BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2039 By: Cook 4-3-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Section 89.043, Natural Resources Code, regards the salvaging of abandoned oilfield equipment by the Railroad Commission and requires the Commission to send a notice to the last known operator of an abandoned well. Subsection (e) currently requires the Commission to file a copy of this notice in the county clerk's office of the county in which the well is located. The clerk is required to record the notice in the real property records of the county. In addition to information about the plugging of the well, the notice also must state the Commission's intention to salvage and sell any abandoned oilfield equipment pursuant to Section 89.085. PURPOSE H.B. 2039 would clarify that the notice need not be acknowledged and that the Commission would not be required to pay a fee for the filing or recording of the notice. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1: Amends Section 89.043(e), Natural Resources Code, relating to plugging notices filed by the Commission, to specifically state that the notice filed with the county need not be acknowledged. Also, counties are prohibited from charging the Commission for filing or recording the notice. SECTION 2: Emergency Clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION H.B. 2039 was considered by the Energy Resources Committee in a public hearing on April 3, 1995. Brenda Loudermilk, representing the Railroad Commission of Texas testified neutrally on the bill. No one testified for or against the bill. The bill was reported favorably without amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed and be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 PNV, and 3 absent.