SRC-SLL S.B. 1891 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1891
By: Fraser
Natural Resources
4-22-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Railroad Commission of Texas (commission) is not authorized
to charge fees to commercial users for the purchase of oil and gas data
maintained in digital formats.  The commission seeks to increase the
exploration, development, and conservation of energy supplies by providing
access to energy-related information maintained by the commission.  Part
of this effort is the development and maintenance of digital databases
that may be easily accessed through the World Wide Web or through other
flexible access capabilities.  This bill will authorize the Railroad
Commission of Texas to charge fees to commercial users for the purchase of
oil and gas data maintained in digital formats. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1891 provides regulations regarding the payment of a fee
by commercial users to the Railroad Commission of Texas for the purchase
of oil and gas data maintained in digital formats. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Railroad Commission of Texas in
SECTION 2 (Articles 6447k(a) and (d), V.T.C.S.) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Article 6447a-1, V.T.C.S., to provide that in Articles
6447b-6447k, rather than Articles 6447b-6447h, "commission" means the
Railroad Commission of Texas. 

SECTION 2. Amends Title 112, V.T.C.S., by adding Article 6447k, to
authorize the Railroad Commission of Texas (commission) to charge fees,
which it determines reasonably necessary to perform certain duties.
Requires the commission to adopt rules establishing the rates and
procedures for administering such fees.  Defines "commercial user."
Requires a fee paid under this article to be paid to the commission, which
shall deposit all fees to its account with the comptroller of public
accounts of the State of Texas.  Provides that, from such fees, the
commission is authorized to pay the certain costs relating to digital
data, excluding the cost of collecting information that may be converted
to digital formats by the commission.  Authorizes the commission to adopt
and enforce any appropriate rules or orders that it finds necessary to
administer this article. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.