House Bill 5120
116th Congress(2019-2020)
SAFER Pipelines Act of 2019
Introduced
Introduced in House on Nov 15, 2019
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
5120
Congress
116
Policy Area
Transportation and Public Works
Transportation and Public Works
Primary focus of measure is all aspects of transportation modes and conveyances, including funding and safety matters; Coast Guard; infrastructure development; travel and tourism. Measures concerning water resources and navigation projects may fall under Water Resources Development policy area.
No House votes have been held for this bill.
Summary
Safe, Accountable, Fair, and Environmentally Responsible Pipelines Act of 2019 or the SAFER Pipelines Act of 2019
This bill addresses pipeline safety with respect to natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines.
Among other things, the bill
- reauthorizes appropriations through FY2023 for pipeline safety activities;
- prioritizes assessment methods for transmission pipelines that can provide a greater level of safety than direct assessment, including the use of internal inspection devices or pressure testing;
- makes it mandatory for each operator of a transmission pipeline facility in a high consequence area to install automatic or remote shutoff valves;
- directs owners and operators of gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities to make critical operational information available to surrounding communities and first responders;
- increases civil penalties for violations and revises the criminal penalty standard from knowingly and willfully to knowingly or recklessly;
- requires advanced leak-detection that can identify leak locations and amounts released on gas pipelines; and
- directs the Department of Transportation to finalize a rule on gas gathering lines.
12/17/2020
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 545.
12/17/2020
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
12/17/2020
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 116-661, Part I.
11/20/2019
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 32 - 26.
11/20/2019
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
11/20/2019
Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Discharged.
11/18/2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
11/18/2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
11/15/2019
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.
11/15/2019
Introduced in House
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:44:06 PM