By Merritt H.B. No. 2436 77R6014 SMH-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 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. Not later than January 1, 2003, the 2-24 bureau shall prepare a report containing recommendations regarding 2-25 measures that should be taken to maximize the ultimate recovery of 2-26 oil and gas from the East Texas Oil Field and submit the report to 2-27 the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house 3-1 of representatives. 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. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.