Bill · H.R. 3796· House(119-HR-3796)
SAT Act
- Introduced
- 6/6/2025
- Last activity
- 6/7/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- Sponsored by
- Nicholas Begich
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Safety from Aerial Technology Act" or the "SAT Act," seeks to amend title 49 of the United States Code. It directs the Secretary of Transportation to authorize specific technologies for pipeline inspections. Specifically, it allows for the use of unmanned aircraft systems and satellites. These tools would be used to inspect surface conditions on or adjacent to pipeline rights-of-way. The bill aims to update how owners and operators fulfill their inspection requirements.
Yes
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
The bill provides pipeline owners and operators more efficient technological options for meeting inspection requirements.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+3
The use of advanced aerial and satellite technology may lead to more efficient and accurate monitoring of pipeline surface conditions.
Does this give the federal government more power?+2
The bill expands federal authority by directing the Secretary of Transportation to authorize specific inspection technologies.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Modernized Inspection Methods: The Secretary of Transportation shall allow the use of unmanned aircraft systems and satellites to inspect surface conditions on or adjacent to each pipeline right-of-way (Section 2, Subsection f, Paragraph 1). This provides owners or operators with new technological options for fulfilling their inspection requirements.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Regulatory Compliance Requirements: Owners or operators using unmanned aircraft systems or satellites must still operate those systems in accordance with existing laws and regulations (Section 2, Subsection f, Paragraph 2). This means the use of new technology does not exempt them from following current rules regarding those specific systems.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- 6/7/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- 6/6/2025
- 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.
- Introduced in House