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H.R.5175 / 116th Congress

Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Nov 19, 2019

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

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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.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1] · R–AR

Committees

  • Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  • Energy and Commerce Committee
40 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Introduced in House

  6. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.5175 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

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