Title: Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2019
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2019
This bill addresses pipeline safety with respect to natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines.
Among other provisions, the bill

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5175 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 5175

 To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide enhanced safety in 
            pipeline transportation, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 19, 2019

Mr. Crawford (for himself, Mr. Graves of Missouri, Mr. Bost, Mr. Weber 
of Texas, Mrs. Miller, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Pence, Mr. Young, Mr. Babin, Mr. 
 Perry, Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois, Mr. Stauber, Mr. Balderson, Mr. 
   LaMalfa, Mr. Spano, Mr. Meadows, Mr. Woodall, Mr. Katko, and Miss 
Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico) 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 consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide enhanced safety in 
            pipeline transportation, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 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 Safety 
Improvement Act of 2019''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 3. Strengthening operator qualification programs.
Sec. 4. Safety-related condition reports.
Sec. 5. Property damage threshold.
Sec. 6. Pipeline facility security.
Sec. 7. Access to oil spill response plans.
Sec. 8. National pipeline mapping system.
Sec. 9. Depth of cover for inland bodies of water.
Sec. 10. Pipeline operating status.
Sec. 11. Advancement of new pipeline safety technologies and 
                            approaches.
Sec. 12. Pipeline safety voluntary information-sharing system.
Sec. 13. User fees.
Sec. 14. User fees for underground natural gas storage facilities.
Sec. 15. Liquefied natural gas facility safety.
Sec. 16. Unusually sensitive areas.
Sec. 17. Workforce.
Sec. 18. Nationwide integrated pipeline safety regulatory database.
Sec. 19. Regulatory updates.
Sec. 20. Construction project approvals.
Sec. 21. Report on emissions.
Sec. 22. Changes in class location.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Gas and Hazardous Liquid.--Section 60125(a) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) Gas and Hazardous Liquid.--
            ``(1) In general.--To carry out the provisions of this 
        chapter related to gas and hazardous liquid and section 12 of 
        the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 
        note; Public Law 107-355), there are authorized to be 
        appropriated to the Secretary from fees collected under section 
        60301--
                    ``(A) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2020, of which 
                $9,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such 
                section 12 and $60,000,000 shall be expended for making 
                grants;
                    ``(B) $154,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, of which 
                $9,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such 
                section 12 and $63,000,000 shall be expended for making 
                grants;
                    ``(C) $158,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, of which 
                $9,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such 
                section 12 and $66,000,000 shall be expended for making 
                grants; and
                    ``(D) $162,000,000 for fiscal year 2023, of which 
                $9,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such 
                section 12 and $69,000,000 shall be expended for making 
                grants.
            ``(2) Trust fund amounts.--In addition to the amounts 
        authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1), there are 
        authorized to be appropriated from the Oil Spill Liability 
        Trust Fund described in section 9509(a) of the Internal Revenue 
        Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 9509(a)) to carry out the provisions of 
        this chapter relating to hazardous liquid and section 12 of the 
        Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; 
        Public Law 107-355)--
                    ``(A) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2020, of which--
                            ``(i) $3,000,000 shall be used to carry out 
                        section 12 of such Act; and
                            ``(ii) $10,000,000 shall be used for making 
                        grants;
                    ``(B) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, of which--
                            ``(i) $3,000,000 shall be used to carry out 
                        section 12 of such Act; and
                            ``(ii) $11,000,000 shall be used for making 
                        grants;
                    ``(C) $27,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, of which--
                            ``(i) $3,000,000 shall be used to carry out 
                        section 12 of such Act; and
                            ``(ii) $12,000,000 shall be used for making 
                        grants; and
                    ``(D) $28,000,000 for fiscal year 2023, of which--
                            ``(i) $3,000,000 shall be used to carry out 
                        section 12 of such Act; and
                            ``(ii) $13,000,000 shall be used for making 
                        grants.
            ``(3) Underground natural gas storage facility safety 
        account.--To carry out section 60141, there is authorized to be 
        appropriated to the Secretary $8,000,000 from fees collected 
        under section 60302 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 
        2023.''.
    (b) Operational Expenses.--Section 2(b) of the PIPES Act of 2016 
(Public Law 114-183; 130 Stat. 515) is amended by striking paragraphs 
(1) through (4) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2020.
            ``(2) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2021.
            ``(3) $27,000,000 for fiscal year 2022.
            ``(4) $28,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.''.
    (c) Emergency Response Grants.--Section 60125(b) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Emergency Response Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may establish a program to 
        make grants to State, county, local, and tribal governments and 
        nonprofit organizations providing pipeline emergency response 
        training, for--
                    ``(A) emergency response management;
                    ``(B) training; and
                    ``(C) technical assistance.
            ``(2) Training requirements.--To the extent that a grant is 
        used to train emergency responders, any training shall ensure 
        that emergency responders can protect nearby persons, property, 
        and the environment from the effects of accidents or incidents 
        involving gas or hazardous liquid pipelines, in accordance with 
        existing regulations.
            ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $12,000,000 for 
        each of fiscal years 2020 through 2023.''.
    (d) One-Call Notification Programs.--Section 6107 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ``2016 through 2019'' and 
inserting ``2020 through 2023''.
    (e) Pipeline Safety Information Grants to Communities.--Section 
60130(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(c) Funding.--
            ``(1) In general.--Of the amounts made available under 
        section 2(b) of the PIPES Act of 2016, the Secretary shall use 
        $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2023 to carry 
        out this section.
            ``(2) Limitation.--Any amounts used to carry out this 
        section may not be derived from user fees collected under 
        section 60301.''.
    (f) Damage Prevention Programs.--Section 60134(i) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended in the first sentence by striking ``2012 
through 2015'' and inserting ``2020 through 2023''.
    (g) Pipeline Integrity Program.--Section 12(f) of the Pipeline 
Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 107-
355) is amended by striking ``2016 through 2019'' and inserting ``2020 
through 2023''.

SEC. 3. STRENGTHENING OPERATOR QUALIFICATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) Qualifications of Pipeline Operators.--Section 60102(a)(3) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``operates and maintains'' and inserting 
        ``operates and maintains, or constructs,'';
            (2) by inserting ``, a gas gathering line, or a hazardous 
        liquid gathering line'' before ``shall address'';
            (3) by striking ``operator of a pipeline facility'' and 
        inserting ``operator of a pipeline facility, a gas gathering 
        line, or a hazardous liquid gathering line'';
            (4) by striking ``operate and maintain'' and inserting 
        ``operate and maintain, or construct'' each place it appears; 
        and
            (5) by inserting ``, gas gathering lines, or hazardous 
        liquid gathering lines'' before the period at the end.
    (b) Verification of Pipeline Qualification Programs.--Section 60131 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (d) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) A management of change program that will communicate 
        changes that affect covered tasks to individuals performing 
        those covered tasks.''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (g) and inserting the following:
    ``(g) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Covered task.--The term `covered task'--
                    ``(A) with respect to a gas pipeline facility, has 
                the meaning such term has under section 192.801 of 
                title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, including any 
                subsequent modifications; and
                    ``(B) with respect to a hazardous liquid pipeline 
                facility, has the meaning such term has under section 
                195.501 of such title, including any subsequent 
                modifications;
                    ``(C) includes, with respect to a gas pipeline 
                facility or a hazardous liquid pipeline facility 
                described in subparagraphs (A) and (B), a construction 
                task.
            ``(2) Pipeline facility.--The term `pipeline facility' 
        includes regulated gas gathering lines and regulated hazardous 
        liquid gathering lines.''.
    (c) Operator Qualification Program Effectiveness.--
            (1) Rulemaking required.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation 
        shall issue such regulations as are necessary to require 
        pipeline facility operator qualification programs to include a 
        written process to measure the effectiveness of the program at 
        minimizing human error during the performance of a covered 
        task.
            (2) Considerations.--In issuing the regulations required 
        under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the elements 
        of program effectiveness contained in the notice of proposed 
        rulemaking issued on July 10, 2015 titled ``Pipeline Safety: 
        Operator Qualification, Cost Recovery, Accident and Incident 
        Notification, and Other Pipeline Safety 3 Proposed Changes'' 
        (80 Fed. Reg. 39916).
            (3) Covered task defined.--In this subsection, the term 
        ``covered task'' has the meaning given the term in section 
        60131(g) of title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 4. SAFETY-RELATED CONDITION REPORTS.

    Section 60102(h) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2) by striking ``Notice of the condition 
        shall be given concurrently to appropriate State 
        authorities.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3)(A) Notice of the condition of an intrastate or 
        interstate pipeline facility shall be given concurrently to 
        appropriate State authorities, as defined by the Secretary.
            ``(B) The Secretary shall require that when a State agency 
        receives a report on a safety-related condition, the State 
        agency shall provide the report to any State emergency response 
        commission, tribal emergency response commission, tribal 
        emergency planning committee, local emergency planning 
        committee, local government, or public agency responsible for 
        emergency response that requests the report, including any 
        updates to the report received by the State agency.''.

SEC. 5. PROPERTY DAMAGE THRESHOLD.

    Section 60123(d)(2)(A) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ``$50,000'' and inserting ``$200,000''.

SEC. 6. PIPELINE FACILITY SECURITY.

    Section 60123 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(e) Penalty for Altering Physical Infrastructure.--
            ``(1) Definition of altering a pipeline facility.--In this 
        subsection, the term `altering a pipeline facility' means--
                    ``(A) the unauthorized turning or manipulation of 
                any valve of a pipeline facility described in 
                subsection (b);
                    ``(B) the puncturing of--
                            ``(i) an existing pipeline that is in use 
                        for a facility described in subsection (b); or
                            ``(ii) a pipeline pipe, pump, or valve 
                        intended to be used by a facility described in 
                        subsection (b); or
                    ``(C) causing a defect that would affect the 
                integrity of safe operations for--
                            ``(i) an existing pipeline that is in use 
                        for a facility described in subsection (b); or
                            ``(ii) a pipeline pipe, pump, or valve 
                        intended to be used by a facility described in 
                        subsection (b).
            ``(2) Penalty.--A person knowingly and willfully altering a 
        pipeline facility shall be fined or imprisoned in accordance 
        with subsection (a).
            ``(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection 
        abridges the exercise of rights guaranteed under the First 
        Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.''.

SEC. 7. ACCESS TO OIL SPILL RESPONSE PLANS.

    Section 60138 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``and'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(D) by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) provide to a Member of Congress, upon written request 
        from such Member, access to view a copy of the plan, the 
        contents of which the Secretary may not redact, but may note as 
        the Secretary determines appropriate--
                    ``(A) proprietary information; and
                    ``(B) security-sensitive information, including 
                information described in section 1520.5(a) of title 49, 
                Code of Federal Regulations.'';
            (2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (d); and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Limitations on Information Provided to Congress.--The 
following requirements shall apply to any activities carried out under 
subsection (a)(3):
            ``(1) To review an oil spill response plan, the 
        Administrator shall provide the Member access to a full and 
        unredacted paper copies of the plans for the Congressional 
        district of such Member in a secure reading room for purposes 
        of review only.
            ``(2) Congressional review of full and unredacted copies of 
        oil spill response plans carried out under such subsection 
        shall be the exclusive authority for congressional review of 
        such plans.
            ``(3) Information identified under subparagraph (A) and (B) 
        of subsection (a)(3) may not be distributed in any form, 
        including verbal, electronic or written communication, or 
        transmittal of copied image.
            ``(4) All information described in paragraph (3) shall 
        remain confidential and any unauthorized disclosure of such 
        information is subject to a fine of $10,000.
            ``(5) The provision of access to information described in 
        paragraph (3) shall not be construed to waive or amend the 
        obligations or authorities of the Administrator to protect 
        information from disclosure pursuant to section 552(b) of title 
        5, section 60138, or any other applicable laws.''.

SEC. 8. NATIONAL PIPELINE MAPPING SYSTEM.

    (a) In General.--Section 60132 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following:
    ``(f) Public Disclosure Limited.--Data and information submitted to 
the Secretary under this section may not be disclosed to the public 
pursuant to section 552(b)(3)(B) of title 5.''.
    (b) Evaluation of Information.--Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue regulations on 
the evaluation of the information required under paragraphs (1) through 
(4) of section 60132(a) of title 49, United States Code, with respect 
to gathering lines.

SEC. 9. DEPTH OF COVER FOR INLAND BODIES OF WATER.

    Section 60140 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(c) Data Set for Pipelines Crossing Certain Water Bodies.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall collect and 
        maintain geospatial data capable of identifying hazardous 
        liquid pipelines crossing inland bodies of water with a width 
        of at least 100 feet from high-water mark to high-water mark 
        and where the pipeline segment is within, or could affect, a 
        high consequence area (as defined in sections 192.903 and 
        195.450 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations).
            ``(2) Public information.--The Secretary shall make the 
        data set collected and maintained under paragraph (1) available 
        on the publicly available website of the Department of 
        Transportation.
            ``(3) National pipeline mapping system.--The Secretary 
        shall include such data set in the National Pipeline Mapping 
        System for purposes of meeting the requirement under paragraph 
        (2).''.

SEC. 10. PIPELINE OPERATING STATUS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 601 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 60142. Idled pipelines
    ``(a) Definition of Idled.--In this section, the term `idled', with 
respect to a pipeline, means that the pipeline--
            ``(1)(A) has ceased normal operations;
            ``(B) will not resume service for a period of not less than 
        180 days;
            ``(2) has been isolated from all sources of hazardous 
        liquid, natural gas, or other gas;
            ``(3) has been purged of combustibles and hazardous 
        materials;
            ``(4) if a blanket of inert, nonflammable gas is placed in 
        the line, such gas must be at low pressure and odorized; and
            ``(5) has received approval from the Secretary to be 
        removed as an active pipeline.
    ``(b) Approval.--Before an operator may place a natural or other 
gas pipeline facility or hazardous liquid pipeline facility into idled 
status, the operator must request an approval, in writing, from the 
Secretary.
    ``(c) Extension.--The Secretary may allow idled natural or other 
gas pipeline facilities and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities to 
remain in idled status for a period longer than described in paragraph 
(a), provided that such request be made in writing and not exceed a 
period of 5 years for each requested extension.
    ``(d) Rulemaking.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate 
        regulations prescribing the applicability of the pipeline 
        safety requirements to idled natural or other gas pipeline 
        facilities and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities.
            ``(2) Requirements.--The regulations promulgated under 
        paragraph (1) shall contain the following requirements:
                    ``(A) In general.--The applicability of the 
                regulations under paragraph (1) shall be based on the 
                risk that idled natural or other gas pipeline 
                facilities and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities 
                pose to the public, property, and the environment, and 
                shall include requirements to resume operation.
                    ``(B) Notification and approval.--The Secretary 
                shall establish procedures, including a requirement for 
                notification to the public, for requesting an approval, 
                described in subsection (b), and an extension, 
                described in subsection (c), before an operator changes 
                the operating status of a natural or other gas pipeline 
                facility or hazardous liquid pipeline facility.
                    ``(C) Inspection.--The Secretary or an appropriate 
                State agency shall inspect each idled natural or other 
                gas pipeline facility or hazardous liquid pipeline 
                facility and verify that the pipeline has been purged 
                of combustibles and hazardous materials.
                    ``(D) Requirements for reinspection.--The Secretary 
                shall determine the requirements for periodic 
                reinspection of idled natural or other gas pipeline 
                facilities and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities.
                    ``(E) Inventory.--The Secretary shall require 
                operators to report to the Secretary information on 
                idled natural or other gas pipeline facilities and 
                hazardous liquid pipeline facilities in their system, 
                including the location of a pipeline, whether the 
                pipeline has been purged of combustibles and hazardous 
                materials, whether a blanket of inert gas remains in 
                the line, the date on which the operator idled the 
                pipeline, and a written description for why the 
                operator chose to place each pipeline into idle status.
    ``(e) Availability of Data.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall make available to 
        the public the inventory required under subsection (d)(E), and 
        publish annually on a website accessible to the public a list 
        indicating pipeline operating status changes. The list shall 
        include--
                    ``(A) the name of the operator;
                    ``(B) the operating status change of the pipeline; 
                and
                    ``(C) the approximate location, including beginning 
                and end point for the pipeline that is subject to the 
                change in operating status.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 601 of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new item:

``60142. Idled pipelines.''.

SEC. 11. ADVANCEMENT OF NEW PIPELINE SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES AND 
              APPROACHES.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 601 of title 49, United States Code, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 60143. Pipeline safety technology testing programs
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may establish and carry out 
limited safety-enhancing testing programs to evaluate innovative 
technologies and operational practices testing the safe operation of--
            ``(1) a natural gas pipeline facility; or
            ``(2) a hazardous liquid pipeline facility.
    ``(b) Limitations.--
            ``(1) High population areas.--Any program established under 
        subsection (a) shall not be located in a high population area 
        (as defined in section 195.450 of title 49, Code of Federal 
        Regulations).
    ``(c) Duration.--The term of a testing program established under 
subsection (a) shall be not more than a period of 4 years beginning on 
the date of approval of the program.
    ``(d) Safety Standards.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall require, as a 
        condition of approval of a testing program under subsection 
        (a), that the safety measures in the testing program are 
        designed to achieve a level of safety that is greater than, or 
        equivalent to, the level of safety required by this chapter.
            ``(2) Determination.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may issue an order 
                under subparagraph (A) of section 60118(c)(1) to 
                accomplish the purpose of a testing program for a term 
                not to exceed the time period described in subsection 
                (c) if the condition described in paragraph (1) is met, 
                as determined by the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Limitation.--An order under subparagraph (A) 
                of such section shall pertain only to those regulations 
                that would otherwise prevent the use of the safety 
                technology to be tested under the testing program.
    ``(e) Considerations.--In establishing a testing program under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider--
            ``(1) whether the owners or operators participating in the 
        program have a safety management system in place;
            ``(2) whether the proposed safety technology has been 
        tested through a research and development program carried out 
        by--
                    ``(A) the Secretary;
                    ``(B) collaborative research development 
                organizations; or
                    ``(C) other institutions; and
            ``(3) whether the pipeline segments tested by the program 
        are outside of a high population area (as defined in section 
        195.450 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations).
    ``(f) Data and Findings.--As a participant in a testing program 
established under subsection (a), an operator shall submit to the 
Secretary detailed findings and a summary of data collected as a result 
of participation in the testing program.
    ``(g) Authority To Revoke Participation.--The Secretary shall 
immediately revoke participation in a testing program under subsection 
(a) if--
            ``(1) the participant fails to comply with the terms and 
        conditions of the testing program; or
            ``(2) in the determination of the Secretary, continued 
        participation in the testing program by the participant would 
        be unsafe or would not be consistent with the goals and 
        objectives of this chapter.
    ``(h) Authority To Terminate Program.--The Secretary shall 
immediately terminate a testing program under subsection (a) if 
continuation of the testing program would not be consistent with the 
goals and objectives of this chapter.
    ``(i) State Rights.--
            ``(1) Exemption.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), if a 
        State submits to the Secretary notice that the State requests 
        an exemption from any testing program considered for 
        establishment under this section, the State shall be exempt.
            ``(2) Limitations.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall not grant a 
                requested exemption under paragraph (1) after a testing 
                program is established.
                    ``(B) Late notice.--The Secretary shall not grant a 
                requested exemption under paragraph (1) if the notice 
                submitted under that paragraph is submitted to the 
                Secretary more than 10 days after the date on which the 
                Secretary issues an order providing an effective date 
                for the testing program.
            ``(3) Effect.--If a State has not submitted a notice 
        requesting an exemption under paragraph (1), the State shall 
        not enforce any law (including regulations) that is 
        inconsistent with a testing program in effect in the State 
        under this section.
    ``(j) Program Review Process and Public Notice.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall publish in the 
        Federal Register a notice of each testing program under 
        subsection (a), including the order to be considered, and 
        provide an opportunity for public comment for not less than 60 
        days.
            ``(2) Response from secretary.--Not later than the date on 
        which the Secretary issues an order providing an effective date 
        of a testing program noticed under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
        shall respond to each comment submitted under that paragraph.
    ``(k) Report.--At the conclusion of each testing program, the 
Secretary shall make publicly available on the website of the 
Department of Transportation a report containing--
            ``(1) the findings and conclusions of the Secretary with 
        respect to the testing program; and
            ``(2) any recommendations of the Secretary with respect to 
        the testing program, including any recommendations for 
        amendments to laws (including regulations) and the 
        establishment of standards, that--
                    ``(A) would enhance the safe operation of 
                interstate gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities; 
                and
                    ``(B) are technically, operationally, and 
                economically feasible.
    ``(l) Standards.--If a report under subsection (k) indicates that 
it is practicable to establish technically, operationally, and 
economically feasible standards for the use of a safety-enhancing 
technology and any corresponding operational practices tested by the 
testing program described in the report, the Secretary, as soon as 
practicable after submission of the report, may promulgate regulations 
consistent with chapter 5 of title 5 (commonly known as the 
`Administrative Procedures Act') that--
            ``(1) allow operators of interstate gas or hazardous liquid 
        pipeline facilities to use the relevant technology or practice 
        to the extent practicable; and
            ``(2) establish technically, operationally, and 
        economically feasible standards for the capability and 
        deployment of the technology or practice.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 601 of 
title 49, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end 
the following:

``60143. Pipeline safety technology testing programs.''.

SEC. 12. PIPELINE SAFETY VOLUNTARY INFORMATION-SHARING SYSTEM.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 601 of title 49, United States Code, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 60144. Voluntary information-sharing system
    ``(a) Establishment.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to the availability of funds, 
        the Secretary may establish a confidential and nonpunitive 
        voluntary information-sharing system (referred to in this 
        section as the `System') to encourage collaborative efforts to 
        improve inspection information feedback and information 
        sharing, with the purpose of improving natural gas transmission 
        and hazardous liquid pipeline safety.
            ``(2) Components.--The System--
                    ``(A) shall include pipeline integrity risk 
                analysis information; and
                    ``(B) may include other information relating to 
                reducing pipeline incidents, such as--
                            ``(i) lessons learned from accidents and 
                        near misses;
                            ``(ii) process improvements;
                            ``(iii) technology deployments; and
                            ``(iv) other voluntary information-sharing 
                        systems.
            ``(3) Requirement.--The System shall protect proprietary 
        information while encouraging the exchange of data, including 
        in-line inspection and dig verification data, among operators, 
        tool vendors, and the representatives of the Secretary to 
        facilitate the development of--
                    ``(A) advanced pipeline-inspection technologies; 
                and
                    ``(B) enhanced risk analysis.
            ``(4) Consultation.--If appropriate, the Secretary may 
        involve other public and private stakeholders in establishing 
        and maintaining the System.
    ``(b) Data Manager.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary 
may engage a partner agency or nongovernmental entity to receive, 
store, manage, and provide for the use of--
            ``(1) system data; and
            ``(2) information submitted to the System.
    ``(c) Limitation on Disclosure.--
            ``(1) Applicability of foia.--Any part of any record 
        (including, but not limited to an analysis by a pipeline 
        operator of the safety risks of the pipeline operator and a 
        statement of the mitigation measures identified by the pipeline 
        operator to address those risks) provided to the Secretary and 
        retained in the System is exempt from the requirements of 
        section 552 of title 5, and specifically exempt from release 
        under subsection (b)(3) of that section, if the record is--
                    ``(A) supplied to the Secretary for purposes of the 
                System; or
                    ``(B) made available for inspection and copying by 
                an officer, employee, or agent of the Secretary for 
                purposes of the System.
            ``(2) Exception.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the 
        Secretary in consultation with the information owner, may 
        disclose deidentified material or any part of any record 
        comprised of facts otherwise available to the public if, in the 
        sole discretion of the Secretary, the Secretary determines that 
        disclosure would be consistent with the confidentiality needed 
        for the System and improve pipeline safety.
    ``(d) Excluded Evidence.--Except as provided in subsection (f), any 
data or information submitted to or stored, managed, analyzed, or 
produced by the System shall not be used--
            ``(1) as evidence for any purpose in any Federal, State, 
        local, Tribal, or private litigation, including any action or 
        proceeding; or
            ``(2) to support any corrective action relating to a 
        probable violation under this chapter (including any regulation 
        promulgated or order issued under this chapter).
    ``(e) Exclusion From Discovery.--Except as provided in subsection 
(f), any data or information submitted to or stored, managed, analyzed, 
or produced by the System shall not be subject to discovery in any 
Federal, State, local, Tribal, or private litigation or other 
proceeding.
    ``(f) Limitations on Exclusion.--The exclusions described in 
subsections (d) and (e) shall not apply to--
            ``(1) evidence of a knowing and willful violation;
            ``(2) a reportable release under sections 191.7 or 195.50 
        of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
        regulation);
            ``(3) a safety-related condition under sections 191.7 or 
        195.55 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
        regulation); or
            ``(4) data or information obtained by the Secretary 
        independently of the System.
    ``(g) Governing Board.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a governing 
board co-chaired by the Administrator and a representative of the 
pipeline industry to--
            ``(1) govern the System through consensus of the board and 
        co-chairs;
            ``(2) develop governance documents and oversee their 
        enforcement; and
            ``(3) establish and appoint members of issue analysis 
        teams;
    ``(h) Confidentiality.--No person, including any System governing 
board member, program manager, third-party data manager, issue analysis 
team member, nor any Federal, State, local or tribal agency, having or 
obtaining access to any data or information submitted to, stored, 
managed, analyzed or produced by the System, shall release or 
communicate that information to any person outside the System, with the 
sole exception being the publication of reports by the System based on 
analysis of de-identified information and safety related findings that 
the System governing board in its sole discretion determines to publish 
or authorize the Administration to publish.
    ``(i) Voluntary Participation.--No person may be compelled to 
participate in or submit data or information to the System.
    ``(j) Sustainable Funding.--The Secretary shall explore sustainable 
funding sources for the System, including public-private partnerships.
    ``(k) Effect.--Nothing in this section affects any Federal or State 
pipeline safety law.
    ``(l) Limitation on Funding.--The Secretary may expend not more 
than $1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2020 through 2024 to 
establish the System.
    ``(m) Savings Clause.--Notwithstanding the protections provided 
under this section, no pipeline operator may use the submission of 
information to the System as protection against enforcement actions or 
corrective orders that are based on information or evidence obtained 
outside of the System.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 601 of 
title 49, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end 
the following:

``60144.Voluntary information-sharing system.''.

SEC. 13. USER FEES.

    Section 60301(d)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``and'' at the end; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) related to a liquefied natural gas pipeline 
                facility may be used only for an activity related to 
                liquefied natural gas pipeline facility under this 
                chapter; and''.

SEC. 14. USER FEES FOR UNDERGROUND NATURAL GAS STORAGE FACILITIES.

    Section 60302 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)(2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (B) by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) may only be used to the extent provided in 
                advance in an appropriations Act.'';
            (2) by striking paragraph (3) of subsection (c); and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Limitations.--Fees imposed under subsection (a) shall be 
sufficient to pay for the costs of activities described in subsection 
(c), except that the total amount collected for a fiscal year may not 
be more than 105 percent of the total amount of the appropriations made 
for the fiscal year activities to be financed by fees.''.

SEC. 15. LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS FACILITY SAFETY.

    (a) Liquefied Natural Gas Facility Standards Update.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
                    (A) review the minimum operating and maintenance 
                standards for liquefied natural gas facilities, 
                including small scale liquefied natural gas facilities, 
                peak shaving facilities, and large-scale liquefied 
                natural gas facilities, prescribed under section 
                60103(d) of title 49, United States Code; and
                    (B) based on the review under subparagraph (A), 
                update the safety standards described in that paragraph 
                applicable to liquefied natural gas facilities to 
                provide for a risk-based regulatory approach.
            (2) Considerations.--In updating the minimum standards 
        under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall consider the report 
        prepared under subsection (d)(5).
            (3) Requirements.--The updates to the standards required 
        under this section shall, at a minimum, require operators, 
        consistent with recognized and generally accepted good 
        engineering practices--
                    (A) to develop and maintain written safety 
                information identifying hazards associated with--
                            (i) the processes of liquefied natural gas 
                        conversion, storage, and transport;
                            (ii) equipment used in the processes; and
                            (iii) technology used in the processes;
                    (B) to conduct a hazard assessment, including the 
                identification of potential sources of accidental 
                releases, along with reassessments periodically;
                    (C) to establish a system to respond to the 
                findings of a hazard assessment conducted under 
                subparagraph (B) that addresses prevention, mitigation, 
                and emergency response; and
                    (D) to train employees in operating procedures with 
                an emphasis on addressing hazards, using safe 
                practices, and carrying out emergency response 
                activities.
    (b) Liquefied Natural Gas Staffing and Expertise.--
            (1) Liquefied natural gas expertise.--Not later than 60 
        days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
        shall establish a division within the Office of Pipeline Safety 
        to ensure the safety and oversight of liquefied natural gas 
        facilities under section 60103 and 60111 of title 49, United 
        States Code, including small-scale liquefied natural gas 
        facilities, peak shaving facilities, and import or export 
        facilities.
            (2) Functions.--The Liquefied Natural Gas division shall be 
        responsible for--
                    (A) developing regulations and guidance materials 
                for liquefied natural gas facilities;
                    (B) conducting compliance reviews and inspections 
                of liquefied natural gas facilities under section 60103 
                of title 49, United States Code;
                    (C) participate in liquefied natural gas facility 
                incident investigations;
                    (D) participate in enforcing applicable Federal 
                statutes and regulations for the safety of liquefied 
                natural gas facilities;
                    (E) conduct education, training, and outreach 
                regarding liquefied natural gas facility safety;
                    (F) manage the agency's research and development 
                activities for liquefied natural gas facilities; and
                    (G) perform other functions consistent with section 
                60103 and 60111 of such title.
            (3) Staffing.--The Secretary shall employ personnel 
        necessary for carrying out the functions of the Liquefied 
        Natural Gas division set forth in paragraph (2) including--
                    (A) a deputy associate administrator; and
                    (B) adequate staffing and support staff positions, 
                including subject matter experts in liquefied natural 
                gas facilities who shall be dedicated to rulemaking 
                activities, subject matter experts in liquefied natural 
                gas facilities who shall perform inspection and 
                enforcement activities, and other necessary personnel 
                to support these activities.
            (4) LNG subject matter experts.--To satisfy the 
        requirements of paragraph (3), the Secretary may appoint 
        personnel who have such expertise or may train personnel to 
        develop such expertise through use of the Center of Excellence 
        for Liquefied Natural Gas Safety and Training.
            (5) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter until the 
        division is sufficiently staffed with LNG subject matter 
        experts, the Secretary shall report to the Committee on 
        Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
        House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the progress to 
        staff the division and any impediments to staffing.
    (c) Center of Excellence for Liquefied Natural Gas Safety and 
Training.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a Center 
        of Excellence for Liquefied Natural Gas Safety and Training (in 
        this subsection referred to as the ``Center'').
            (2) Functions.--The Center shall--
                    (A) promote, facilitate, and conduct--
                            (i) education;
                            (ii) training; and
                            (iii) research and technological 
                        development;
                    (B) be a repository of information on best 
                practices relating to, and expertise on, liquefied 
                natural gas facility operations;
                    (C) foster collaboration among regulators, 
                industry, and other stakeholders;
                    (D) promote process safety advancements for 
                liquefied natural gas export facilities and the 
                incorporation of risk-based principles into the 
                operation, management, and regulatory oversight of LNG 
                facilities; and
                    (E) other functions deemed appropriate by the 
                Secretary.
            (3) Bridge period.--Until the Center is operational and 
        able to meet the mission in paragraph (2), the Secretary may 
        enter into an agreement with an institution of higher education 
        or the LNG industry to provide education and training on the 
        safe operations of liquefied natural gas facilities, provided 
        that such period does not exceed 3 years.
            (4) Consultation.--When establishing the Center, the agency 
        may consult with--
                    (A) Federal regulatory agencies of jurisdiction, 
                including--
                            (i) the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
                        Safety Administration;
                            (ii) the Federal Energy Regulatory 
                        Commission;
                            (iii) the Department of Energy;
                            (iv) the U.S. Coast Guard; and
                            (v) the Maritime Administration;
                    (B) States and units of local government;
                    (C) liquefied natural gas facility operators; and
                    (D) other interested parties.
    (d) Liquefied Natural Gas Federal Advisory Committee.--
            (1) Establishment.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish, in 
        accordance with the requirements of the Federal Advisory 
        Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), a Liquefied Natural Gas Federal 
        Advisory Committee (in this subsection referred to as the 
        ``Committee'').
            (2) Duties.--The Committee shall--
                    (A) facilitate communication between liquefied 
                natural gas facility operators, public safety experts, 
                and Federal agencies on practices to ensure the safe 
                operation and maintenance of liquefied natural gas 
                facilities;
                    (B) provide the Secretary with timely information 
                about new liquefied natural gas facility technology and 
                safety practices and methodologies;
                    (C) provide a forum for the Secretary to provide 
                information on and to discuss the activities of the 
                Department of Transportation relating to liquefied 
                natural gas facility safety, and the policies 
                underlying such activities;
                    (D) advise the Secretary on how to promote, 
                facilitate, and conduct education, training, and 
                research on the industry best practices, industry 
                consensus standards, and expertise in liquefied natural 
                gas operations;
                    (E) advise the Secretary on how to recruit and 
                retain qualified personnel;
                    (F) advise the Secretary regarding the regulations 
                prescribed under section 60103 of title 49, United 
                States Code, and when updates to such regulations are 
                recommended; and
                    (G) advise the Secretary on other matters affecting 
                LNG safety, as the Secretary considers appropriate.
            (3) Meetings.--The Committee shall hold regular meetings, 
        not less than biannually, to discuss issues related to 
        liquefied natural gas pipeline facility safety.
            (4) Membership.--The Committee shall be composed of the 
        following members:
                    (A) Four individuals appointed by the Secretary to 
                represent the public, such as public safety experts 
                with knowledge of liquefied natural gas pipeline 
                facility safety, academics, or other qualified 
                individuals.
                    (B) Four individuals appointed by the Secretary to 
                represent States and units of local governments.
                    (C) Four individuals appointed by the Secretary to 
                represent the liquefied natural gas industry, two of 
                whom shall represent large-scale liquefied natural gas 
                facilities, one from a small-scale facility, and one 
                with peak shaving operations.
                    (D) Not less than one representative of the 
                following Federal regulatory agencies of jurisdiction:
                            (i) The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
                        Safety Administration.
                            (ii) The Maritime Administration.
                            (iii) The Federal Energy Regulatory 
                        Commission.
                            (iv) The Coast Guard.
            (5) Report to the secretary.--Not later than 2 years after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, the Committee shall--
                    (A) review regulations issued pursuant to section 
                60103(d) of title 49, United States Code for conformity 
                with industry standards that apply risk-based 
                principles for process safety practices; and
                    (B) provide a report and recommendation to the 
                Secretary on how to best align regulations with 
                industry standards that apply risk-based principles for 
                process safety practices.
            (6) Report to congress.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than 
        every 30 days thereafter until the date on which all members of 
        the Committee have been appointed, the Secretary shall submit a 
        report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
        the House of Representatives, the Committee on Energy and 
        Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on 
        Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate to update 
        Congress on the status of the Committee, the progress of 
        appointing members to the Committee, and the identities of 
        individuals appointed to the Committee.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Department of Transportation such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 16. UNUSUALLY SENSITIVE AREAS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall complete the 
revision required under section 19(b) of the PIPES Act of 2016 (49 
U.S.C. 60109 note).
    (b) Further Requirement.--In completing the revision described in 
subsection (a), the Secretary of Transportation shall use the following 
definitions:
            (1) Marine coastal water.--The term ``marine coastal 
        water'' means the territorial sea of the United States, the 
        Great Lakes and their connecting waters, the marine and 
        estuarine waters of the United States up to the head of tidal 
        influence, and the Exclusive Economic Zone as established by 
        Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983.
            (2) Coastal beach.--The term ``coastal beach'' means land 
        between high and low water marks in a marine coastal water.

SEC. 17. WORKFORCE.

    (a) Staffing.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment, the Secretary shall increase the number of full-time 
        equivalent employees (as compared to the number of positions on 
        the date of enactment of this Act) by--
                    (A) at least 8 full-time employees with subject 
                matter expertise in pipeline safety, pipeline 
                facilities, and pipeline systems to finalize 
                outstanding pipeline safety rulemakings and fulfill 
                mandates for the Office of Pipeline Safety of the 
                Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; 
                and
                    (B) at least 3 full-time attorneys with pipeline 
                industry of safety expertise in the Office of Chief 
                Counsel of the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety 
                Administration.
            (2) Pipeline inspection and enforcement personnel.--The 
        Secretary shall ensure that the number of positions for 
        pipeline inspection and enforcement personnel in the Office of 
        Pipeline Safety of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
        Administration does not fall below the following:
                    (A) 222 for fiscal year 2020.
                    (B) 233 for fiscal year 2021.
                    (C) 245 for fiscal year 2022.
                    (D) 258 for fiscal year 2023.
                    (E) 272 for fiscal year 2024.
    (b) Recruitment and Retention Authorities.--Not later than 30 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall request 
authority from the Office of Personnel Management to use incentives, as 
necessary, to recruit and retain a qualified workforce, including--
            (1) for inspection and enforcement personnel and subject 
        matter experts dedicated to rulemaking activities in the Office 
        of Pipeline Safety, including the Liquefied Natural Gas 
        division of the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety 
        Administration, as established under section 16(b)--
                    (A) special pay rates permitted under section 5305 
                of title 5, United States Code; and
                    (B) repayment of student loans accompanied by a 
                continued service agreement, permitted under section 
                5379 of title 5, United States Code; and
            (2) for the Deputy Associate Administrator of the Liquefied 
        Natural Gas division in the Office of Pipeline Safety, as 
        established under section 16(b), critical position pay 
        permitted under section 5377 of title 5, United States Code.
    (c) Report to Congress.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the 
        Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and the 
        Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
        Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate, a report that contains--
                    (A) the number of full-time personnel the agency 
                has hired to meet the requirements of subsection (a), 
                as well as the total number of personnel employed by 
                the Administrator;
                    (B) a description of the agency's efforts to comply 
                with subsection (b);
                    (C) a description of the personnel of the Liquefied 
                Natural Gas division in the Office of Pipeline Safety, 
                any impediments to hiring, and any personnel 
                constraints affecting the ability of the agency to 
                fulfill the authorities of such division; and
                    (D) any other details associated with the agency's 
                progress toward fulfilling the staffing levels and 
                pursuing the financial incentives as directed by this 
                section.
            (2) Updates to report.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        date on which the report is transmitted under paragraph (1) and 
        not later than every 90 days thereafter until all statutory 
        mandates under this section are met, the Administrator shall 
        transmit an updated report that describes the actions taken 
        since the previous report.

SEC. 18. NATIONWIDE INTEGRATED PIPELINE SAFETY REGULATORY DATABASE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to 
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report describing the 
resources necessary for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
Administration to establish the national integrated pipeline safety 
regulatory inspection database described in the report required under 
section 11(a) of the PIPES Act of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 60108 note).
    (b) Contents.--The report required to be submitted under subsection 
(a) shall include--
            (1) a description of the steps necessary for the Pipeline 
        and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and State 
        pipeline regulators to establish such database; and
            (2) a timeline for the completion of such database.

SEC. 19. REGULATORY UPDATES.

    (a) Office of Management and Budget Review of Regulations.--Not 
later than 5 days after the date on which an outstanding regulation has 
been under review by the Office of Management and Budget for more than 
90 days, and every 15 days thereafter until the regulation is published 
in the Federal Register, the Secretary of Transportation shall notify 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate that the outstanding regulation remains 
under review by the Office of Management and Budget.
    (b) Definition.--In this section, the term ``outstanding 
regulation'' means a regulation regarding pipeline facilities required 
under this Act or an Act enacted prior to the date of enactment of this 
Act for which a final rule has not been published in the Federal 
Register.

SEC. 20. CONSTRUCTION PROJECT APPROVALS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall issue such regulations as are 
necessary to require that before a distribution pipeline construction 
project begins, the plans for such project shall be approved by a 
professional engineer, a subject matter expert, or other qualified 
professional who possesses the necessary knowledge, experience, and 
skills regarding natural gas distribution systems, as determined by the 
Secretary.
    (b) Access to Records.--In issuing the regulations under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall ensure that the any individuals approving 
projects under subsection (a) are provided access to all relevant 
records and prior work plans needed to approve the safety of the 
construction project.
    (c) Application.--Section 60118(c)(1) of title 49, United States 
Code, shall not apply to a regulation issued under subsection (a).

SEC. 21. REPORT ON EMISSIONS.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall enter into 
an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study 
on technologies and measures that reduce the amount of natural gas 
released during venting and blowdowns of natural gas distribution 
systems and transmission pipelines.
    (b) Consultation.--In carrying out the study, the National Academy 
of Sciences may consult entities with expertise in the causes and 
effects of natural gas releases and the use of technologies or measures 
that prevent or mitigate releases of natural gas during venting and 
blowdowns of natural gas distribution systems and transmission 
pipelines.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date on 
        which the National Academy of Sciences initiates the study, the 
        National Academy of Sciences shall submit to the Committee on 
        Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
        House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
        technologies and measures described in subsection (a).
            (2) Contents.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
        shall include--
                    (A) an analysis of the amount of natural gas 
                released during venting and blowdowns of natural gas 
                distribution systems and transmission pipelines;
                    (B) an analysis of the environmental and health 
                impacts of releases of natural gas during such venting 
                and blowdowns; and
                    (C) an evaluation of pipeline technologies or 
                measures capable of safely and effectively reducing the 
                amount of natural gas released, including--
                            (i) an analysis of the environmental and 
                        health benefits resulting from lower natural 
                        gas releases as a result of using such 
                        technologies or measures;
                            (ii) an analysis of the economic value of 
                        the natural gas that is prevented from being 
                        released as a result of the technologies or 
                        measures;
                            (iii) an analysis of the cost of using such 
                        technologies or measures, including the cost to 
                        operators and any impacts on pipeline safety 
                        and reliability;
                            (iv) an analysis of factors that affect the 
                        feasibility and effectiveness of using such 
                        technologies and measures; and
                            (v) a determination of whether the benefits 
                        described in clauses (i) and (ii) outweigh the 
                        costs described in clause (iii).

SEC. 22. CHANGES IN CLASS LOCATION.

    Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Transportation shall issue final regulations that 
permit the use of integrity management program requirements, or 
elements thereof, to manage the safety of gas transmission pipeline 
segments that experience a change in class location. Such regulations 
shall be an alternative to the requirements of section 192.611 of title 
49, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment 
of this Act.
                                 <all>