S 2979119th CongressIn Committee

PHMSA Voluntary Information Sharing Act

Introduced: Oct 7, 2025

Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS] (R-Kansas)

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill, titled the PHMSA Voluntary Information Sharing Act, would require the Secretary of Transportation to create a confidential, nonpunitive voluntary information-sharing system (VIS) for pipeline safety data. The VIS aims to improve safety by collecting and analyzing pipeline data and sharing remediation lessons across the industry, while keeping submitted information confidential and de-identified when appropriate. It covers gas transmission and distribution pipelines, LNG facilities, underground natural gas storage, and hazardous liquid pipelines. The system would be governed by a 15-member Governing Board, with a program manager (the PHMSA Administrator), a Third-Party Data Manager to handle data protection and analytics, and Issue Analysis Teams to study specific safety topics. Data shared is voluntary, with strong confidentiality protections and limited exceptions for enforcement or required reporting. The bill also provides for funding and annual reporting to Congress. In short, the bill seeks to institutionalize a confidential data-sharing ecosystem that helps identify safety issues and disseminate best practices, while protecting the identity of data providers and limiting use of the data for enforcement or discovery.

Key Points

1VIS purpose and scope
2- Establishes a confidential, nonpunitive voluntary information-sharing system (VIS) to gather and share pipeline safety data and lessons learned, intended to improve safety across gas transmission, gas distribution, LNG facilities, underground LNG storage, and hazardous liquid pipelines.
3- Uses a governance structure and processes aligned with a 2016 Pipeline Safety Information-Sharing framework.
4Governance and management
5- Governing Board: 15 members representing Federal/State pipeline safety, industry, and public safety advocacy groups; includes at least 1 pipeline industry representative and at least 1 public-interest representative.
6- Co-chairs: Administrator, a pipeline-industry representative, and a public-interest representative.
7- Program Manager: PHMSA Administrator (or designee) responsible for day-to-day management.
8- Third-Party Data Manager: A separate entity appointed by the Board to handle data protection, de-identification, storage, analysis, and reporting.
9Issue Analysis Teams
10- The Board can establish one or more Issue Analysis Teams of pipeline safety experts (with potential public-interest representation) to analyze data on specific topics and report back to the Board.
11Data handling and confidentiality
12- Data submitted to the VIS is voluntary and kept confidential; nonpublic information is protected from disclosure under the VIS framework.
13- De-identified information may be disclosed with Governing Board approval to improve safety.
14- Public reports may include de-identified information to illustrate issues and findings.
15Information categories and use
16- Data may include pipeline integrity risk analyses, accident/near-miss lessons, process and technology deployment practices, and survey data, among other relevant information identified by the Board.
17- Data accepted for the VIS must relate to issues/topics identified by the Board for analysis.
18Legal and enforcement protections
19- Nonpublic VIS information is exempt from FOIA and generally not admissible in litigation or discovery, with narrow exceptions (e.g., criminal evidence, data required to be reported under other laws, or information obtained outside the VIS).
20Funding and implementation
21- Requires sustainable funding, including exploring public-private partnerships.
22- May provide up to an additional $5 million per year (for fiscal years 2024–2027) beyond existing funding authorities to establish and manage the VIS.
23- VIS implementation target: within 1 year after enactment.
24Transparency and oversight
25- The Board must issue annual public reports on VIS processes, membership, topics under analysis, data requested, and safety trends.
26- The VIS and related boards/teams would not be subject to FACA (Federal Advisory Committee Act) requirements.

Impact Areas

Primary affected group/area- Pipeline operators (gas transmission/distribution, hazardous liquids, LNG facilities), employees, and contractors. The system is designed to encourage them to voluntarily share safety data in a nonpunitive setting.Secondary affected group/area- Public safety advocates, state and tribal pipeline safety authorities, manufacturers, research and academic institutions, and in-line inspection/service providers. These groups can participate in governance, analysis, and information dissemination.Additional impacts- Pros: Potential improvements in pipeline safety culture, faster identification and dissemination of effective remediation measures, and enhanced industry-wide learning from accidents and near misses.- Cons/risks: Confidentiality protections rely on robust data security; operators may be cautious about sharing certain data; enforcement leverage may be limited for nonpublic information, though required reporting data remains outside VIS protections.- Fiscal/administrative: New funding needs and ongoing annual reporting to Congress; governance complexity with a 15-member board and multiple advisory groups. Public reporting while preserving confidentiality will require careful balance.

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