The Wise Report
Texas State Legislature is Now in Session: Bills of Potential Interest
The State Legislature is now in session. The following is a list of bills of potential interest to geologists. 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. Filed 12/2/2016. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB484
HB 815, by Burkett, 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.” Filed 1/4/2017. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB815
SB 177, by Van, Taylor, Relating to unit operations for oil, gas, or oil and gas production from depleting reservoirs or carbon dioxide storage; authorizing a fee.
1/25/2107 Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=SB177
SB 189, by Uresti, Relating to notice of an application for a permit to drill certain injection wells within a certain distance of a groundwater conservation district. “A person making application to the railroad commission for a permit for an injection well to which this subchapter applies the proposed location of which is in the territory of or within 10 miles of the boundaries of a groundwater conservation district shall: (1) submit a copy of the application to the governing body of each such groundwater conservation district; and (2) submit with the application evidence showing that the applicant has complied with Subdivision (1).
1/25/2017 Referred to Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=SB189