[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5301 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5301
To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide enhanced safety in
pipeline transportation, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 11, 2025
Mr. Graves (for himself, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Mr. Webster of
Florida, and Ms. Titus) 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; DEFINITION.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Promoting
Innovation in Pipeline Efficiency and Safety Act of 2025'' or the
``PIPES Act of 2025''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents; definition.
Sec. 2. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Workforce development.
Sec. 5. Regulatory updates.
Sec. 6. Incorporation by reference.
Sec. 7. Inspection activity reporting.
Sec. 8. Technical safety standards committees.
Sec. 9. Sense of Congress on PHMSA engagement prior to rulemaking
activities.
Sec. 10. Office of Public Engagement.
Sec. 11. Class location changes.
Sec. 12. Pipeline operating status.
Sec. 13. Rights-of-way management.
Sec. 14. Study on composite materials for pipelines.
Sec. 15. Competitive Academic Agreement Program.
Sec. 16. Geohazard mitigation study.
Sec. 17. Special permit program.
Sec. 18. Excavation damage prevention.
Sec. 19. Integrity management study.
Sec. 20. Hydrogen study.
Sec. 21. Penalty for causing a defect in or disrupting operation of
pipeline infrastructure.
Sec. 22. Civil penalties.
Sec. 23. Liquefied natural gas regulatory coordination.
Sec. 24. Pipeline safety voluntary information-sharing system.
Sec. 25. Carbon dioxide pipelines.
Sec. 26. Opportunity for formal hearing.
Sec. 27. State pipeline safety grants reporting.
Sec. 28. Disclosure of safety information assessment.
Sec. 29. Assessment of certain pipeline safety definitions.
Sec. 30. Report assessing the costs of pipeline failures.
Sec. 31. Study on localized emergency alert system for pipeline
facilities incidents.
Sec. 32. Maximum allowable operating pressure.
(c) State Defined.--In this Act, the term ``State'' has the meaning
given such term in section 60101(a) of title 49, United States Code.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Gas and Hazardous Liquid.--Section 60125 of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting the
following:
``(a) Gas and Hazardous Liquid.--
``(1) In general.--From fees collected under section 60301,
there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to
carry out section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of
2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 107-355) and the
provisions of this chapter relating to gas and hazardous
liquid--
``(A) $181,400,000 for fiscal year 2026, of which--
``(i) $9,000,000 shall be used to carry out
section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement
Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law
107-355); and
``(ii) $73,000,000 shall be used for making
grants;
``(B) $189,800,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which--
``(i) $9,000,000 shall be used to carry out
section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement
Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law
107-355); and
``(ii) $75,000,000 shall be used for making
grants;
``(C) $198,200,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which--
``(i) $9,000,000 shall be used to carry out
section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement
Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law
107-355); and
``(ii) $77,000,000 shall be used for making
grants; and
``(D) $206,600,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which--
``(i) $9,000,000 shall be used to carry out
section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement
Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law
107-355); and
``(ii) $79,000,000 shall be used 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 established by section 9509(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 to carry out section 12 of the Pipeline
Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public
Law 107-355) and the provisions of this chapter relating to
hazardous liquid--
``(A) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, of which--
``(i) $2,000,000, pursuant to the authority
in section 12(f) of the Pipeline Safety
Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note;
Public Law 107-355), shall be used to carry out
section 12 of such Act; and
``(ii) $11,000,000 shall be used for making
grants;
``(B) $30,500,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which--
``(i) $2,000,000, pursuant to the authority
in section 12(f) of the Pipeline Safety
Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note;
Public Law 107-355), shall be used to carry out
section 12 of such Act; and
``(ii) $11,500,000 shall be used for making
grants;
``(C) $31,000,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which--
``(i) $2,000,000, pursuant to the authority
in section 12(f) of the Pipeline Safety
Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note;
Public Law 107-355), shall be used to carry out
section 12 of such Act; and
``(ii) $12,000,000 shall be used for making
grants; and
``(D) $31,500,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which--
``(i) $2,000,000, pursuant to the authority
in section 12(f) of the Pipeline Safety
Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note;
Public Law 107-355), shall be used to carry out
section 12 of such Act; and
``(ii) $12,500,000 shall be used for making
grants.
``(3) Underground natural gas storage facility safety
account.--From fees collected under section 60302, there is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out
section 60141 $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through
2029.
``(4) Recruitment and retention.--From amounts made
available to the Secretary under paragraphs (1) and (2), the
Secretary shall use, to carry out section 104(a) of the PIPES
Act of 2025 and section 102(c) of the Protecting our
Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020
(Public Law 116-260)--
``(A) $3,400,000 for fiscal year 2026, of which--
``(i) $2,890,000 shall be from amounts made
available under paragraph (1)(A); and
``(ii) $510,000 shall be from amounts made
available under paragraph (2)(A);
``(B) $5,100,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which--
``(i) $4,335,000 shall be from amounts made
available under paragraph (1)(B); and
``(ii) $765,000 shall be from amounts made
available under paragraph (2)(B);
``(C) $6,800,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which--
``(i) $5,780,000 shall be from amounts made
available under paragraph (1)(C); and
``(ii) $1,020,000 shall be from amounts
made available under paragraph (2)(C); and
``(D) $8,500,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which--
``(i) $7,225,000 shall be from amounts made
available under paragraph (1)(D); and
``(ii) $1,275,000 shall be from amounts
made available under paragraph (2)(D).''.
(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 (3) and inserting the following:
``(1) $31,681,000 for fiscal year 2026.
``(2) $32,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.
``(3) $33,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.
``(4) $34,000,000 for fiscal year 2029.''.
(c) One-Call Notification Programs.--Section 6107 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``$1,058,000 for each of
fiscal years 2021 through 2023'' and inserting ``$2,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2026 through 2029''.
(d) Emergency Response Grants.--Section 60125(b)(2) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2021 through
2023'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2026 through 2029''.
(e) Pipeline Safety Information Grants to Communities.--Section
60130(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking
``$2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2023 to carry out
this section.'' and inserting the following: ``, to carry out this
section, the following:
``(A) $2,250,000 for fiscal year 2026.
``(B) $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2027.
``(C) $2,750,000 for fiscal year 2028.
``(D) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2029.''.
(f) Improving Technical Assistance.--Section 60130(c)(2) of title
49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``each fiscal year, the Secretary shall
award $1,000,000'' and inserting ``, the Secretary shall
award''; and
(2) by striking the period at the end and inserting the
following: ``the following amounts:
``(A) $1,250,000 for fiscal year 2026.
``(B) $1,500,000 for fiscal year 2027.
``(C) $1,750,000 for fiscal year 2028.
``(D) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2029.''.
(g) Damage Prevention Programs.--Section 60134(i) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended in the first sentence by striking
``$1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2023'' and inserting
``$2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029''.
(h) Pipeline Integrity Program.--Section 12(f) of the Pipeline
Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note) is amended--
(1) by striking ``$3,000,000'' and inserting
``$2,000,000''; and
(2) by striking ``2021 through 2023'' and inserting ``2026
through 2029''.
(i) Securing Systems Grants.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 601 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end of the following:
``Sec. 60144. Safe Energy for Communities Updating and Replacing
Infrastructure for Natural Gas Systems grants
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may provide grants to assist
publicly owned natural gas distribution pipeline systems to--
``(1) advance the safe delivery of energy through reducing
the risk profile of existing municipal and community-owned
natural gas distribution infrastructure that contains high-risk
or leaking pipelines that may result in fatalities, injuries,
or significant damages to property resulting from unintentional
natural gas leaks; and
``(2) reduce monetary losses to the utility.
``(b) Eligible Entities.--An entity eligible to receive a grant
under this section is a natural gas distribution system utility owned
and operated by a--
``(1) community;
``(2) municipality;
``(3) city or township;
``(4) county; or
``(5) Federally-recognized Tribal government.
``(c) Applications.--An eligible entity desiring a grant under this
section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in
such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require that directly relates to technical aspects of the grant
application, including a description of the projects or activities
proposed to be funded by the grant.
``(d) Uses.--A grant provided under this section may be used to
repair, rehabilitate, or replace a natural gas distribution pipeline
system or portions of a natural gas distribution pipeline system.
``(e) Considerations.--The Secretary shall establish procedures for
awarding grants under this section that take into consideration--
``(1) the risk profile of the existing pipeline system
operated by the applicant, including the presence of pipe prone
to leakage, and how the project would improve the safe delivery
of energy;
``(2) the financial ability of the utility to fund the
project in the absence of Federal financial assistance;
``(3) the ability for the project to reduce monetary losses
to the utility by improving system reliability, reducing lost
natural gas from leaking pipe, or reducing costs associated
with maintenance and repair activities; and
``(4) the legal authority and capability of the applicant
to carry out the project.
``(f) Prioritization.--In making grants for projects eligible under
this section, the Secretary shall prioritize grants for projects that--
``(1) serve a rural area, as defined in section 22907(g)(2)
or an economically distressed community that meets the
eligibility criteria described in section 301 of the Public
Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3161); or
``(2) address the highest safety concerns based on the risk
profile and condition of the existing pipeline system as
outlined in the operator's distribution integrity management
plan, factoring in relevant data, leak statistics, and risk
analysis.
``(g) Limitations.--
``(1) Awards to a single utility.--The Secretary may not
award more than 12.5 percent of the total amount made available
in any fiscal year to carry out this section to a single
eligible entity described in subsection (b).
``(2) Administrative expenses.--Not more than 2 percent of
the amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (i)(1) for a
fiscal year may be used by the Secretary for the administrative
costs of carrying out this section.
``(h) Cost Sharing.--The total amount awarded for a project under
this section shall be not less than 90 percent of the total eligible
project costs described in subsection (d).
``(i) Funding.--
``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section
$150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2029, to
remain available until expended.
``(2) Requirement.--Any amounts used to carry out this
section--
``(A) shall be derived from the General Fund of the
Treasury; and
``(B) shall not be derived from user fees collected
under section 60301.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 601 of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``60144. Safe Energy for Communities Updating and Replacing
Infrastructure for Natural Gas Systems
grants.''.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
Section 60101(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (8)(B) by inserting ``and carbon dioxide''
after ``hazardous liquid'';
(2) in paragraph (18) by inserting ``, a carbon dioxide
pipeline facility,'' after ``gas pipeline facility'';
(3) in paragraph (19) by inserting ``, transporting carbon
dioxide,'' after ``transporting gas'';
(4) in paragraph (24) by inserting ``, carbon dioxide,''
after ``a gas'';
(5) in paragraph (25) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(6) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5),
(6), (9), (7), (10), (8), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16),
(17), (18), (19), (23), (24), (25), (20), (21), (22), and (26)
as paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (11), (12), (13), (14),
(15), (16), (17), (18), (19), (20), (21), (23), (24), (25),
(27), (28), (29), (30), (32), (33), and (35), respectively, and
transferring the paragraphs so as to appear in numerical order;
(7) by inserting before paragraph (4), as so redesignated,
the following:
``(1) `carbon dioxide' means a product stream consisting of
more than 50 percent carbon dioxide molecules in any state of
matter except solid;
``(2) `carbon dioxide pipeline facility'--
``(A) means a pipeline, a right of way, a facility,
a building, or equipment used, or intended to be used,
in transporting carbon dioxide or treating carbon
dioxide during the transportation of such carbon
dioxide; but
``(B) does not include any storage facility,
piping, or equipment covered by the exclusion in
section 60102(i)(3)(B)(ii);
``(3) `de-identified' means the process by which all
information that is likely to establish the identity of the
specific persons, organizations, or entities submitting
reports, data, or other information is remo