1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to a requirement that the Bureau of Economic Geology of
1-3 The University of Texas at Austin conduct a study of the East Texas
1-4 Oil Field.
1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-6 SECTION 1. Chapter 85, Natural Resources Code, is amended by
1-7 adding Subchapter L to read as follows:
1-8 SUBCHAPTER L. STUDY OF EAST TEXAS OIL FIELD
1-9 Sec. 85.401. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
1-10 (1) "Advisory committee" means the East Texas Oil
1-11 Field Advisory Committee.
1-12 (2) "Bureau" means the Bureau of Economic Geology of
1-13 The University of Texas at Austin.
1-14 Sec. 85.402. STUDY OF FIELD. The bureau shall conduct a
1-15 study of the East Texas Oil Field for the purpose of making
1-16 recommendations regarding measures that should be taken to maximize
1-17 the ultimate recovery of oil and gas from the field.
1-18 Sec. 85.403. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The advisory
1-19 committee is composed of:
1-20 (1) a member of the commission, appointed by the
1-21 commission;
1-22 (2) a member of the board of a school district,
1-23 appointed by the commission;
1-24 (3) a representative of the oil industry, appointed by
2-1 the commission;
2-2 (4) a member of the senate, appointed by the
2-3 lieutenant governor; and
2-4 (5) a member of the house of representatives,
2-5 appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
2-6 (b) A member of the advisory committee serves at the will of
2-7 the person who appointed the member.
2-8 (c) The member of the advisory committee who is the member
2-9 of the commission serves as the presiding officer of the advisory
2-10 committee.
2-11 (d) Members of the advisory committee are not entitled to
2-12 compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for actual and
2-13 necessary expenses incurred in performing their official duties as
2-14 advisory committee members.
2-15 (e) Necessary costs for the operation of the advisory
2-16 committee shall be paid from money appropriated to the commission.
2-17 (f) The advisory committee shall meet at the call of the
2-18 presiding officer.
2-19 (g) The advisory committee shall keep a public record of its
2-20 decisions at the office of the commission.
2-21 (h) The advisory committee shall advise the bureau with
2-22 regard to the study required by Section 85.402.
2-23 Sec. 85.404. REPORT. The bureau shall make an interim
2-24 report on or before January 1, 2003, and a final report on or
2-25 before September 1, 2003, to the governor, lieutenant governor, and
2-26 speaker of the house of representatives containing recommendations
2-27 regarding measures that should be taken to maximize the ultimate
3-1 recovery of oil and gas from the East Texas Oil Field.
3-2 Sec. 85.405. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires and the
3-3 advisory committee is abolished September 1, 2003.
3-4 SECTION 2. As soon as practicable on or after the effective
3-5 date of this Act:
3-6 (1) the Railroad Commission of Texas shall appoint:
3-7 (A) the member of the East Texas Oil Field
3-8 Advisory Committee who is a member of the commission;
3-9 (B) the member of the advisory committee who is
3-10 a member of the board of a school district; and
3-11 (C) the member of the advisory committee who is
3-12 a representative of the oil industry;
3-13 (2) the lieutenant governor shall appoint the member
3-14 of the advisory committee who is a member of the senate; and
3-15 (3) the speaker of the house of representatives shall
3-16 appoint the member of the advisory committee who is a member of the
3-17 house of representatives.
3-18 SECTION 3. (a) The Bureau of Economic Geology of The
3-19 University of Texas at Austin is required to conduct the study and
3-20 make the reports required by this Act only if the legislature
3-21 appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the
3-22 legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
3-23 purpose, the bureau may, but is not required to, implement this Act
3-24 using other appropriations available for the purpose.
3-25 (b) The persons required to appoint the members of the East
3-26 Texas Oil Field Advisory Committee created under this Act shall
3-27 appoint the members only if the Bureau of Economic Geology of The
4-1 University of Texas at Austin is required or chooses to implement
4-2 this Act as provided by Subsection (a) of this section.
4-3 SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2436 was passed by the House on May
4, 2001, by a non-record vote; and that the House concurred in
Senate amendments to H.B. No. 2436 on May 25, 2001, by a non-record
vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2436 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 17, 2001, by a viva-voce vote.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________________
Date
__________________________
Governor