The Wise Report
The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) proposes to amend §3.16, relating to Log and Completion or Plugging Report, to change the deadline for operators to file well completion reports to 90 days after completion of the well or within 150 days after the date on which the drilling operation is completed, whichever is earlier. mission.
For more information go to: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/February132015/
The following bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists have been filed. New information is listed in bold (three new bills listed):
HB 30, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB30
HB 163, by Larson, Relating to interstate cooperation to address regional water issues. Sets up the Southwest Water Commission to discuss water needs of the region with other states and Mexico. 2/9/2015 Referred to Natural Resources. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB163
HB 190, by Burkett, Relating to the regulatory analysis of rules proposed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Sets up guidelines for TCEQ analyses. 2/10/2015 Referred to Environmental Regulation. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB190
HB 201, by Leach, Identical to companion bill SB 109, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. 2/12/2015 Referred to Natural Resources. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB201
HB 281, by Simmons, Relating to a limitation on the expansion of certain landfills. This is for Type I municipal solid waste landfills that are located in a municipality in a county with a population of more than 600,000 persons and not more than 500 feet from another municipality. 2/11/2105 Referred to Environmental Regulation. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB281
HB 835, by Larson, Relating to research, development and utilization of brackish groundwater resources. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB835
HB 836, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB836
HB 898, by Larson, Relating to the confidentiality of certain water well reports. Filed 1/23/2015. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB898
HB 930, by Miller and Doug, Relating to water well drillers and pump installers; authorizing fees. Copies of well logs must also be sent to the local groundwater conservation district. Filed 1/26/2015. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB930
HB 1113, by Clardy, Relating to the standard of review for a determination of standing in a contested case hearing conducted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Filed 2/3/2015. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB1113
HB 1191, by Isaac, Relating to the regulation of commercial development of groundwater in certain areas. Filed 2/6/2015. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB1191
HB 1232, by Luciio III, Relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board regarding the mapping of groundwater in confined and unconfined aquifers. Filed 2/9/2015. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB1232
HB 1392, by Bell, Relating to the recovery of stranded oil, gas, or oil and gas from depleting Cenozoic Era reservoirs. The Texas Water Development Board shall conduct a study to define the quality and quantity of groundwater in Texas and submit the report by December 31, 2016. Filed 2/12/2015. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB1392
HB 1635, by Pickett, Relating to the management of groundwater, including the classification of and the obtaining of information regarding groundwater and the formulation of desired future conditions by a groundwater conservation district. A groundwater classification system will be developed that’s based on salinity and takes into account total dissolved solids, geographic location and other factors determined to be relevant. Filed 2/19/2015. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB1635
HB 1642, by Guillen, Relating to the rights, remedies, and liability of certain owners and operators of environmentally contaminated property; authorizing a fee. Off-site contamination must be reported to the owner of the affected property by sending a copy of the final assessment report via certified mail. The affected property owner must bring suit for damages not later than 10 years after the date of notice. If the site isn’t remediated within 15 years, deed recordation must be performed until the site has been cleaned up. Filed 2/19/2015. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB1642
SB 77, by Ellis, Relating to the development of a climate adaptation plan by certain entities. By 9/1/2016 twelve governmental entities, including the TCEQ, General Land Office, and the Texas Water Development Board, and every four years thereafter, shall publish a climate adaptation plan that will assess the entity’s role with respect to climate change. 1/26/2015 Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB77
SB 78, by Ellis, Relating to the matters to be considered in developing the state water plan. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. Future water availability and water use must be considered. Availability includes conservation, purification and reuse. 1/26/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB78
SB 109, by Taylor and Van, Identical to companion bill HB 201, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. Future water availability and water use must be considered. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. 1/27/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB109
SB 118, by Taylor and Van, Relating to unit operations for oil, gas, or oil and gas production from depleting reservoirs or carbon dioxide storage; authorizing a fee. 1/27/2015 Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB118
SB 253, by Ellis, Relating to applications for permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain new or expanded facilities in certain low-income and minority communities. 1/28/2015 Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB253
SB 413, by Seliger, Relating to qualifications for membership on the Texas Water Development Board. “The board is composed of three members who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. One member must have experience in the field of engineering, one member must have experience in the field of public or private finance, and one member must have experience in the field of production agriculture.” 2/4/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB413
SB 440, by Burton, Relating to the authority of a county or municipality to prohibit hydraulic fracturing treatment. A county or municipality may not prohibit hydraulic fracturing treatment of oil or gas wells. 2/9/2015 Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB440
SB 517, by Uresti, Relating to notice of an application for a permit to drill an injection well in the territory of a groundwater conservation district. 2/18/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB517
SB 521, by Fraser, Relating to the period for which the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality may grant or renew an emergency authorization relating to the use of state water. 2/18/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB521
SB 611, by Perry, Relating to the confidentiality of certain water well reports. Water well withdrawal reports will be kept confidential if the owner submits a written request. Filed 2/17/2015. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB611
I’ll be updating this list in the future, throughout the upcoming legislative session.
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report