As of press time, the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce had voted 41–8 to advance H.R. 9338 to the full House via an amendment in the nature of a substitute. This is the Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026.
In September 2025, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed H.R. 5301, which is the Promoting Innovation in Pipeline Efficiency and Safety (PIPES) Act of 2025. Then in April 2026, the U.S. Senate passed S. 2975, which is the PIPELINE Safety Act of 2025, by unanimous consent.
The Damage Prevention Action Center (DPAct) applauds the Energy and Commerce Committee’s action as an important step toward strengthening America’s underground infrastructure safety and damage prevention framework. DPAct urges Congress to build on the bipartisan consensus reflected in the House committee vote and the Senate-passed legislation.
Sarah K. Magruder Lyle, executive director of DPAct, stated: “H.R. 9338 strengthens state damage prevention programs by limiting exemptions for the 811 process, encouraging greater use of GIS technology and improved enforcement and reporting, and represents meaningful progress to keep American communities safe and connected. These reforms will help prevent damage to the critical buried infrastructure on which all Americans rely. We urge the full House to pass the bill and Congress to complete its work.”