Commending Judith Bujanda for her service as a legislative intern in the office of State Representative Mary E. González.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Mary González

The act requires the DOT to regulate foreign compressed gas cylinder manufacturers, with initial one-year approvals, five-year renewals, inspections, reevaluations, and enforcement

Reported enrolled

#bujanda #judith(n04za) #resolutions--congratulatory&honorary(i0705)

Summary — H.R. 1182: Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2025

Status and procedural history
- Introduced in the House on Feb 11, 2025 (Rep. Troy Balderson, primary sponsor). Reported favorably by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (H. Rept. 119‑141).
- Passed the House under suspension of the rules by voice vote on June 9, 2025. Received in the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on June 10, 2025. A Congressional Budget Office estimate accompanies the committee report.

Purpose and intent
- To strengthen Federal oversight and safety of compressed gas cylinders manufactured abroad and used in U.S. commerce by directing the Department of Transportation (DOT), via PHMSA, to adopt rules governing approval, inspection, and re‑evaluation of foreign manufacturers of cylinders (FMOCs). The goal is to reduce risks of property damage, injury, and death associated with substandard or uncertified cylinders entering the U.S. supply chain.

Key provisions
- Regulatory requirement: Directs the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate regulations for approval of foreign compressed gas cylinder manufacturers used for hazardous gases.
- Approval periods: Initial approvals for FMOCs are limited to one year (to demonstrate consistent compliance); subsequent approvals may be issued for five‑year intervals.
- Suspension/termination authority: Grants PHMSA authority to suspend or terminate an FMOC approval if the manufacturer or any entity controlling >10% obstructs inspections, knowingly misrepresents required information, or otherwise fails to meet safety conditions.
- Public notice and comment: Requires publication of FMOC approvals in the Federal Register and provides a public comment opportunity.
- Reevaluation: Establishes a process for reevaluation of approvals based on evidence of non‑compliance.
- Cost recovery: Authorizes PHMSA to seek reimbursement of travel and associated costs for overseas inspections of FMOCs.
- Rulemaking and enforcement tools: Strengthens PHMSA’s inspection and enforcement toolkit to ensure foreign manufacturers meet DOT specifications or applicable UN standards and marking requirements.

Background and rationale
- PHMSA regulates transportation of hazardous gases (49 U.S.C. § 5103(b)(1)). The bill responds to concerns about an influx of foreign‑made cylinders lacking DOT/UN specification markings, insufficient overseas inspections, and related incidents and hazards. PHMSA issued a Safety Advisory Notice on Jan 13, 2025 warning the public about non‑compliant cylinders.

Who is affected
- Directly: Foreign manufacturers of compressed gas cylinders; importers/distributors; PHMSA/DOT (regulatory and inspection responsibilities).
- Indirectly: Online retailers, EPA‑certified reclaimers, shippers, transportation workers, emergency responders, and the general public who could be exposed to hazards from non‑compliant cylinders.

Next steps and related legislation
- Pending consideration in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. A companion bill is S. 2320. The committee report includes a CBO cost estimate; implementation will depend on final Senate action and presidential approval.