FEASIBILITY OF REGULATING EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES.

SEC. 306. FEASIBILITY OF REGULATING EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES. (a) Assessment and Report.— The Secretary of Transportation shall assess the feasibility of regulating persons whose excavation activities may result in damage to pipeline facilities (as defined under section 2 of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 and under section 202 of the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979) and, not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, transmit to Congress a report on the results of such assessment together with any legislative recommendations of the Secretary concerning regulation of such persons. (b) Funding.— The Secretary of Transportation may use such sums as may be necessary of funds appropriated pursuant to section 17(a) of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 and section 214(a) of the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act to carry out this section.