H.R. 5120 — SAFER Pipelines Act of 2019

Summary

Safe, Accountable, Fair, and Environmentally Responsible Pipelines Act of 2019 or the SAFER Pipelines Act of 2019

This bill addresses natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines safety.

Among other things, the bill

reauthorizes pipeline safety activities through FY2023;
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;
directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to finalize a rule on gas gathering lines; and
authorizes DOT to establish a confidential and nonpunitive voluntary information-sharing system to improve natural gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipeline safety.

H.R. 3432Safer Pipelines Act of 2019
2019-11-20Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
Related
H.R. 4700Pipeline Safety Act of 2019
2019-10-17Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
Related

2019-11-15
Introduced in House
2019-11-15
Introduced in House
2019-11-15
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.
2019-11-15
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.
2019-11-18
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
2019-11-18
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
2019-11-20
Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Discharged.
2019-11-20
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
2019-11-20
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 32 - 26.
2020-12-17
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 116-661, Part I.
2020-12-17