S. 1017 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Mar 13, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryStrengthens criminal penalties for pipeline sabotage
This bill expands what counts as a federal crime when it comes to interstate gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. Right now, damaging or destroying a pipeline can result in up to 20 years in prison. The bill adds vandalism, tampering, and disrupting or preventing a pipeline's operation or construction to the list of criminal acts that carry those same tough penalties.
How it affects you
Most people won't be directly affected. However, if you live near or depend on services from interstate pipelines, this could mean stronger legal protection for that infrastructure. Law enforcement also gains clearer authority to pursue more types of pipeline-related offenses.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Mar 13, 2025)
Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act
This bill expands the types of activities that are subject to criminal penalties related to damaging or destroying an interstate gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility.
Under current law, a person who knowingly and willfully damages or destroys a pipeline facility is subject to criminal penalties, including a fine, a prison term of up to 20 years, or both. If a death results from the offense, the person may be imprisoned for any term of years or life.
Under the bill, these criminal penalties also apply to a person who knowingly and willfully
• vandalizes,
• tampers with, or
• disrupts or prevents the operation or construction of the facility.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1017
A BILL
Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) · Introduced Mar 13, 2025 · Transportation and Public Works · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 13, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.”