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To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to authorize the use of unmanned aircraft systems and satellites in inspections of rights-of-way of certain pipeline facilities.
Summary
This bill amends federal transportation law to allow the Secretary of Transportation to authorize the use of unmanned aircraft systems and satellites for inspecting the surface conditions along pipeline rights-of-way. Currently, pipeline owners and operators are required to inspect these areas, but the bill explicitly permits them to use drones and satellites as tools for these inspections. The bill clarifies that operators using these technologies must still comply with all applicable laws and regulations governing unmanned aircraft systems and satellite operations.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
Money behind the sponsor
Top reported contributors to Nicholas J. Begich’s campaign committee (2024 cycle) — who funds the bill’s sponsor, not a claim about this bill. Data from FEC.
- NULL $310,813
- TEAMHEALTH EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS $44,901
- PETRO 49, INC $18,931
- ODOM CORP $12,500
- CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION $9,183
Organizations whose employees gave the most — itemized individual contributions grouped by the donor’s reported employer (FEC Schedule A). Full finance for Nicholas J. Begich → · Outside spending →
Actions (3)
- Jun 7, 2025 Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. · house
- Jun 6, 2025 Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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. · house
- Jun 6, 2025 Introduced in House
Similar bills (6)
Bills with similar text or summary — includes reintroductions across Congresses. Ranked by semantic similarity of the bill text (computed locally); a neutral discovery aid, not a claim the bills are duplicates.
Text versions (1)
Bills are re-published as they move (Introduced → Reported → Engrossed → Enrolled …). Each stage below is a separate text; pick two to see what changed. Data from Congress.gov.
Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 6, 2025
Mr. Begich introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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 amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to authorize the use of unmanned aircraft systems and satellites in inspections of rights-of-way of certain pipeline facilities.
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 “Safety from Aerial Technology Act” or the “SAT Act”.
SEC. 2. INSPECTION OF RIGHTS-OF-WAY.
Section 60108 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(f) Inspection of Rights-of-Way.—
“(1) In general.—In requiring each owner or operator to inspect the surface conditions on or adjacent to each pipeline right-of-way, the Secretary shall allow use of unmanned aircraft systems and satellites.
“(2) Rule of construction.—Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to affect the obligation of an owner or operator of an unmanned aircraft system or satellite to operate such system in accordance with laws and regulations regarding unmanned aircraft system or satellite use.”. <all>
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