Appropriations Committee approves bill requiring degraded natural gas pipeline plans despite Republican opposition

House Bill 15 26, which would require natural gas public utilities to create degraded pipeline provision plans and submit annual reporting, passed the House Appropriations Committee and will be referred to the House floor.

An unidentified Republican member objected to the bill in committee, saying, “on 09/11/2025, the PUC entered a final order to essentially already do what this bill is requiring,” and announcing that Republicans would vote in the negative. The chair recorded all Democrats in the affirmative and, with the ayes prevailing, the committee adopted the bill.

The executive director’s overview described HB1526 as requiring “the creation of degraded natural gas pipeline provision plans and annual reporting by natural gas public utilities.” The transcript contains no further discussion about whether the PUC order resolves the bill’s requirements or whether the bill is intended to codify or supplement the PUC action.

The committee did not record a numbered roll-call tally in the transcript for this item; the chair announced the bill passed and was referred to the floor. The transcript does not show any amendments to HB1526 or staff directions for implementation.

Next steps for the bill are consideration on the House floor according to committee procedure.