Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Standard; amend penalties.

Higher pipeline safety fines for utilities

Effective upon passage, the law raises potential pipeline safety fines for utilities regulated by Mississippi’s Public Service Commission. It covers violations of safety standards adopted by both federal transportation officials and the state commission. Fines remain capped at $1,000 per violation for each day it continues. For related violations, the total cap follows federal limits instead of the former $200,000 state cap. The commission brings complaints to chancery court, with an opportunity for a hearing. The court or commission must consider business size, the violation’s seriousness, and good-faith efforts to comply after notice. Settlements require court approval. Final fines can be collected through court judgments or deducted from state payments owed to violators, and go to Mississippi’s Treasury.