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AN ACT
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relating to the authority of the Railroad Commission of Texas to |
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designate certain persons as the operator of an orphaned oil or gas |
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well. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 89.047(a)(1-a), Natural Resources Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(1-a) "Geothermal energy [Energy] conservation well" |
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means a well used for the retention of energy that may be used to |
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provide dispatchable generation of electricity for the power grid. |
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A geothermal energy conservation well is not a battery energy |
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storage resource. |
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SECTION 2. Section 89.047(f), Natural Resources Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(f) The commission shall designate the person as the |
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operator of the well if the person files with the commission: |
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(1) a factually supported claim based on a recognized |
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legal theory to a continuing possessory right in: |
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(A) the mineral estate accessed by the well, as |
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established by a current oil and gas lease, a recorded deed |
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conveying a fee interest in the mineral estate, or any other |
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documentation of an interest in the mineral estate; |
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(B) the geothermal energy and associated |
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resources estate accessed by the well, as established by a current |
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geothermal lease, a recorded deed conveying a fee interest in the |
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geothermal estate, or any other documentation of an interest in the |
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geothermal estate; or |
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(C) the geologic space accessed by the well for |
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the purpose of a geothermal [an] energy conservation well, as |
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established by a recorded deed conveying a fee interest in the space |
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accessed by the well or any other documentation of an interest in |
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that space; |
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(2) a completed certificate of compliance; and |
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(3) a nonrefundable fee in the amount of $250. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1762 passed the Senate on |
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April 16, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1762 passed the House on |
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May 21, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 0, two |
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present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |