Bills · S 2979
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 2979Transportation and Public Works
PHMSA Voluntary Information Sharing Act
INTRO OCT 7· LAST ACTION OCT 7
READING
18MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
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- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it tries to prevent pipeline accidents before they happen, which can have devastating consequences for communities and the environment. Currently, information about pipeline incidents or near-misses might not be widely shared among different companies for various reasons, including fear of penalties. This bill creates a safe space for companies to share that valuable data.
If this bill becomes law, it could lead to fewer pipeline leaks, ruptures, or explosions by allowing the industry to proactively learn from collective experiences and implement better safety measures. This could mean greater public safety, reduced environmental damage, and more reliable energy infrastructure. If it doesn't become law, the industry might continue to operate without a centralized, confidential system for sharing critical safety insights, potentially missing opportunities to prevent accidents and improve overall pipeline reliability.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes a confidential, nonpunitive voluntary information-sharing system (VIS) for pipeline safety data.
This provision creates a mechanism for pipeline operators to share sensitive safety information without fear of regulatory action, encouraging open communication to identify and address systemic issues.
PROVISION 02
Requires the establishment of a 15-member Governing Board composed of representatives from government, industry, and public safety advocacy groups.
This ensures diverse perspectives are included in overseeing the system, fostering a balanced approach to data collection, analysis, and the development of safety recommendations.
PROVISION 03
Mandates the VIS to follow recommendations from a specific 2016 report and aims to gather, evaluate, and quantify critical safety data.
This ensures the system is built upon existing, expert-developed guidelines and has a clear purpose of evidence-based safety improvement through data analysis.
PROVISION 04
Specifies the purpose of the VIS as a comprehensive system to share recommended remediation measures and lessons learned across the pipeline industry.
This focuses the system on practical outcomes, ensuring that shared information directly translates into actionable steps to enhance pipeline safety.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
R· Kansas
YRS IN OFFICE
29
BILLS LED
85
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 1 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSOCT 7
Introduced in Senate
OCT 7
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 2979
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedOct 7, 2025
Last actionOct 7, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED OCT 7, 2025
Senate BillS 2979Transportation and Public Works
PHMSA Voluntary Information Sharing Act
INTRODUCED OCT 7, 2025· LAST ACTION OCT 7, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
18 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
