House Bill 294 would give Idaho primacy over pipeline enforcement and penalties, sponsor says

Representative Jaron Crane presented House Bill 294 as a federalism-focused measure intended to restore Idaho's authority over natural gas pipeline safety, enforcement, and penalties. "What we're wanting to do in this legislation is take over any protection, control and any penalties should something happen to a pipeline in the state of Idaho," Crane said, adding the bill would give the state authority to adjudicate penalties while remaining consistent with federal compliance standards.

Crane told the committee the bill strikes some existing penalty language and references federal maximum civil penalties used for regulatory certainty; he said the federal maximum is presently "$200,000 per violation up to $2,000,000 for related series of violations," citing federal law as the ceiling for civil penalties regardless of whether Idaho or federal authorities enforce the rules.

Maria Barrett Riley, executive director of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, testified briefly and said the commission would not need additional resources to assume primacy: "No, absolutely not. Our FTEs are at 3, we have 2 and a half inspectors with 1 program manager... so nothing would change, just that we would have primacy and flexibility and control." The committee heard no in-person opposition and had remote supporters registered.

The committee voted to send House Bill 294 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. Representative Scott asked to be recorded as voting no on the bill. No amendments were adopted in committee at this hearing.