Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]
In Committee
Summary
Strengthens federal pipeline safety and oversight. The bill would tighten which gathering and on‑site pipes count as regulated, create a confidential Voluntary Information Sharing (VIS) system, set an enforceable special‑permit process, raise penalties, require state excavation best practices, and authorize multi‑year funding for pipeline safety.
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- Pipeline operators would face a new special permit (waiver) program with public applications, an 18‑month uniform review period, and a GAO evaluation. Civil penalties for key violations would rise to $341,200 and $3.4 million for the listed offenses.
- States would need to adopt 14 specified leading practices for one‑call excavation and damage prevention. States must submit an initial report within 3 years on adoption and damage rates and then report every 2 years.
- A voluntary VIS would let operators, PHMSA, States, tribes, researchers, and others share confidential safety data under a 15‑member governing board with FOIA and litigation protections and annual public reporting to Congress.
*Would authorize roughly $217.8 million per year for FY2027–FY2031, about $1.1 billion in authorized funding over five years, increasing federal outlays during that period.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Pipeline safety funding 2027–2031
If enacted, the bill would authorize yearly pipeline safety funding for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. It would authorize $180.8 million per year from fees (including $9.0 million for section 12 activities and $77.0 million for grants), $30.0 million per year from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (including $3.0 million for section 12 activities and $13.0 million for grants), and $7.0 million per year for underground storage safety. These amounts would support PHMSA, State programs, and grants.
Broader criminal protection for pipelines
If enacted, the bill would expand the statute that forbids damaging pipeline facilities to also forbid impairing their operation and to cover facilities under construction that will be operated once finished. This would broaden criminal protection for pipeline infrastructure and related public safety.
State one‑call best practices
If enacted, each State would have to adopt 14 specified leading practices for one‑call (call‑before‑you‑dig) programs to cut excavation damage. The rules cover locate tickets, limits on exemptions, tolerance zones, hand‑digging and nonintrusive methods, white lining, marking new lines, and training. The Secretary must evaluate State programs and report to Congress within three years and then at least every two years, including damages per 1,000 one‑call tickets by State.
Confidential pipeline safety sharing
If enacted, the bill would create a confidential Voluntary Information‑Sharing System (VIS) for pipeline safety. Participation would be voluntary and the Secretary would appoint a 15‑member board within one year to run VIS and pick a third‑party data manager. VIS data could not be used for enforcement under chapter 601 and would be limited in court, with specific carveouts. The board would set rules about what data can be accepted and require operator authorization before accepting operator data.
New enforcement and permit procedures
If enacted, the bill would expand when a respondent is entitled to a formal hearing in enforcement cases by setting a $125,000 threshold for proposed compliance costs or civil penalties. The Secretary would have to publish public hearing protocols within one year and protect confidential information. The bill would also require special permit applications to be published and reviewed within 18 months and require reporting and a GAO assessment of the waiver program.
Narrower rules on gas piping coverage
If enacted, the bill would change the definition of regulated gas movement to exclude some rural gathering and certain short transfer or in‑plant piping. The exclusion would not apply to gathering through regulated gathering lines, and transfer piping must extend less than one mile outside a facility to qualify for the exclusion.
Higher civil fines for violations
If enacted, the bill would raise the maximum civil penalty caps in pipeline safety law. One cap would increase to $341,200 and the larger cap would increase to $3,412,000. These new caps would apply to violations covered by the statute and raise the maximum fines regulators may seek.
Agency funding and rulemaking tests
If enacted, the bill would make user fees in the Pipeline Safety Fund remain available until spent, letting PHMSA use fee balances without earlier expiration. It would also require that benefit, cost, and environmental analyses in safety rulemakings explicitly measure safety and economic benefits "within the United States." These changes would alter agency budgeting and how it measures benefits and costs.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]
TX • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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