Bill Summary
The "Propane Accessibility and Regulatory Relief Act" is a piece of legislation aimed at easing regulatory requirements for certain propane tanks. Specifically, it directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to exempt propane tanks with a capacity of up to 126,000 pounds from the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) regulations. By removing these specific tanks from CFATS oversight, the bill seeks to streamline regulations, potentially improving accessibility and reducing compliance burdens for those who handle or store propane.
Possible Impacts
The "Propane Accessibility and Regulatory Relief Act" could affect people in several ways:
1. **Increased Accessibility for Businesses**: By exempting certain propane tanks from CFATS regulations, businesses that rely on propane (such as agricultural operations, restaurants, and manufacturing) may experience reduced regulatory burdens. This could lead to lower compliance costs, making propane more accessible and affordable for these businesses, potentially resulting in job growth or expansion.
2. **Enhanced Safety Concerns**: While the intent of the legislation may be to streamline regulations, exempting larger propane tanks from CFATS oversight could raise safety concerns among communities. CFATS regulations are designed to mitigate risks associated with hazardous materials; thus, their removal could lead to a higher potential for accidents or incidents involving propane, impacting public safety.
3. **Environmental Impact**: The exemption may also influence environmental policies. If propane tanks are not subjected to the same regulatory scrutiny, there could be increased risks of spills or leaks, which could have negative implications for local ecosystems. Communities near propane storage facilities might experience environmental degradation, affecting air and water quality, as well as local wildlife.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3949 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3949
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to exempt from CFATS
regulations certain propane tanks, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 12, 2025
Mr. Burlison introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to exempt from CFATS
regulations certain propane tanks, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Propane Accessibility and Regulatory
Relief Act''.
SEC. 2. EXEMPTION FROM CFATS REGULATIONS OF CERTAIN PROPANE TANKS.
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall take such actions as may
be necessary to exempt from any CFATS regulation (as such term is
defined in section 2101 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C.
621)) any propane tank with a capacity of up to 126,000 pounds of
propane.
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