SRC-JEC H.B. 3348 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3348
77R14630 SMH-FBy: Counts (Duncan)
Natural Resources
5/11/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Price volatility makes it difficult for the oil and gas industry to provide
needed job training for field personnel. Currently, the industry has a
shortage of employees. There is a need for well-financed, ongoing training
programs for employees in oil and gas industry. A successful public
education program concerning such industries will serve the people of the
state and provide understanding concerning the prices of energy.  H.B. 3348
creates the Texas Energy Resource Council and the energy resource account.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the comptroller of public
accounts in SECTION 1 (Section 5.04, Article 4413(47g), Title 70, V.T.C.S.)
of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Title 70, Revised Statutes, by adding Article 4413(47g),
as follows: 

 Art. 4413(47g).  TEXAS ENERGY RESOURCE COUNCIL

PART 1.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 1.01.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "condensate," "first purchaser," "gas,"
"oil," "person," and "producer."  

PART 2.  TEXAS ENERGY RESOURCE COUNCIL

Sec. 2.01.  COMPOSITION OF COUNCIL. Sets forth the composition of the Texas
Energy Resource Council (council). 

Sec. 2.02.  TERMS; VACANCIES. Provides for council members' terms and the
filling of a vacancy on the council.  

Sec. 2.03.  OFFICERS.  Provides for the election of officers of the
council.    

Sec. 2.04.  COMPENSATION.  Prohibits a member of the council from receiving
compensation for service performed for the council.  Entitles a member to
reimbursement, subject to any applicable limitation provided by the General
Appropriations Act, for actual or necessary expenses incurred in performing
services as a member of the council.  Provides that money paid to a council
member under this section shall be paid from the energy resource account. 

PART 3.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF COUNCIL

Sec. 3.01.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF COUNCIL.  Sets forth powers and duties  of
the council. 

PART 4.  ENERGY RESOURCE ACCOUNT

Sec. 4.01.  ENERGY RESOURCE ACCOUNT.  Sets forth provisions regarding the
energy resource account.  

PART 5.  ASSESSMENT

Sec. 5.01.  IMPOSITION OF ASSESSMENT.  Sets forth provisions regarding the
imposition of assessments on producers.   

Sec. 5.02.  DEPOSIT OF ASSESSMENT.  Sets forth provisions regarding the
deposit of assessments.  

Sec. 5.03.  COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENT.  Sets forth provisions regarding the
collection of assessments.   

Sec. 5.04.  REFUND OF ASSESSMENT.  Sets forth provisions regarding refunds
of assessments. 

SECTION 2. (a) Requires the governor, as soon as practicable after
receiving the lists described by Section 2.01(c), Article 4413(47g),
Revised Statutes, as added by this Act, to appoint persons to serve on the
Texas Energy Resource Council as required by Sections 2.01(b) and (c),
Article 4413(47g), Revised Statutes, as added by this Act.  Requires the
governor to designate four persons to serve on the council for terms
expiring February 1, 2003, four persons to serve on the council for terms
expiring February 1, 2005, and four persons to serve on the council for
terms expiring February 1, 2007. 

(b)  Requires, as soon as practicable after taking office, the members of
the Texas Energy Resource Council appointed under Sections 2.01(b) and (c),
Article 4413(47g), Revised Statutes, as added by this Act, to appoint one
person to serve on the council for a term expiring February 1, 2003, one
person to serve on the council for a term expiring February 1, 2005, and
one person to serve on the council for a term expiring February 1, 2007. 

SECTION 3. (a) Effective date: September 1, 2001, except as otherwise
provided by this section. 

(b)  Provides that Part 5 of Article 4413(47g), Revised Statutes, as added
by this Act, takes effect January 1, 2002, and applies only to oil, gas,
and condensate produced and saved on or after that date.