A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Held at the desk.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Awaiting House
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
The PIPELINE Safety Act of 2025 aims to enhance the safety of pipeline transportation through various regulatory and technical updates. It focuses on increasing funding for gas and hazardous liquid safety, as follows well as operational expenses for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The bill addresses modernizing safety through new risk assessments, inspection protocols, and the evaluation of composite materials and emerging gases like hydrogen and carbon dioxide. It also incorporates federally recognized Indian Tribes into safety standards, reporting requirements, and inspection processes. Additionally, the act includes provisions for infrastructure grants, improved emergency response capabilities, and cybersecurity improvements.
Yes· 3 of 20
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill significantly expands the role of Tribal officials in pipeline safety oversight and emergency response coordination.
- Scored +7
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill directs the creation of a final rule to enhance surface cyber risk management for pipelines.
- Scored +6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill enhances pipeline safety through technical assistance, improved notification systems, and modernization grants.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
Operators face increased regulatory requirements and potential new administrative fees.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Safety Funding: The bill increases funding for gas and hazardous liquid safety for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, which can help enhance national safety standards (Sec. 101).
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Improved Risk-Based Inspections: The Secretary may allow risk-based inspections for in-service breakout tanks, provided safety is maintained or enhanced, requiring visual monitoring and secondary containment (Sec. 201).
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Enhanced Whistleblower Protections: The act expands protections for employees and agents of pipeline operators, including provisions for back pay with interest and compensation for special damages (Sec. 209).
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Greater Transparency and Public Access: The bill requires the publication of industry standards on a public website and mandates that the Secretary maintain a publicly available list of industry standards (Sec. 203).
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Improved Public Alert Systems: The Secretary is tasked with developing voluntary guidance to help operators coordinate with local and Tribal governments using existing public alert systems, such as mobile phone alerts, during emergencies (Sec. 507).
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Infrastructure Modernization Grants: The Secretary may provide grants to non-profit, community-owned utilities to repair or replace natural gas distribution systems, specifically supporting communities with limited investment capacity (Sec. 602).
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Increased Tribal Involvement in Safety: The bill amends various sections of title 49 to include "affected Indian Tribes" or "Tribal officials" in safety standards, reports, and inspections. This ensures that Tribal nations have a voice and oversight regarding pipeline safety on or near their lands (Section 603).
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Improved Access to Safety Information: Distribution system operators are required to make emergency response plans, distribution integrity management plans, and procedural manuals available to affected Indian Tribes. This provides communities with critical information regarding safety and operations (Section s 603(d)).
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Enhanced Transparency in Redactions: If the Administration redacts any part of a document provided to another person, they must now cite the specific statute that allows them to withhold that information (Section 604).
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Strengthened Pipeline Cybersecurity: The Secretary of Homeland Security is required to publish a final rule aimed at enhancing surface cyber risk management for pipelines (Section 606).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Regulatory Burdens for Operators: Changes to the definition of "transporting gas" exclude certain gathering lines and in-plant piping, which may affect how certain movements of gas are regulated (Sec. 213).
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Potential Impact of Alternative Maintenance Methods: While the bill allows for alternative methods of maintaining rights-of-way, such as reduced mowing, there is a requirement for the Inspector General to review these later to ensure they do not hinder risk assessment or emergency response (Sec. 214).
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Uncertainty Regarding Emerging Gas Standards: The bill mandates new studies and rules for hydrogen and carbon dioxide, meaning safety standards for these emerging gases are still being determined (Sec. 401, Sec. 402).
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New Administrative Fees: The Secretary is authorized to charge and collect fees for loan guarantees to cover administrative expenses, which may include costs for third-party consultants (Section 605).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill significantly expands the role of Tribal officials in pipeline safety oversight and emergency response coordination. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Grants prioritize communities with high poverty rates and low median wages to improve safety. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill provides increased grant shares for infrastructure projects in areas with populations under 50,000. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill expands whistleblower protections for employees and agents of pipeline operators. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Improved safety standards and infrastructure can prevent localized economic disruptions. Would business owners be better off under this? — Operators face increased regulatory requirements and potential new administrative fees.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill enhances pipeline safety through technical assistance, improved notification systems, and modernization grants. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill improves emergency response coordination and public alert systems for pipeline facilities. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill addresses gas gathering lines in rural areas and provides infrastructure grants for community utilities. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The act facilitates the study and integration of hydrogen into the energy grid. Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — Improved pipeline safety contributes to overall utility infrastructure stability.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates a new Office of Public Engagement to coordinate assistance and information dissemination to the public. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill allows for the authorization of State authorities to carry out risk-based integrated inspection programs.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides grants specifically for non-profit, community-owned utility systems to improve infrastructure. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Infrastructure modernization grants for community-owned utilities support local economic stability. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill funds various safety initiatives and research that may support technical and regulatory jobs.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill directs the creation of a final rule to enhance surface cyber risk management for pipelines.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds studies on hydrogen blending, carbon dioxide safety, and leak detection technologies. Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill includes requirements for more specific justifications for government document redactions.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill incorporates affected Indian Tribes into safety standards, reporting, and inspection processes. Does this make housing cost less? — Infrastructure upgrades to gas systems may prevent service disruptions in community housing.
- 5/4/2026
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 5/1/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 4/29/2026
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2109-2121; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S2109-2121)
- 2/11/2026
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-102.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 331.
- 10/21/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 10/6/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan
Todd YoungRepublican · Indiana