House Bill 5175
116th Congress(2019-2020)
Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2019
Introduced
Introduced in House on Nov 19, 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
5175
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
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
- reauthorizes appropriations through FY2023 for pipeline safety activities;
- allows for limited safety-enhancing testing programs to evaluate innovative technologies and operational practices testing the safe operation of natural gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities;
- authorizes the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a confidential and non-punitive voluntary information-sharing system to encourage collaborative efforts to improve inspection information feedback and information-sharing on best practices, processes, and technology deployments with respect to such facilities;
- establishes a Liquefied Natural Gas division within the Office of Pipeline Safety of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to ensure the safety and oversight of liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, including small-scale LNG facilities, peak shaving facilities, and import or export facilities;
- creates a Center of Excellence for Liquefied Natural Gas Safety and Training;
- increases staffing levels in the PHMSA to hire additional personnel with safety expertise; and
- directs DOT to initiate 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.
November 19, 2019
11/20/2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
11/20/2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
11/19/2019
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.
11/19/2019
Introduced in House
Public Record
Record Updated
Oct 28, 2022 2:00:27 AM