Bill · S. 2979· Senate(119-S-2979)
PHMSA Voluntary Information Sharing Act
- Introduced
- 10/7/2025
- Last activity
- 10/7/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Jerry Moran
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "PHMSA Voluntary Information Sharing Act," directs the Secretary of Transportation to create a voluntary, confidential information-sharing system for pipeline safety. The system is intended to encourage the exchange of data regarding gas transmission, gas distribution, liquefied natural gas facilities, underground natural gas storage, and hazardous liquid pipelines. To manage this, a Governing Board will be established to provide oversight, supported by a Program Manager and specialized Issue Analysis Teams. A Third-Party Data Manager will be appointed to handle the de-identification and security of the submitted data. The system aims to share safety lessons and remediation measures across the industry without the fear of punishment. Ultimately, the goal is to improve the overall safety of pipeline facilities through shared intelligence.
Yes
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
The bill establishes a system to share safety data to improve the safety and integrity of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines.
Would union members be better off under this?+3
The bill specifically includes nonprofit employee labor organizations as potential stakeholders in the governing board.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+1
The bill creates a nonpunitive environment that may help businesses improve safety protocols without fear of immediate enforcement.
The opposite
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?-4
The bill exempts certain nonpublic information obtained via the system from Freedom of Information Act requirements.
Does this change how police departments operate?-2
The bill limits the ability of the information gathered to be used as evidence in various legal proceedings and enforcement actions.
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?-1
The bill restricts the use of certain safety information as evidence in legal proceedings which could impact infrastructure oversight.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Pipeline Safety: The system aims to gather and evaluate critical safety data to share recommended remediation measures and lessons learned across the industry to improve safety (Section 2(b)(3)).
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Nonpunitive Environment: By establishing a confidential and nonpunitive system, the bill encourages the sharing of data that might otherwise be withheld (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Protection of Sensitive Data: The bill requires a Third-Party Data Manager to de-identify, store, and manage safety data to maintain its security (Section 2(f)(3)(C)).
-
Confidentiality Protections: The Act mandates that accepted information be kept confidential and protects it from disclosure under most other laws (Section 2(j)(1)).
-
Legal Protections for Participants: Nonpublic information obtained through the system cannot be used as evidence in Federal, State, local, Tribal, or private litigation or to initiate enforcement actions against operators (Section 2(l)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Limited Use of Information for Legal Action: Because the information is protected from being used as evidence in litigation or enforcement actions, it may be unavailable for certain legal proceedings, except in cases involving criminal violations or information required to be reported under specific regulations (Section 2(l)(1) and (3)).
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Exemption from FOIA: Nonpublic information obtained from the system by the Secretary or the Administrator is exempt from Freedom of Information Act requirements (Section 2(k)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5Improves Roads And Bridges-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency-4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Union Workers+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform-2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+1
- 10/7/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois