Office of Public Engagement

(a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall rename the Community Liaison Services within the Office of Pipeline Safety of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration as the Office of Public Engagement (in this section referred to as the Office). (b) Duties The duties of the Office are to— (1) proactively engage with pipeline stakeholders, including the public, pipeline operators, public safety organizations, and State, local, and Tribal government officials, to raise awareness of pipeline safety practices; (2) promote the adoption and increased use of safety programs and activities; (3) inform the public of pipeline safety regulations and best practices; and (4) assist the public with inquiries regarding pipeline safety. (c) Public accessibility The Office shall ensure that activities carried out by the Office and information products developed by the Office are accessible to the public. (d) Community liaisons (1) In general The Office shall incorporate positions known as community liaisons under the Community Liaison Services. (2) Meeting inclusion For the purposes of formulating a proposed safety order case, the Administrator shall make every reasonable effort to include a community liaison in each meeting or separately provide the community liaison with a detailed update of each proposed safety order case meeting. (e) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of this section.