HB | AIPG-TX

07 May, 2019

The Wise Report

The State Legislature is now in session and bills are being filed and worked on. New information is listed in bold (0 new bills listed):

HB 223, by Reynolds, Relating to the funding through greenhouse gas emissions fees of energy efficiency programs administered by certain utilities; authorizing a fee. Referred to State Affairs, 2/19/2019. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB223

HB 225, by Reynolds, Relating to the analysis of inspection and maintenance requirements for air quality permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain oil and gas facilities. Regulates fugitive emissions from all oil field equipment, the use of venting and flaring, etc. Referred to Environmental Regulation, 2/19/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB225

30 Apr, 2019

By AIPG-TX News

Status of TBPG Legislation: So Far, So Good.

See Status of TBPG Legislation:

https://capitol.texas.gov/mytlo/mobile/BillHistory.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB%201311

Bill Language: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/86R/billtext/pdf/HB01311I.pdf

31 Mar, 2019

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

The Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is under review, as required every five years. This MOU addresses the TCEQ’s environmental reviews of TxDOT highway (transportation) projects. The updated MOU removes unnecessary definitions and simplifies the coordination process, so that coordination is only required on transportation projects that require environmental impact statements, supplemental environmental impact statements, or environmental assessments. The public comment period is April 12 to May 13, 2019. The public hearing date is anticipated to be May 9, 2019. For more information go to: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/assets/public/legal/rules/rule_lib/proposals/17008007_pex.pdf

31 Mar, 2019

By AIPG-TX News

MARCH 31 UPDATE: Monitoring House Bill Activities

MARCH 31 UPDATE: MONITORING HOUSE BILL ACTIVITIES: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/BillStages.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB1311

Henry M. Wise, President of AIPG Texas Section, has heard from his contacts that now is the time. The final stretch of getting the amended Texas Geoscience Act reauthorized is here. Senate and House Bill 1311 currently being considered by the Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee and will be voted on in the immediate future, even as early as tomorrow. As with most of life, timing is everything. TGC has been following the lead of our lobbyist about when the proper time would be for us to call our representatives to tell them we want them to support the bill. They tell us that there are two well known organization opposing the bill. We need 30 Republicans to support the bill, but they are not so unified. So, we are asking all licensed geoscientists who are in republican districts to call and email their representatives asking for them to support the bill.

06 Jun, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

Gov. Greg Abbott signed the Railroad Commission’s Sunset Bill, House Bill 1818 (HB 1818) into law May 22, 2017 reauthorizing the RRC for 12 more years until Sept. 1, 2029. The bill also provides the agency with the authority to assess pipeline safety fees to support its pipeline safety regulatory program; jurisdiction over preventing interstate pipeline damage and a mandate to publish an annual oil and gas monitoring report.

Under this legislation, the RRC’s Oil & Gas Division is directed to develop and publish an oil and gas monitoring strategic annual plan each fiscal year to ensure the agency’s resources are used to protect public safety and the environment. The RRC is directed to publish this report on its website by July 1, 2017 preceding each state fiscal year.

16 Apr, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

The TCEQ has received a “Petition for Rulemaking to simplify regulatory burdens to the State of Texas and its citizens” from Mr. Jed Anderson. His complaint is, basically, that the TCEQ rules are too complex and need to be simplified. The document can be found at: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/assets/public/legal/rules/rule_lib/petitions/17023PET_petition.pdf

27 Mar, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

The TCEQ Remediation Division issued revised guidance and reporting requirements for selecting and developing engineered Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) for LPST sites. The guidance document formerly known as RG-41, Corrective Action Plans for LPST Sites has been reissued as RG-523/PST-10, Corrective Action Plans for LPST Sites.

The Remedial Technology Screening Form (RTS) (TCEQ-00695), Notice of Remediation System Installation (NRSI) (TCEQ-00694) and CAP Worksheets (TCEQ-00707) used in conjunction with the guidance have also been revised. The forms and worksheets are required when submitting a CAP for LPST sites.

The guidance document is available on the TCEQ webpage: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/publications/rg/rg-523-pst-10

13 Mar, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

The State Legislature is now in session. The following is a list of bills of potential interest to geologists. There are 15 new bills of interest this week. The deadline for the unrestricted filing of bills and joint resolutions other than local bills, emergency appropriations, and bills that have been declared an emergency by the governor was Friday, March 10, 2017. Therefore, few new bills are anticipated this session, but we will continue to look for new bills of interest in case they come up. New information is listed in bold:

HB 484, by Spring, Relating to training required to qualify for or renew a license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The TCEQ must provide a location within 100 miles of the place of employment of a person who is required to receive the training, reimbursement for travel and lodging expenses incurred if training isn’t available within 100 miles, or online training. Scheduled for public hearing on 3/14/2017. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB484

02 Mar, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

Bills of Potential Interest to Texas Geologists

The State Legislature is now in session.

The following is a list of bills of potential interest to geologists. There one new bill this week. New information is listed in bold:

HB 484, by Spring, Relating to training required to qualify for or renew a license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The TCEQ must provide a location within 100 miles of the place of employment of a person who is required to receive the training, reimbursement for travel and lodging expenses incurred if training isn’t available within 100 miles, or online training. 2/20/2017 Referred to Environmental Regulation. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB484

HB 815, by Burkett, Dale, Rick Miller, and Paul, Relating to the regulatory analysis of rules proposed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. “Before adopting an environmental rule, the commission shall conduct a regulatory analysis that considers the costs and environmental effects and benefits expected to result from implementation of and compliance with the rule.” 2/21/2017 Referred to Environmental Regulation. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB815

25 Feb, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

New Rules at the TBPG and an Update on State Legislature Activities

At the last Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) board meeting the following new rules and amendments were adopted by unanimous consent:

Amendment to 851.29, regarding reciprocal licensure
Amendment to 851.31, regarding temporary licensure
Amendment to 851.32, regarding the continuing education program
New rule 851.35, regarding voluntary surrender of a license
New rule 851.113, regarding duty to abide by Board Order and timely pay administrative penalty
New rule 851.203, regarding default proceedings in contested case hearings scheduled with the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH)
New rule 851.204, regarding costs of administrative hearings

The adopted rules can be viewed (here) . They are also on the Rules page of the TBPG website, and in the November 18, 2016 issue of the Texas Register.