediated 
pipeline of the operator; 
‘‘(iii) contact information for the oper-
ator and the Pipeline and Hazardous Ma-
terials Safety Administration; 
‘‘(iv) relevant portions of operator 
emergency response plans needed by the 
public to prepare State, local, commercial, 
nonprofit, and personal emergency re-
sponse plans; 
‘‘(v) information about how far build-
ings are required to be set back from a 
pipeline; and 
‘‘(vi) for carbon dioxide pipelines— 
‘‘(I) the results of any dispersion 
modeling performed; and 
‘‘(II) any estimates of the zone in 
which carbon dioxide concentrations 
could be fatal in the event of a pipe-
line rupture. 
‘‘(B) UPDATES.—The information provided 
under subparagraph (A) shall be updated as 
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necessary, but not less frequently than once 
each year. 
‘‘(C) ANNUAL NOTIFICATION.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Each operator of 
a covered facility shall, not less frequently 
than annually, provide to the recipients de-
scribed in clause (ii) a notification that in-
cludes all information described in sub-
paragraph (A) with respect to the covered 
facility. 
‘‘(ii) RECIPIENTS
DESCRIBED.—The 
recipients referred to in clause (i) are— 
‘‘(I) the Secretary; 
‘‘(II) the owners of all occupied 
residences and operational commercial 
structures that, in the determination 
of the Secretary, could be impacted by 
a rupture or explosion of the applica-
ble covered facility; 
‘‘(III) any tenants of those struc-
tures; and 
‘‘(IV) relevant first responders. 
‘‘(iii) REQUIREMENT.—A notification 
under clause (i) shall include— 
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‘‘(I) a description of the changes 
from the previous notification pro-
vided under that clause, if applicable; 
‘‘(II) a statement of the rel-
evant— 
‘‘(aa) legal duties of the op-
erator; and 
‘‘(bb) legal rights of, as ap-
plicable— 
‘‘(AA) the owners and 
residents of the occupied 
residences; or 
‘‘(BB) the owners, ten-
ants, and manager of the 
operational 
commercial 
structure; and 
‘‘(III) a statement informing the 
recipient of the additional information 
that the recipient may request under 
subparagraph (D). 
‘‘(D) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.—On the 
request of any person, an operator of a pipeline 
facility shall provide to that person— 
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‘‘(i) the information described in sub-
paragraph (A) with respect to all pipeline 
facilities of the operator; and 
‘‘(ii) pipeline safety information, in-
cluding— 
‘‘(I) information on the matters 
described in subparagraph (E) with 
respect to each pipeline facility oper-
ated by the operator; 
‘‘(II) educational material relat-
ing to the matters described in that 
subparagraph to better inform the 
public about the information disclosed 
under subclause (I), provided in a 
simple and consolidated form; and 
‘‘(III) a description of how the 
information described in subclause (I) 
was acquired or determined, including 
any formulas used and any tests car-
ried out. 
‘‘(E) MATTERS DESCRIBED.—The matters 
referred to in subparagraph (D)(ii)(I) and para-
graph (1)(A)(iii) include— 
‘‘(i) high consequence areas; 
‘‘(ii) moderate consequence areas; 
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‘‘(iii) potential impact radii and po-
tential impact areas; 
‘‘(iv) class locations; 
‘‘(v) pipe size; 
‘‘(vi) the date of pipeline construction; 
‘‘(vii) the history of incidents, acci-
dents, and repairs on the pipeline; 
‘‘(viii) geohazards that may impact 
pipeline safety; 
‘‘(ix) pressure information, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(I) maximum operating pres-
sure; and 
‘‘(II) maximum allowable oper-
ating pressure; 
‘‘(x) with respect to gathering lines, 
the types of gathering lines, including Type 
A, Type B, Type C, and Type R pipelines; 
‘‘(xi) the health, safety, and environ-
ment management programs of the oper-
ator; and 
‘‘(xii) any other matter that— 
‘‘(I) relates to the safety and reli-
ability of a pipeline facility under the 
jurisdiction of the Secretary; and 
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‘‘(II) in the determination of the 
Secretary, is in the public interest to 
be disclosed. 
‘‘(F) DEADLINE.—Not later than 90 days 
after receiving a request under subparagraph 
(D), an operator of a pipeline facility shall pro-
vide the information required to be disclosed 
under that subparagraph to the person making 
the request. 
‘‘(3) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of the Pipeline Account-
ability Act of 2025, the Secretary shall promulgate 
regulations to carry out this subsection, including 
providing for standardized formats for operators to 
release information to the public.’’; 
(5) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
‘‘HIGH-CONSEQUENCE’’ and inserting ‘‘HIGH 
CONSEQUENCE’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) 
by 
striking 
‘‘high-consequence 
areas (as described in section 60109(a))’’ 
and inserting ‘‘high consequence areas’’; 
and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
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(C) in paragraph (2), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) make the map available to the public on an 
internet website, in a machine-readable format, as 
part of the National Pipeline Mapping System Pub-
lic Map Viewer or at an alternative location.’’; and 
(6) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(a)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (b)(1)’’. 
SEC. 204. REPORTING OF BLENDED PRODUCTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—All operators of natural gas pipe-
lines shall report to the Secretary blended, non-predomi-
nant products that exceed, at any point in time, 1 percent 
by volume of the product transported by the pipeline. 
(b) RULEMAKING.—The Secretary may promulgate 
new, or revise existing, regulations to implement the re-
quirements of subsection (a). 
SEC. 205. INCIDENT REPORTING FOR GAS PIPELINES. 
(a) DEFINITION OF GAS.—In this section, the term 
‘‘gas’’ has the meaning given the term in section 60101(a) 
of title 49, United States Code. 
(b) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promul-
gate new, or revise existing, regulations to require opera-
tors of gas pipelines— 
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(1) to meet incident reporting standards that 
require those operators to report all gas releases of 
50,000 cubic feet or more, regardless of any intent 
of the operator or any other person with respect to 
the release; and 
(2) to report— 
(A) all incidents resulting in fire or explo-
sion; 
(B) all incidents resulting in property dam-
age of $50,000 or more in value; and 
(C) all incidents resulting in bodily harm 
to any person resulting in— 
(i) loss of consciousness; 
(ii) necessity to carry a person from 
the scene; 
(iii) necessity for medical treatment; 
or 
(iv) disability that prevents the dis-
charge of normal duties or the pursuit of 
normal duties beyond the day of the inci-
dent. 
TITLE III—ACCOUNTABILITY 
SEC. 301. PROHIBITION AGAINST RELEASES. 
Section 60118(a) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
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(1) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through 
(4) as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively, 
and indenting appropriately; 
(3) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) 
(as so redesignated), by striking ‘‘facility shall—’’ 
and inserting the following: ‘‘facility— 
‘‘(1) shall—’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) shall not release gas or hazardous liquid 
from a pipeline facility in a quantity that would re-
quire the reporting of an incident or accident under 
a regulation prescribed under this chapter.’’. 
SEC. 302. ACTIONS BY PRIVATE PERSONS. 
Section 60121 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and 
(3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘(1) A 
person’’ and all that follows through ‘‘However, 
the person’’ in the second sentence and insert-
ing the following: 
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‘‘(1) CIVIL ACTION.—A person may bring a civil 
action in an appropriate district court of the United 
States for all appropriate relief, including civil pen-
alties and injunctive relief, against— 
‘‘(A) another person (including the United 
States Government and other governmental au-
thorities to the extent permitted under the 
Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution of the 
United States) for a violation of this chapter or 
a regulation prescribed or order issued under 
this chapter; or 
‘‘(B) the Secretary where there is alleged 
a failure of the Secretary to perform any act or 
duty under this chapter that is nondis-
cretionary. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS.—With 
respect to a civil action described in paragraph (1), 
a person’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2) (as so designated), by 
indenting subparagraphs (A) through (C) ap-
propriately; 
(D) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), 
by striking the paragraph designation and all 
that follows through ‘‘The Secretary shall’’ and 
inserting the following: 
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‘‘(3) NOTICE.—The Secretary shall’’; 
(E) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), 
by striking the paragraph designation and all 
that follows through ‘‘The Secretary, with’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(4) INTERVENTION.—The Secretary, with’’; 
and 
(F) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) JURISDICTION.—The district courts of the 
United States shall have jurisdiction, without regard 
to the amount in controversy or the citizenship of 
the parties— 
‘‘(A) to enforce a pipeline safety standard 
or limitation established under this chapter; 
‘‘(B) to enforce a regulation prescribed or 
order issued under this chapter; 
‘‘(C) to order the Secretary to perform any 
act or duty under this chapter; and 
‘‘(D) to impose any appropriate civil pen-
alties under section 60122.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and 
(2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, 
and indenting appropriately; 
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(B) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A) (as so redesignated), in the first sentence, 
by striking ‘‘The court’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The court’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), in 
the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so 
redesignated), by striking, ‘‘The court may 
award costs to’’ in the second sentence and all 
that follows through ‘‘In this subsection’’ in the 
third sentence and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S FEE.—For pur-
poses of paragraph (1)’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) VENUE; INTERVENTION BY THE SECRETARY.— 
‘‘(1) VENUE.—Any action under this section 
may be brought in— 
‘‘(A) the district court of the United States 
for the judicial district in which the violation 
occurred; or 
‘‘(B) the United States District Court for 
the District of Columbia. 
‘‘(2) INTERVENTION BY THE SECRETARY.—If 
the Secretary is not a party to an action described 
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in paragraph (1), the Secretary may intervene in 
that action as a matter of right. 
‘‘(f) NONRESTRICTION OF OTHER RIGHTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise limited 
by section 60104(c), nothing in this section restricts 
any right that any person (or class of persons) may 
have under any statute or the common law— 
‘‘(A) to seek enforcement of any standard 
or limitation; or 
‘‘(B) to seek any other relief (including re-
lief against the Secretary or a State agency). 
‘‘(2) STATE, LOCAL, AND INTERSTATE AUTHOR-
ITY.—Except as otherwise limited by section 
60104(c), nothing in this section shall be construed 
to prohibit, exclude, or restrict any State, local, or 
interstate authority from— 
‘‘(A) bringing any enforcement action or 
obtaining any judicial remedy or sanction in 
any State or local court; or 
‘‘(B) bringing any administrative enforce-
ment action or obtaining any administrative 
remedy or sanction in any State or local admin-
istrative agency, department, or instrumentality 
under any State or local law relating to pipeline 
safety against— 
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‘‘(i) the United States; 
‘‘(ii) any department, agency, or in-
strumentality of the United States; or 
‘‘(iii) any officer, agent, or employee 
of the United States.’’. 
SEC. 303. PENALTIES. 
(a) MAXIMUM CIVIL PENALTY FOR A RELATED SE-
RIES OF VIOLATIONS.—Section 60122(a)(1) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking the third sen-
tence. 
(b) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall revise 
subpart B of part 190 of title 49, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, in accordance with the amendment made by sub-
section (a). 
Æ 
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