3.0.0 275 2023-01-11T13:20:29Z 2023-01-11T13:20:29Z Senate S S 2011-02-03 112 sscm00 Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Senate Standing Reported by 2011-07-07T21:04:29Z Markup by 2011-05-05T16:05:41Z Referred to 2011-02-03T19:20:24Z S. Rept. 112-30 Pipeline Infrastructure and Community Protection Act of 2011 112 2937 HR 2011-11-16 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 112-287, Part I. Related bill CRS Text similarities House 2011-10-21 13:39:57 Held at the desk. Floor H15000 2 House floor actions 2011-10-21 09:32:25 Received in the House. Floor H14000 2 House floor actions 2011-10-18 Senate Message on Senate action sent to the House. Floor 2011-10-17 Senate Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S6616-6620) Floor 2011-10-17 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S6616-6620) Floor 17000 9 Library of Congress 2011-10-17 Senate The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent. (text of committee amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6613-6616) Floor 2011-10-17 Senate Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6613-6620) Floor 2011-07-07 Senate Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 96. Calendars 2011-07-07 sscm00 Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Rockefeller with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 112-30. Committee 2011-07-07 Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Rockefeller with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 112-30. Committee 14000 9 Library of Congress sscm00 Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee 2011-05-05 sscm00 Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. Committee 2011-02-03 sscm00 Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Senate Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. IntroReferral 2011-02-03 Introduced in Senate IntroReferral 10000 9 Library of Congress L000123 Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ] FRANK LAUTENBERG D NJ R. N R000361 Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV] JAY ROCKEFELLER D WV 2011-02-03 True M000639 Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ] Robert Menendez D NJ 2011-02-03 True B001265 Sen. Begich, Mark [D-AK] Mark Begich D AK 2011-02-03 True C001070 Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA] Bob Casey D PA 2011-04-04 False U000039 Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM] TOM UDALL D NM 2011-05-05 False Transportation and Public Works Administrative law and regulatory procedures Administrative remedies Alaska Alternative and renewable resources Congressional oversight Department of Transportation Emergency communications systems Environmental assessment, monitoring, research Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management Government information and archives Government studies and investigations Government trust funds Gulf of Mexico Hazardous wastes and toxic substances International organizations and cooperation Licensing and registrations Marine and coastal resources, fisheries Motor fuels Oil and gas Pipelines Pollution liability Research and development Transportation programs funding Transportation safety and security Transportation and Public Works 00 2011-02-03 Introduced in Senate 2011-03-22T19:37:09Z Pipeline Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2011 - Prescribes or revises requirements for safety and environmental protection in pipeline transportation.

Defines the term "major consequence violation" to mean a violation that contributed to an incident resulting in: (1) one or more deaths or injuries or illnesses requiring in-patient hospitalization; or (2) environmental harm exceeding $250,000 in damage, including property loss (other than the value of natural gas or hazardous liquid lost or damage to pipeline equipment).

Subjects to a civil penalty of $250,000 any person that the Secretary of Transportation has found to have committed a major consequence violation of a pipeline marking or excavation notification requirement, pipeline safety standard or regulation, or order. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil penalty on a person who obstructs or prevents an inspection or investigation of a gas pipeline or hazardous liquid pipeline. Prescribes a maximum civil penalty of $2.5 million for a related series of major consequence violations.

Prohibits a state one-call notification program from exempting municipalities, state agencies, or their contractors from its one-call notification system requirements.

Requires the Secretary to issue regulations subjecting offshore hazardous liquid gathering pipelines (except low-stress distribution pipelines) as well as those located within Gulf of Mexico inlets to the same standards and regulations as other hazardous liquid pipelines.

Directs the Secretary to prescribe a regulation to require the use of automatic or remote-controlled shut-off valves (or equivalent technology) on pipelines.

Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations to require the use of excess flow valves on new or entirely replaced distribution branch services, multi-family facilities, and small commercial facilities located in high-density population areas and environmentally sensitive areas.

Directs the Secretary to evaluate specified questions with respect to integrity management safety system requirements.

Requires the Secretary to maintain: (1) a monthly updated summary of all completed and final natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline inspections conducted by or reported to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), (2) an updated list of each gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operator's facility response plan, and (3) an updated map of all pipelines located in high consequence areas that are required to meet integrity management safety regulations.

Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the safety risks from both onshore and offshore pipelines to which federal pipeline safety requirements do not apply, including gathering lines.

Directs the Secretary to update a report to Congress on leak detection systems used by operators of hazardous liquid pipelines and transportation-related flow lines.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) prescribe regulations to establish time limits for accident and incident (i.e., spill or rupture) telephonic or electronic notification by pipeline operators to state and local government officials and emergency responders, and (2) review procedures for pipeline operators and the National Response Center to provide coordinated notification to all relevant emergency response officials and revise such procedures as appropriate.

Revises national pipeline mapping system requirements to require each pipeline operator to provide the Secretary certain geospatial, technical, or other related pipeline data, including design and material specifications.

Authorizes the Secretary to engage in activities supporting the exchange of information with domestic and international organizations about the public and environmental risks from pipelines.

Directs the Secretary to review and report to Congress on all exemptions for gas and hazardous liquid gathering lines.

Authorizes the Secretary to collect geospatial, technical, or other pipeline data on transportation-related oil flow lines (pipelines transporting oil off the grounds of the well across areas not owned by the producer).

Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to Alaska to achieve coordinated oversight of the construction, expansion, or operation of Alaskan pipeline systems.

Authorizes the Secretary to require persons proposing the construction, expansion, or operation of certain new gas or hazardous liquid pipelines (including construction inspections and oversight) to pay the costs of pipeline design safety reviews the Secretary conducts.

Establishes in the Treasury the Pipeline Safety Design Review Fund.

Sets forth certain factors the Secretary shall consider in granting a pipeline operator's application for a waiver (for up to five years, reviewable) of any pipeline standard.

Treats as a hazardous liquid any non-petroleum fuels, including biofuels that are flammable, toxic, or corrosive or would be harmful to the environment if released in significant quantities.

Directs the Secretary to prescribe minimum safety standards for the pipeline transportation of carbon dioxide in gaseous form.

Directs the Secretary to study whether hazardous liquid pipeline regulations are sufficient to regulate the transportation of tar sands crude oil by pipeline, including whether any increase in risk of release exists for pipelines transporting such oil.

Directs the Secretary to study the transportation of non-petroleum hazardous liquids by pipeline, including the extent to which the safety of such lines is unregulated by states.

Directs the Secretary to increase the number of PHMSA personnel by a total of 39 full-time employees to carry out the pipeline safety program.

]]> 01 2011-07-07 Reported to Senate with amendment(s) 2011-08-31T20:47:56Z Pipeline Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2011 - Prescribes or revises requirements for safety and environmental protection in pipeline transportation.

(Sec. 2) Defines the term "major consequence violation" to mean a violation that contributed to an incident resulting in: (1) one or more deaths or injuries or illnesses requiring in-patient hospitalization; or (2) environmental harm exceeding $250,000 in damage, including property loss (other than the value of natural gas or hazardous liquid lost or damage to pipeline equipment).

Subjects to a civil penalty of $250,000 any person that the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) has found to have committed a major consequence violation of a pipeline marking or excavation notification requirement, pipeline safety standard or regulation, or order. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil penalty on a person who obstructs or prevents an inspection or investigation of a gas pipeline or hazardous liquid pipeline. Prescribes a maximum civil penalty of $2.5 million for a related series of major consequence violations.

(Sec. 3) Prohibits a state one-call notification program from exempting municipalities, state agencies, or their contractors from its one-call notification system requirements.

(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary to issue regulations subjecting offshore hazardous liquid gathering pipelines (except low-stress distribution pipelines) as well as those located within Gulf of Mexico inlets to the same standards and regulations as other hazardous liquid pipelines.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to prescribe a regulation to require the use of automatic or remote-controlled shut-off valves (or equivalent technology) on pipelines.

(Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations to require the use of excess flow valves on new or entirely replaced distribution branch services, multi-family facilities, and small commercial facilities located in high-density population areas and environmentally sensitive areas.

(Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary to evaluate specified questions with respect to integrity management safety system requirements.

(Sec. 8) Requires the Secretary to maintain: (1) a monthly updated summary of all completed and final natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline inspections conducted by or reported to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), (2) a status indication of the review and approval of each gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operator's facility response plan, and (3) an updated map of all pipelines located in high consequence areas that are required to meet integrity management safety regulations.

(Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to conduct biannually a follow-up survey to measure progress of gas pipeline operators to implement plans for the safe management and replacement of cast iron pipe in their systems.

(Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary to: (1) submit an updated report to Congress on leak detection systems used by operators of hazardous liquid pipelines and transportation-related flow lines; and (2) prescribe regulations to require such operators to use leak detection technologies, particularly in high consequence areas.

(Sec. 11) Requires the Secretary to: (1) prescribe regulations to establish time limits for accident and incident (i.e., spill or rupture) telephonic or electronic notification by pipeline operators to state and local government officials and emergency responders, and (2) review procedures for pipeline operators and the National Response Center to provide coordinated notification to all relevant emergency response officials and revise such procedures as appropriate.

(Sec. 13) Revises national pipeline mapping system requirements to require each pipeline operator to provide the Secretary certain geospatial, technical, or other related pipeline data, including design and material specifications.

(Sec. 14) Authorizes the Secretary to engage in activities supporting the exchange of information with domestic and international organizations about the public and environmental risks from pipelines.

(Sec. 15) Directs the Secretary to review all exemptions for gas and hazardous liquid gathering lines.

(Sec. 16) Authorizes the Secretary to collect geospatial, technical, or other pipeline data on transportation-related oil flow lines (pipelines transporting oil off the grounds of the well across areas not owned by the producer).

(Sec. 17) Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to Alaska to achieve coordinated oversight of the construction, expansion, or operation of Alaskan pipeline systems.

(Sec. 18) Authorizes the Secretary to require persons proposing the construction, expansion, or operation of certain new gas or hazardous liquid pipelines (including construction inspections and oversight) to pay the costs of pipeline design safety reviews the Secretary conducts.

Establishes in the Treasury the Pipeline Safety Design Review Fund.

(Sec. 19) Sets forth certain factors the Secretary shall consider in granting a pipeline operator's application for a waiver (for up to five years, reviewable) of any pipeline standard.

(Sec. 20) Treats as a hazardous liquid any non-petroleum fuels, including biofuels that are flammable, toxic, or corrosive or would be harmful to the environment if released in significant quantities.

(Sec. 21) Directs the Secretary to prescribe minimum safety standards for the pipeline transportation of carbon dioxide in gaseous form.

(Sec. 22) Directs the Secretary to study whether hazardous liquid pipeline regulations are sufficient to regulate the transportation of tar sands crude oil by pipeline, including whether any increase in risk of release exists for pipelines transporting such oil.

(Sec. 23) Directs the Secretary to study the transportation of non-petroleum hazardous liquids by pipeline, including the extent to which the safety of such lines is unregulated by states.

(Sec. 25) Directs the Secretary to increase the number of PHMSA personnel by a total of 39 full-time employees to carry out the pipeline safety program.

(Sec. 26) Revises state pipeline safety grant requirements to authorize the Secretary to provide a pipeline safety grant to a state (as under current law) only if it spends (excluding federal grants) an amount equal to the average amount it spent for a gas or hazardous liquid safety program for FY2004-FY2006. Directs the Secretary to waive such requirement if a state can demonstrate an inability to maintain or increase its funding share of its pipeline safety program due to economic hardship.

(Sec. 27) Directs the Secretary to require gas pipeline operators to verify records for all interstate and intrastate gas transmission lines in class 3 and class 4 locations and class 1 and class 2 high consequence areas to reflect accurately the pipelines' physical and operational characteristics and confirm their established maximum allowable operating pressures.

(Sec. 28) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to: (1) require a presiding official at all administrative hearings related to PHMSA civil penalties, compliance orders, safety orders, or corrective orders; (2) give any person requesting a hearing the opportunity to arrange for a transcript of the hearing, at the person's own expense; and (3) ensure expedited review of any emergency order to a pipeline facility operator to take necessary corrective action with regard to a pipeline facility determined hazardous to life and property.

(Sec. 29) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2014 for: (1) gas and hazardous liquid pipeline safety grants, (2) emergency response grants, (3) one-call notification programs, (4) state damage prevention programs, (5) community pipeline safety information grants, and (6) an ongoing pipeline transportation research and development program plan.

]]> 35 2011-10-17 Passed Senate amended 2012-01-19T16:33:15Z Pipeline Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2011 - Prescribes or revises requirements for safety and environmental protection in pipeline transportation.

(Sec. 2) Defines the term "major consequence violation" to mean a violation that contributed to an incident resulting in: (1) one or more deaths or injuries or illnesses requiring in-patient hospitalization; or (2) environmental harm exceeding $250,000 in damage, including property loss (other than the value of natural gas or hazardous liquid lost or damage to pipeline equipment).

Subjects to a civil penalty of $250,000 any person that the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) has found to have committed a major consequence violation of a pipeline marking or excavation notification requirement, pipeline safety standard or regulation, or order. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil penalty on a person who obstructs or prevents an inspection or investigation of a gas pipeline or hazardous liquid pipeline. Prescribes a maximum civil penalty of $2.5 million for a related series of major consequence violations.

(Sec. 3) Prohibits a state one-call notification program from exempting municipalities, state agencies, or their contractors from its one-call notification system requirements.

(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary to issue regulations subjecting offshore hazardous liquid gathering pipelines (except low-stress distribution pipelines) as well as those located within Gulf of Mexico inlets to the same standards and regulations as other hazardous liquid pipelines.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to prescribe a regulation to require the use of automatic or remote-controlled shut-off valves (or equivalent technology) on pipelines.

(Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations to require the use of excess flow valves on new or entirely replaced distribution branch services, multi-family facilities, and small commercial facilities located in high-density population areas and environmentally sensitive areas.

(Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary to evaluate specified questions with respect to integrity management safety system requirements.

(Sec. 8) Requires the Secretary to maintain: (1) a monthly updated summary of all completed and final natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline inspections conducted by or reported to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), (2) a status indication of the review and approval of each gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operator's facility response plan, and (3) an updated map of all pipelines located in high consequence areas that are required to meet integrity management safety regulations.

(Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to conduct biannually a follow-up survey to measure progress of gas pipeline operators to implement plans for the safe management and replacement of cast iron pipe in their systems.

(Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary to: (1) submit an updated report to Congress on leak detection systems used by operators of hazardous liquid pipelines and transportation-related flow lines; and (2) prescribe regulations to require such operators to use leak detection technologies, particularly in high consequence areas.

(Sec. 11) Requires the Secretary to: (1) prescribe regulations to establish time limits for accident and incident (i.e., spill or rupture) telephonic or electronic notification by pipeline operators to state and local government officials and emergency responders, and (2) review procedures for pipeline operators and the National Response Center to provide coordinated notification to all relevant emergency response officials and revise such procedures as appropriate.

(Sec. 13) Revises national pipeline mapping system requirements to require each pipeline operator to provide the Secretary certain geospatial, technical, or other related pipeline data, including design and material specifications.

(Sec. 14) Authorizes the Secretary to engage in activities supporting the exchange of information with domestic and international organizations about the public and environmental risks from pipelines.

(Sec. 15) Directs the Secretary to review all exemptions for gas and hazardous liquid gathering lines.

(Sec. 16) Authorizes the Secretary to collect geospatial, technical, or other pipeline data on transportation-related oil flow lines (pipelines transporting oil off the grounds of the well across areas not owned by the producer).

(Sec. 17) Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to Alaska to achieve coordinated oversight of the construction, expansion, or operation of Alaskan pipeline systems.

(Sec. 18) Authorizes the Secretary to require persons proposing the construction, expansion, or operation of certain new gas or hazardous liquid pipelines (including construction inspections and oversight) to pay the costs of pipeline design safety reviews the Secretary conducts.

Establishes in the Treasury the Pipeline Safety Design Review Fund.

(Sec. 19) Sets forth certain factors the Secretary shall consider in granting a pipeline operator's application for a waiver (for up to five years, reviewable) of any pipeline standard.

(Sec. 20) Treats as a hazardous liquid any non-petroleum fuels, including biofuels that are flammable, toxic, or corrosive or would be harmful to the environment if released in significant quantities.

(Sec. 21) Directs the Secretary to prescribe minimum safety standards for the pipeline transportation of carbon dioxide in gaseous form.

(Sec. 22) Directs the Secretary to study whether hazardous liquid pipeline regulations are sufficient to regulate the transportation of tar sands crude oil by pipeline, including whether any increase in risk of release exists for pipelines transporting such oil.

(Sec. 23) Directs the Secretary to study the transportation of non-petroleum hazardous liquids by pipeline, including the extent to which the safety of such lines is unregulated by states.

(Sec. 25) Directs the Secretary to increase the number of PHMSA personnel by a total of 39 full-time employees to carry out the pipeline safety program.

(Sec. 26) Revises state pipeline safety grant requirements to authorize the Secretary to provide a pipeline safety grant to a state (as under current law) only if it spends (excluding federal grants) an amount equal to the average amount it spent for a gas or hazardous liquid safety program for FY2004-FY2006. Directs the Secretary to waive such requirement if a state can demonstrate an inability to maintain or increase its funding share of its pipeline safety program due to economic hardship.

(Sec. 27) Directs the Secretary to require gas pipeline operators to verify records for all interstate and intrastate gas transmission lines in class 3 and class 4 locations and class 1 and class 2 high consequence areas to reflect accurately the pipelines' physical and operational characteristics and confirm their established maximum allowable operating pressures.

Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations for conducting tests to confirm the material strength of previously untested natural gas transmission pipelines: (1) located in high-density population areas and environmentally sensitive areas, and (2) operating at a pressure greater than 30% of specified minimum yield strength.

(Sec. 28) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to: (1) require a presiding official at all administrative hearings related to PHMSA civil penalties, compliance orders, safety orders, or corrective orders; (2) give any person requesting a hearing the opportunity to arrange for a transcript of the hearing, at the person's own expense; and (3) ensure expedited review of any emergency order to a pipeline facility operator to take necessary corrective action with regard to a pipeline facility determined hazardous to life and property.

(Sec. 29) Authorizes appropriations for FY2012-FY2015 for: (1) gas and hazardous liquid pipeline safety grants, (2) emergency response grants, (3) one-call notification programs, (4) state damage prevention programs, (5) community pipeline safety information grants, and (6) an ongoing pipeline transportation research and development program plan.


]]> Pipeline Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2011 Display Title Pipeline Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2011 Official Title as Introduced A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for enhanced safety and environmental protection in pipeline transportation, to provide for enhanced reliability in the transportation of the Nation's energy products by pipeline, and for other purposes. Introduced in Senate IS Short Titles as Introduced Pipeline Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2011 Short Titles as Reported to Senate Pipeline Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2011 S Senate Short Titles as Passed Senate Pipeline Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2011 S Senate 784 112 SAMDT To provide for testing to confirm the material strength of previously untested natural gas transmission pipelines located in certain areas, and to update fiscal year references. 2022-02-03T06:01:43Z 2011-10-17 Amendment SA 784 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. SA 784 https://www.congress.gov/amendment/112th-congress/senate-amendment/784 P000603 Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY] Rand Paul R KY 2011-10-17T04:00:00Z 2011-10-17T04:00:00Z Senate 112 S Senate S 275 Pipeline Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2011 2023-01-11T13:20:29Z 6 2011-10-17 0 Senate Amendment SA 784 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. Floor 2011-10-17 0 Senate Amendment SA 784 proposed by Senator Reid for Senator Paul. (consideration: CR S6616) To provide for testing to confirm the material strength of previously untested natural gas transmission pipelines located in certain areas, and to update fiscal year references. Floor 2011-10-17 Senate amendment proposed (on the floor): Amendment SA 784 proposed by Senator Reid for Senator Paul.(consideration: CR S6616) Floor 93000 9 Library of Congress 2011-10-17 Senate amendment agreed to: Amendment SA 784 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. Floor 94000 9 Library of Congress 2011-10-17 Senate amendment submitted Floor 91000 9 Library of Congress 783 112 SAMDT To include the statutorily required PAYGO language. 2022-02-03T06:01:43Z 2011-10-17 Amendment SA 783 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. SA 783 https://www.congress.gov/amendment/112th-congress/senate-amendment/783 R000361 Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV] JAY ROCKEFELLER D WV 2011-10-17T04:00:00Z 2011-10-17T04:00:00Z Senate 112 S Senate S 275 Pipeline Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2011 2023-01-11T13:20:29Z 6 2011-10-17 0 Senate Amendment SA 783 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. Floor 2011-10-17 0 Senate Amendment SA 783 proposed by Senator Reid for Senator Rockefeller. (consideration: CR S6616; text: CR S6616) To include the statutorily required PAYGO language. Floor 2011-10-17 Senate amendment proposed (on the floor): Amendment SA 783 proposed by Senator Reid for Senator Rockefeller.(consideration: CR S6616; text: CR S6616) Floor 93000 9 Library of Congress 2011-10-17 Senate amendment agreed to: Amendment SA 783 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. Floor 94000 9 Library of Congress 2011-10-17 Senate amendment submitted Floor 91000 9 Library of Congress Engrossed in Senate 2011-10-17T04:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-112s275es/xml/BILLS-112s275es.xml Reported to Senate 2011-07-07T04:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-112s275rs/xml/BILLS-112s275rs.xml Introduced in Senate 2011-02-03T05:00:00Z 2011-10-21 Held at the desk. 13:39:57 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress This file contains bill summaries and statuses for federal legislation. A bill summary describes the most significant provisions of a piece of legislation and details the effects the legislative text may have on current law and federal programs. Bill summaries are authored by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. As stated in Public Law 91-510 (2 USC 166 (d)(6)), one of the duties of CRS is "to prepare summaries and digests of bills and resolutions of a public general nature introduced in the Senate or House of Representatives". For more information, refer to the User Guide that accompanies this file.