Rep. Weber Introduces Bill to Raise Pipeline Fines and Create Safety Data Sharing System
The Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026 is in the early stages of the legislative process. A subcommittee forwarded the bill to the full House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce on June 23, 2026. These committees must now review the bill before it can move forward.
This is a standard update to existing safety laws that usually gets some support from both parties, but it must still pass through several committees.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Small pipeline operators face higher potential civil penalties (up to $341,200 per violation, nearly double the current cap), which increases their financial risk if they violate safety rules. However, they also gain the right to formal hearings when facing penalties of $125,000 or more, and the voluntary information-sharing system could help smaller operators learn from industry-wide safety data without legal exposure.
“striking ``$200,000'' and inserting ``$341,200''; and (2) striking ``$2,000,000'' and inserting ``$3,412,000''”
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
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.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee released a discussion draft of the Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026. The legislation would extend PHMSA programs through fiscal 2031 and establish a confidential voluntary information-sharing system for safety data.
A House subcommittee held a hearing on the Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026. While Republicans praised the bill's focus on safety data sharing and increased fines, Democrats warned the proposal lacks sufficient environmental protections and bipartisan buy-in.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026
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