An Act for field safety in gas infrastructure

HD 862 establishes a standardized system for classifying natural gas leaks into three grades for gas companies: Grade 1 (immediate hazard requiring urgent repair), Grade 2 (non-hazardous now but needing repair within 6-12 months), and Grade 3 (non-hazardous, rechecked annually). It requires gas companies to prioritize repairs within 50 feet of schools, report leak details annually to the state department (making data available to safety officials), and inspect for leaks before public construction projects. The bill also mandates that companies verify valve accessibility before excavation, with fines up to $10,000 for failing to do so, and sets deadlines for updating infrastructure maps. This directly affects gas distribution companies and enhances public safety by standardizing leak response and transparency.