SRC-SEW C.S.S.B. 947 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 947 77R10315 SMH-DBy: Brown, J. E. "Buster" Natural Resources 3/22/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the oil-field cleanup fund is funded by statutorily mandated fees and is unable to take advantage of loan programs offered at other state agencies designed to protect Texas waters. C.S.S.B. 947 enables the Railroad Commission of Texas to seek and repay such loans for the purpose of plugging abandoned oil wells. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 91.111(c), Natural Resources Code, to provide that the oil-field cleanup fund (fund) consists of, among other monies, the proceeds of loans made to or other indebtedness incurred by the Railroad Commission of Texas (commission). SECTION 2. Amends Section 91.112(a), Natural Resources Code, to authorize money in the fund to be used by the Railroad Commission of Texas (commission) or its employees or agents for certain purposes, including repaying a loan made to or other indebtedness incurred by the commission, the proceeds of which have been deposited to the credit of the fund. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends As Filed S.B. 947, Section 91.111(c), Natural Resources Code, to replace the text, "the proceeds of loans or other indebtedness," with "the proceeds of loans made to or other indebtedness incurred by the commission." SECTION 2. Amends As Filed S.B. 947, Section 91.112(a), Natural Resources Code, to replace the text "repayment of a loan or other indebtedness, the proceeds of which have been deposited to the fund" with "repaying a loan made to or other indebtedness incurred by the commission, the proceeds of which have been deposited to the credit of the fund." SECTION 3. No changes.