Pipeline Safety Engagement Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 5368

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-16: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Last Updated

2026-01-08T16:36:12Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Pipeline Safety Engagement Act of 2025 aims to improve public awareness and engagement on pipeline safety by renaming and restructuring an existing office within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). It focuses on proactive communication between government agencies and communities to promote safer pipeline operations and practices.

Key Provisions

• Renaming the Office: Within one year of the Act's enactment, the Secretary of Transportation must rename the "Community Liaison Services" (part of the Office of Pipeline Safety in the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or PHMSA) as the "Office of Public Engagement."
• Duties of the Office:
• Proactively engage with stakeholders, such as the public, pipeline operators, public safety groups, and state, local, and Tribal government officials, to raise awareness of pipeline safety practices.
• Encourage the use of safety programs and activities.
• Educate the public on pipeline safety rules and best practices.
• Help the public with questions about pipeline safety.
• Public Accessibility: All activities and materials produced by the Office must be made available to the public in an accessible format (e.g., easy to understand and reach).
• Retention of Roles: The Office will continue to include positions called "community liaisons" from the previous structure.
• Reporting Requirement: Within 18 months of enactment, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress detailing the implementation of these changes.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This Act primarily introduces an administrative rename of an existing division (Community Liaison Services) without creating a new entity. It formalizes and expands the office's duties to emphasize proactive public engagement and accessibility, which may build on prior informal roles but does not overhaul broader pipeline safety laws like the Pipeline Safety Act. No major regulatory or enforcement changes are made.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The DOT and PHMSA will undergo a minor organizational shift, potentially improving internal coordination for public outreach. This could lead to more efficient use of resources for safety communication, with the required report ensuring accountability to Congress.
• On Citizens: The public may benefit from clearer, more accessible information on pipeline safety, helping communities near pipelines better understand risks and report concerns, potentially reducing accidents through heightened awareness.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the Act focuses on domestic pipeline safety and U.S. agency operations.
• Overall, the changes are likely to enhance safety education without significant costs or disruptions.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Public and Communities: Direct beneficiaries through improved access to safety information and support.
• Pipeline Operators: Affected by increased engagement requirements, which could encourage better compliance with safety standards.
• Public Safety Organizations: Involved in collaborative efforts to promote safety programs.
• State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Key partners in outreach, gaining tools to address local pipeline concerns.
• U.S. Department of Transportation (including PHMSA): Responsible for implementation and reporting.
• Congress: Receives oversight via the implementation report.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: This is a straightforward directive to a federal agency, aligning with existing authority under transportation laws. It imposes no new burdens on private entities and avoids litigation risks by focusing on internal reorganization.
• Constitutional: No significant issues, as it involves executive branch administration without infringing on states' rights or individual liberties; it supports federal oversight of interstate commerce (pipelines).
• Political: Represents a bipartisan push for enhanced public safety communication, potentially appealing to lawmakers focused on infrastructure and environmental protection. The dual committee referral (Transportation and Infrastructure; Energy and Commerce) indicates cross-jurisdictional interest in energy policy.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-16: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
• 2025-09-15: 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.
• 2025-09-15: 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.
• 2025-09-15: Introduced in House
• 2025-09-15: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Pipeline Safety Engagement Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-15 — PDF (3 pages)