(4) an analysis of, and recommendations regard-
ing, what impact pipeline features and conditions, 
including the age, condition, materials, and construc-
tion of a pipeline, have on safety and risk analysis 
of a particular pipeline and what changes to the defi-
nition of high consequence area could be made to im-
prove pipeline safety; and 
(5) a description of any challenges affecting Fed-
eral or State regulators in the oversight of hazardous 
liquid pipeline facilities and how those challenges are 
being addressed. 
(c) DEFINITION OF HIGH CONSEQUENCE AREA.—In 
this section, the term ‘‘high consequence area’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 195.450 of title 49, Code 
of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 6. TECHNICAL SAFETY STANDARDS COMMITTEES. 
(a) 
APPOINTMENT
OF
MEMBERS.—Section 
60115(b)(4)(A) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘State commissioners. The Secretary shall con-
sult with the national organization of State commissions 
before selecting those 2 individuals.’’ and inserting ‘‘State 
officials. The Secretary shall consult with national organi-
zations representing State commissioners or Governors be-
fore making a selection under this subparagraph.’’. 
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(b) VACANCIES.—Section 60115(b) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) Within 90 days of the date of enactment of the 
PIPES Act of 2016, the Secretary shall fill all vacancies 
on the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, the 
Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards 
Committee, and any other committee established pursuant 
to this section. After that period, the Secretary shall fill a 
vacancy on any such committee not later than 60 days after 
the vacancy occurs.’’. 
SEC. 7. INSPECTION REPORT INFORMATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
completion of a Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
Administration pipeline safety inspection, the Adminis-
trator of such Administration, or the State authority cer-
tified under section 60105 of title 49, United States Code, 
to conduct such inspection, shall— 
(1) conduct a post-inspection briefing with the 
owner or operator of the gas or hazardous liquid pipe-
line facility inspected outlining any concerns; and 
(2) to the extent practicable, provide the owner 
or operator with written preliminary findings of the 
inspection. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 2 years, 
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the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy 
and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a report that includes— 
(1) a description of the actions that the Pipeline 
and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has 
taken to ensure that inspections by State authorities 
provide effective and timely oversight; and 
(2) statistics relating to the timeliness of the ac-
tions described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of sub-
section (a). 
SEC. 8. IMPROVING DAMAGE PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a study on improving existing damage 
prevention programs through technological improvements 
in location, mapping, excavation, and communications 
practices to prevent excavation damage to a pipe or its 
coating. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study under subsection (a) shall 
include— 
(1) an identification of any methods to improve 
existing damage prevention programs through loca-
tion and mapping practices or technologies in an ef-
fort to reduce releases caused by excavation; 
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(2) an analysis of how increased use of global 
positioning system digital mapping technologies, pre-
dictive analytic tools, public awareness initiatives in-
cluding one-call initiatives, the use of mobile devices, 
and other advanced technologies could supplement ex-
isting one-call notification and damage prevention 
programs to reduce the frequency and severity of inci-
dents caused by excavation damage; 
(3) an identification of any methods to improve 
excavation practices or technologies in an effort to re-
duce pipeline damage; 
(4) an analysis of the feasibility of a national 
data repository for pipeline excavation accident data 
that creates standardized data models for storing and 
sharing pipeline accident information; 
(5) an identification of opportunities for stake-
holder engagement in preventing excavation damage; 
and 
(6) recommendations, taking into consideration 
technical, operational, and economic feasibility, on 
how to incorporate technological improvements and 
practices that help prevent excavation damage into 
existing damage prevention programs. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
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submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate and the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy 
and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report con-
taining the results of the study conducted under subsection 
(a). 
SEC. 9. WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of 
Transportation shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy 
and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate, a review of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
Safety Administration staff resource management, includ-
ing geographic allocation plans, hiring challenges, and ex-
pected retirement rates and strategies. The review shall in-
clude recommendations to address hiring challenges, train-
ing needs, and any other identified staff resource challenges. 
SEC. 10. INFORMATION-SHARING SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall convene a working group to consider the devel-
opment of a voluntary information-sharing system to en-
courage collaborative efforts to improve inspection informa-
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