Sponsor
The bill trades greater flexibility for state and local agencies to use risk-based, resource-focused regulation (reducing costs and concentrating oversight) against increased variation, regulatory uncertainty, and the risk of inconsistent enforcement that could weaken safety in some areas.
Regulators (federal/state/local) can prioritize oversight and enforcement on higher-risk transportation areas, potentially improving public safety outcomes without requiring more resources.
State and local transportation agencies can adopt risk-based standards that reduce unnecessary compliance burdens and let agencies focus limited resources where they matter most.
Transportation operators and contractors can lower compliance and operational costs by using proportionate, risk-informed practices instead of one-size-fits-all requirements.
Transportation workers and operators that work across state lines may face reduced uniformity of standards and confusion because jurisdictions can adopt different risk-based rules.
Transportation workers and localities could experience weaker enforcement in lower-risk areas if risk-based discretion is applied inconsistently, potentially raising safety risks.
Transportation industry participants and federal staff may face greater regulatory uncertainty because decisionmaking discretion is shifted to the Secretary and implementing agencies.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to ensure standards under 49 U.S.C. § 60102 permit risk-based approaches to the maximum extent practicable.
Senator · R-UT
Official title: Amend title 49, United States Code, to protect the use of risk-based approaches by owners and operators of certain pipeline facilities, and for other purposes.
Introduced August 1, 2025 by John R. Curtis · Last progress August 1, 2025
Requires the Secretary of Transportation to allow risk-based approaches “to the maximum extent practicable” when prescribing standards under 49 U.S.C. § 60102, and gives the Act a short title. It places a procedural directive on the Secretary to permit use of risk-based concepts in applicable standards but does not create new funding, penalties, or regulatory substantive requirements beyond that directive.