AIPG-TX

The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) proposes amendments concerning the licensure and regulation of Professional Geoscientists in Texas. TheTBPG proposes to repeal 22 TAC §851.24, and proposes amendments to 22 TAC §§851.20, 851.22, 851.23, 851.40, and 851.41, to comply with statutory changes to Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1002, the Texas Geoscience Practice Act (the Act) by the 86th Legislature (2019) when they enacted HB 1311, which amended the Act, effective September 1, 2019. The TBPG now proposes changes to its rules to implement the statutory changes. The proposed repeal and amendments will implement the statutory removal of the requirement that applicants for a P.G. license submit references, and the removal of the statutory requirement that P.G. applications be notarized. Proposed amendments will also remove the reference requirement for applicants seeking certification as Geoscientists-in-Training to be consistent with the requirements for P.G. applicants. The amendments also re-number the subsections accordingly. For more information go to: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/July122019/Proposed%20Rules/22.EXAMINING%20BOARDS.html#46

– Henry M. Wise, P.G.

The State Legislature is now out of session.  Bills that have been passed and are awaiting the Governor’s decision are listed below, along with their current status. New information is listed in bold (3 signed by the Governor and 1 becomes effective without his signature).  All will take effect on 9/1/2019):

HB 720, by Larson and Guillen, Relating to appropriations of water for use in aquifer storage and recovery projects. Sent to the Governor, 5/26/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB720

Editorial comment:

The Texas legislative session is drawing to a close and bills are being sent to the Governor for his signature.  Once sent to him, he has 10 days to sign, veto, or allow to pass without his signature.  The most closely watched bill this year was HB 1311 (relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG)), which passed without the Governor’s signature.

I want to thank the Texas Geoscience Council (TGC) for taking on and leading the herculean task of assuring the continuation of the TBPG (full disclosure, I am on the TGC Board of Directors as the AIPG-Texas representative).  Typically, the Texas legislature will follow the Sunset Commission’s recommendations.  The Sunset Commission’s staff report for the TBPG recommended abolishment.  This recommendation took everyone by surprise and the TGC was originally founded to change this recommendation.  The TGC quickly organized a massive campaign with most of the Texas geologic organizations for a letter-writing campaign, testimony by a number of people from various Texas geological organizations and businesses, and hiring a lobbyist.  Funding for the lobbyist was provided by many geological organizations, businesses, and individuals.

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