SB341 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg J. Reed

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Public Service Commission, regulation of pipelines for gas and hazardous liquids, penalties for violation of safety standards increased, Secs. 37-4-87, 37-4-96 am'd.

Summary

SB341 would raise Alabama’s penalties for violations of gas pipeline safety and hazardous liquid pipeline standards to align with federal penalties.

What This Bill Does

It amends Sections 37-4-87 and 37-4-96 to increase penalties for violations of gas pipeline safety standards and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities. Penalties can be up to $200,000 for each day a violation persists, with a maximum of $500,000 for a single violation and up to $2,000,000 for any related series of violations. The Public Service Commission may compromise penalties and must consider factors such as the violator’s size, the gravity of the violation, and the violator’s good faith in seeking compliance. Penalties can be deducted from sums owed by the State to the violator or collected through civil action, and the act becomes effective immediately after the Governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Pipeline operators and owners in Alabama that operate gas pipelines or hazardous liquid pipelines, who would face higher civil penalties for safety violations.
• The Alabama Public Service Commission and its enforcement processes, which would gain authority to assess, compromise, and collect higher penalties.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 37-4-87 and 37-4-96 to increase penalties for violations of gas pipeline safety standards and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities.
• Sets penalties up to $200,000 per day per violation, with a maximum of $500,000 for any single violation and up to $2,000,000 for any related series of violations.
• Allows the Public Service Commission to compromise penalties and requires consideration of the violator’s size, the gravity of the violation, and the violator’s good faith in seeking compliance.
• Permits penalties to be deducted from sums owed by the State to the violator or collected via civil action in the circuit court.
• Effective date: immediate upon the Governor’s passage and approval (becomes law immediately).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Public Service Commission