BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 2039
                                                 By: Cook (Nixon)
                                                Natural Resources
                                                         05-19-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Section 89.043, Natural Resources Code, regards the salvaging of
abandoned oil field equipment by the Texas Railroad Commission
(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 oil field equipment pursuant to
Section 89.085.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2039 provides that a notice that the Texas
Railroad Commission intends to plug a delinquent salt water, oil,
or gas well need not be acknowledged by the county with which it
was filed and prohibits the commission from being charged a fee by
the county for the filing or recording of the notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant
rulemaking authority to a state officer, agency, or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 89.043(e), Natural Resources Code, to
provide that a notice that the Texas Railroad Commission
(commission) intends to plug a delinquent salt water, oil, or gas
well need not be acknowledged by the county with which it was
filed.  Prohibits the commission from being charged a fee by the
county for the filing or recording of the notice.

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: 90 days after adjournment.