On July 8, 2026, PHMSA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would modernize the federal repair criteria for hazardous liquid and gas transmission pipelines. If adopted, these would be the first significant updates to the repair requirements in nearly 20 years.

The proposal is intended to better align the regulations with current engineering practices, inspection technologies, and repair methods while reducing unnecessary operational disruptions. PHMSA estimates the proposed changes could save pipeline operators approximately $390 million over time by allowing greater flexibility in evaluating and repairing certain pipeline conditions without compromising safety.

Among the proposed changes are updates to repair criteria for dents, gouges, cracks, corrosion, and other anomalies identified during integrity assessments. The rule would also revise repair schedules, clarify existing requirements, and incorporate modern engineering assessment methods that have become common throughout the industry.

This proposed rule follows PHMSA’s 2025 Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which sought public feedback on opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the current repair regulations.

Pipeline operators, engineers, and integrity management professionals should review the proposal carefully to understand how the revisions may affect inspection programs, repair decision-making, and compliance strategies. Comments on the proposed rule are due by September 8, 2026.

Click here to view the full NPRM. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Foley.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee recently approved a bipartisan pipeline safety bill, marking another significant step toward reauthorizing the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The Senate and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee have already advanced similar legislation, increasing the likelihood of final action this Congress.

PHMSA reauthorization establishes the framework for the agency’s pipeline safety programs and often influences future regulatory initiatives. While details of the final legislation are still being worked out, pipeline operators should continue monitoring congressional activity and upcoming PHMSA actions.

Compliance Takeaway: Pipeline safety reauthorization remains a key issue to watch in 2026. Final passage could shape PHMSA’s future regulatory priorities and compliance initiatives.

For additional information, click here to view the full press release from U.S. Representative Randy Weber’s Office.

PHMSA issued a new Advisory Bulletin (ADB 26-06) to remind owners and operators of gas distribution systems of the distribution integrity management program (DIMP) requirements under 49 CFR part 192, subpart P. The guidance is intended to improve implementation of DIMP risk evaluations by addressing factors such as high-risk infrastructure, interactive threats, and leak management effectiveness. In addition, the guidance urges pipeline operators to adopt the most appropriate risk models for use within their integrity management programs, with full consideration of probabilistic risk models.

The Advisory Bulletin highlights recent updates to The Guide for Gas Transmission, Distribution, and Gathering Piping Systems (ANSI/GPTC Z380.1, 2022 edition) addressing interactive threats, system degradation over time, and leak investigation procedures.  For a copy of the Advisory Bulletin or to inquire how RCP can support the review of your company’s DIMP risk assessment methodology, contact Jessica Foley.

PHMSA has proposed revisions to several pipeline safety reporting forms used by gas, hazardous liquid, and carbon dioxide pipeline operators. The updates are intended to improve the quality, consistency, and usefulness of the information submitted to the agency, helping PHMSA better identify safety trends, evaluate risks, and prioritize oversight activities.

Among the proposed changes are updates to incident, accident, and annual reporting forms, along with revisions to the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) information collection. PHMSA states that many of the changes are designed to clarify existing reporting requirements, reduce ambiguity, and capture more complete data without creating significant new reporting burdens for operators.

Pipeline operators should review the proposed revisions to determine whether any changes may affect their reporting processes. Stakeholders have until August 17, 2026, to submit comments before PHMSA considers the updates for final approval.

Click here to view the full NPRM. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Foley.

DOT issued a minor update to its drug and alcohol testing rules to address a temporary gap related to oral fluid testing.

While oral fluid testing was approved in a previous rule, it cannot yet be used because certified laboratories are not in place. This update ensures that in situations where oral fluid testing would have been required, employers should continue using directly observed urine testing for now.

Once oral fluid testing becomes fully available, DOT will allow an 18-month transition period for employers to implement it where needed.

Overall, this update does not change current practices—it simply keeps existing procedures in place until oral fluid testing can be realistically adopted.

Click here to view the full NPRM. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Foley.