PARTICIPATION IN AGREEMENT PROCEEDINGS.

SEC. 113. PARTICIPATION IN AGREEMENT PROCEEDINGS. (a) In General.— Section 12(b) of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 (49 U.S.C. App. 1679b(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: “(6) Opportunity for state comment.— The Secretary shall provide, to appropriate State officials responsible for pipeline safety in any State in which a pipeline facility is located, notice and an opportunity to comment on any agreement proposed to be entered into by the Secretary to resolve a proceeding initiated under this section with respect to such pipeline facility. Comment submitted under this paragraph shall incorporate comments of affected local officials”. (b) Effective Date.— The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the 180th day following the date of the enactment of this Act.