Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1182
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-10: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T16:53:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2025 aims to improve the safety and regulatory oversight of cylinders (pressure vessels used to transport hazardous materials) manufactured by foreign entities for use in U.S. commerce. It requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue new regulations to strengthen approval processes, inspections, and compliance checks for these foreign manufacturers, reducing risks associated with substandard or non-compliant products.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: Establishes terms like "cylinder" (specific types regulated under federal transportation rules), "foreign manufacturer of cylinders" (FMOC, entities making cylinders abroad for U.S. hazardous material transport), and "in good standing" (FMOCs approved and compliant for at least three years with relevant U.S. regulations).
- Approval Periods: Limits FMOC approvals to one year by default; extends to five years if the FMOC attests no cylinders are barred from U.S. entry under trade laws, certifies accurate information and ongoing updates, and is deemed in good standing.
- Inspections and Penalties: Allows suspension or termination of approvals if FMOCs obstruct inspections (defined as actions that hinder or impede them) or misrepresent information. Permits cost recovery for foreign inspections, including travel and time.
- Reevaluation Process: Creates a mechanism for interested parties (e.g., competitors or safety advocates) to petition for review of an FMOC's approval if they provide evidence of inaccurate, fraudulent, or changed information from the manufacturer.
- Public Notice: Requires publishing FMOC approval applications on the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) website with 30 days for public comments before approval.
- Enhanced Application Vetting: Mandates FMOCs to answer questions about past civil penalties, unpaid fines, inclusion on government restriction lists (e.g., Do Not Pay Initiative for federal debtors, Military End User List for export controls, or antidumping duty orders), and criminal findings related to U.S. laws. Approvals can be denied based on responses.
- Public Listing: Requires PHMSA to annually publish and maintain an online list of approved FMOCs and their approval durations.
- Inspection Revisions: Updates regulations to allow annual foreign facility inspections for cause, treat refusals as loss of good standing, and enable requests for production records or random testing.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces time-limited approvals (previously indefinite under 49 CFR § 107.807), shifting from perpetual to renewable certifications with stricter criteria for extensions.
- Adds mandatory public notice and comment periods for applications, promoting transparency not explicitly required before.
- Expands vetting by requiring disclosures on penalties, trade restrictions, and security lists, allowing denials based on these—beyond prior focus on basic manufacturing standards.
- Establishes a formal petition process for reevaluations and enhances inspection authority (e.g., annual checks, cost recovery), which were not as robust in existing rules.
- Clarifies that the law does not block harmonization with international standards, preserving flexibility under broader transportation laws.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases workload for the Department of Transportation (DOT) and PHMSA, including rulemaking (within one year for most provisions, 18 months for inspections), processing petitions, conducting more inspections, and maintaining public lists—potentially requiring additional resources for foreign travel and enforcement.
- Citizens: Enhances public safety by ensuring foreign cylinders meet U.S. standards for hazardous material transport (e.g., gases like propane or chemicals), potentially reducing accident risks in shipping, storage, or use.
- International Relations: May strain ties with countries hosting non-compliant FMOCs through stricter approvals and inspections, but supports U.S. trade enforcement by aligning with existing laws like the Tariff Act (barring forced labor products) and export controls—could affect global supply chains for industrial gases without disrupting harmonized standards.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Foreign Manufacturers (FMOCs): Face stricter approval hurdles, shorter certification periods, and higher compliance costs, potentially limiting market access to the U.S.
- U.S. Government Entities: DOT and PHMSA gain expanded authority and responsibilities for oversight, inspections, and public engagement.
- Interested Parties and Public: Importers, domestic competitors, safety organizations, and citizens can influence approvals via comments and petitions, increasing accountability.
- Industry Users: Companies transporting hazardous materials (e.g., in energy, chemicals, or medical sectors) benefit from safer, more reliable cylinders but may see supply cost increases.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens enforcement under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. Chapter 51) by integrating trade, security, and penalty checks, potentially leading to more denials or suspensions; allows harmonization with international agreements, avoiding conflicts with World Trade Organization rules.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges, but enhanced federal oversight of imports aligns with Congress's commerce clause authority; public comment requirements support due process principles.
- Political: Reflects bipartisan priorities on supply chain security and safety amid concerns over foreign manufacturing (e.g., forced labor, dumping), possibly influencing U.S.-China trade dynamics; promotes transparency to build public trust in regulatory processes without overt protectionism.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12]
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Taylor, David [R-OH-2], Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-10: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2025-06-09: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-06-09: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2552-2553)
- 2025-06-09: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2552-2553)
- 2025-06-09: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1182.
- 2025-06-09: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2552-2554)
- 2025-06-09: Mr. Ezell moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-06-05: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 110.
- 2025-06-05: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-141.
- 2025-06-05: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-141.
- 2025-02-26: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 2025-02-26: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-02-26: Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Discharged
- 2025-02-12: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- 2025-02-11: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Bill Versions
- Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-09 — PDF (10 pages)
- Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-11 — PDF (9 pages)
- Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-10 — PDF (9 pages)
- Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-05 — PDF (12 pages)