By Craddick H.C.R. No. 237 74R14318 BNL-F HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, Texas faces both challenges and opportunities in the 1-2 pursuit of state energy and natural resource policies to provide 1-3 for the future prosperity of its citizens; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Oil and gas production currently provides less than 1-5 seven percent of state revenue, when as recently as 1980 the 1-6 contribution of the petroleum industry was far more sizable, 1-7 reaching 28 percent; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Declining revenues over the same period have meant 1-9 a 12 percent drop in the industry's share of the energy market as 1-10 unstable prices, government regulation, technological change, and 1-11 globalization have combined to render damaging effects; now, 1-12 therefore, be it 1-13 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 1-14 hereby direct the Railroad Commission of Texas and comptroller of 1-15 public accounts to conduct a study to determine the overall impact 1-16 of the present statutory and regulatory framework for natural 1-17 resources, including tax-related and other incentives, on the 1-18 state, its energy industry, and the market for oil, gas, and other 1-19 minerals; and, be it further 1-20 RESOLVED, That the commission and comptroller, using existing 1-21 staff and budgetary resources, commence the study on the effective 1-22 date of this resolution; and, be it further 1-23 RESOLVED, That on conclusion of the study, the commission and 1-24 comptroller make recommendations to appropriate legislative and 2-1 regulatory agencies toward maximizing the value, economic 2-2 contribution, and long-range availability and use of Texas energy 2-3 and mineral resources; and, be it further 2-4 RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official 2-5 copy of this resolution to members of the Railroad Commission of 2-6 Texas and to the comptroller of public accounts.