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Bill > H4555

MA H4555

For field safety in gas infrastructure

summary

Introduced
03/12/2020
In Committee
03/12/2020
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

191st General Court

Bill Summary

For field safety in gas infrastructure

AI Summary

This bill proposes several key provisions to enhance field safety in gas infrastructure: 1. It establishes a uniform system for classifying natural gas leaks as Grade 1 (immediate hazard), Grade 2 (non-hazardous but requiring scheduled repair), or Grade 3 (non-hazardous), and sets timelines for repairing such leaks. 2. It requires gas companies to survey project areas for gas leaks prior to significant public works projects and ensure shut-off valves are accessible, and imposes fines for failure to verify operational status of valves before excavation or blasting work. 3. It prioritizes repairs for gas leaks detected within school zones and requires annual reporting on leak locations, classifications, and repair dates. 4. It directs the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to promulgate regulations for inspecting and repairing gas piping adjacent to inside meters, and to establish minimum safety standards for gas pipelines that may exceed federal requirements. 5. It requires the DPU to conduct regular studies on gas company adherence to safety standards and make recommendations to enhance pipeline safety. 6. It expands certain worker protections to contractors performing gas work. 7. It increases maximum civil penalties for gas safety violations and allows the DPU to double penalties for repeat offenders.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance

Sponsors (48)

Brian Ashe (D),  Bruce Ayers (D),  Ruth Balser (D),  Christine Barber (D),  Jennifer Benson (D),  David Biele (D),  Joseph Boncore (D),  Dan Cahill (D),  Linda Campbell (D),  Mike Connolly (D),  Diana Dizoglio (D),  Mindy Domb (D),  Dan Donahue (D),  Carolyn Dykema (D),  Jamie Eldridge (D),  Barry Finegold (D),  Denise Garlick (D),  Colleen Garry (D),  Carlos González (D),  Ken Gordon (D),  Danielle Gregoire (D),  Jim Hawkins (D),  Stephen Hay (D),  Kate Hogan (D),  Kay Khan (D),  David LeBoeuf (D),  Elizabeth Malia (D),  Christina Minicucci (D),  Mike Moore (D),  Frank Moran (D),  James Murphy (D),  Tram Nguyen (D),  Patrick O'Connor (R),  Jim O'Day (D),  Marc Pacheco (D),  Jerry Parisella (D),  Alice Peisch (D),  Smitty Pignatelli (D),  Denise Provost (D),  Dave Robertson (D),  Dave Rogers (D),  Jeff Roy (D),  Danny Ryan (D),  Jon Santiago (D),  Angelo Scaccia (D),  Tom Stanley (D),  Steve Ultrino (D),  Bud Williams (D), 

Other Sponsors (1)

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy (J)

Last Action

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means (on 03/12/2020)
(1 Companion Bills)

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Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H4555
Bill https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H4555.pdf
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