Enrolled Bill Summary

 

House Bill 3837	House Author:  Gonzalez Toureilles et al.
Effective:  9-1-07	Senate Sponsor:  Hegar

            House Bill 3837 amends the Natural Resources Code to add exploration for minerals to the class of activities covered under the Texas Uranium Exploration, Surface Mining, and Reclamation Act and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of and regulation by the Railroad Commission of Texas.  The bill prohibits any exploration activity without an exploration permit issued by the commission and sets forth provisions for the permitting process, including provisions listing activities that fall within the scope of such permit.  Under certain conditions, the bill also assigns to the commission jurisdiction over uranium exploration holes and cased exploration wells completed under a proper permit.  The bill authorizes the commission to impose an application fee to cover the costs associated with the uranium exploration permitting process and requires the commission, on receiving an application for an exploration permit, to notify certain elected officials and governmental entities with jurisdiction in the area where permitted exploration will occur.  The bill further requires recipients of an exploration permit to provide certain geologic, hydrologic, water quality, and well information to the commission.