Propane Accessibility and Regulatory Relief Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3949

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection.

Last Updated

2026-05-16T08:07:30Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 3949: Propane Accessibility and Regulatory Relief Act

Purpose

This legislation directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to exempt certain propane tanks from existing federal regulations under the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program, which aims to secure chemical facilities against potential security threats. The goal is to provide regulatory relief for propane storage.

Key Provisions

• The bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to implement exemptions from CFATS rules for any propane tank holding up to 126,000 pounds of propane.
• CFATS refers to the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards established under the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This introduces a new statutory exemption that overrides current CFATS applicability to the specified propane tanks, which were previously subject to these security regulations without such a broad carve-out.

Potential Impacts

• Government agencies: Reduces oversight responsibilities for the Department of Homeland Security regarding smaller propane storage facilities.
• Citizens and businesses: May lower compliance costs for propane suppliers, distributors, and users, potentially improving access and affordability for heating, cooking, and industrial uses.
• International relations: No direct effects identified in the bill.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Propane industry operators and facility owners storing tanks up to the specified capacity.
• The Department of Homeland Security, which administers CFATS.
• Consumers and businesses reliant on propane for energy needs.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• The bill grants explicit authority to the executive branch (via the Secretary) to modify regulatory application, potentially streamlining federal security rules without broader changes to the Homeland Security Act.
• It focuses on domestic regulatory relief and does not alter constitutional powers or international agreements.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10], Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection.
• 2025-06-12: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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.
• 2025-06-12: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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.
• 2025-06-12: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-12: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Propane Accessibility and Regulatory Relief Act — issued 2025-06-12 — PDF (2 pages)