88R7101 ANG-F
 
  By: Zwiener H.B. No. 2049
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the issuance of a permit by the Public Utility
  Commission of Texas for the routing of certain oil or gas pipelines;
  authorizing administrative penalties.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The Utilities Code is amended by adding Title 7
  to read as follows:
  TITLE 7. PIPELINE REGULATION
  CHAPTER 351. OIL OR GAS PIPELINE ROUTE PERMITS
         Sec. 351.0101.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "commission"
  means the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
         Sec. 351.0102.  APPLICABILITY. (a) This chapter applies
  only to a pipeline that transports gas or petroleum and is owned,
  operated, or managed by:
               (1)  a gas corporation governed by Chapter 181; or
               (2)  a common carrier subject to Chapter 111, Natural
  Resources Code.
         (b)  This chapter does not apply to a pipeline:
               (1)  the routing of which is subject solely to the
  jurisdiction of a federal agency;
               (2)  that is a gas distribution pipeline facility; or
               (3)  that is a sour gas pipeline facility, as defined by
  Section 121.451.
         Sec. 351.0103.  ROUTE PERMIT; MANDAMUS. (a) A person may
  not begin construction of a pipeline before the person obtains from
  the commission a permit that authorizes the route of the pipeline.
         (b)  The commission may approve an application and grant a
  permit only if the commission determines that the route of the
  pipeline, if reasonable, moderates negative effects on the affected
  community and landowners after consideration of:
               (1)  community values;
               (2)  recreational and park areas;
               (3)  historical and aesthetic values;
               (4)  environmental integrity;
               (5)  public safety; and
               (6)  economic development.
         (c)  The commission may:
               (1)  grant the permit as requested;
               (2)  grant the permit for the construction of a portion
  of the requested pipeline; or
               (3)  deny the permit.
         (d)  The commission must grant or deny a permit not later
  than the first anniversary of the date the application for the
  permit is filed. If the commission does not grant or deny the
  permit on or before that date, a party may seek a writ of mandamus in
  a district court of Travis County to compel the commission to take
  action under Subsection (c).
         Sec. 351.0104.  ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES. (a) The
  commission and the attorney general may enforce the provisions of
  this chapter in the manner authorized for the judicial or
  administrative enforcement of a provision of Title 2 by Subchapter
  B, Chapter 15, including by imposing administrative penalties.
         (b)  A person may complain to the commission about a claimed
  violation of a provision of this chapter in the manner provided by
  Section 15.051.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.