Amend CSHB 2020 as follows:
(1) Strike page 3, lines 19-26, and substitute the following:
(5) a nonrefundable annual fee equal to seven [12-1/2]
percent of the bond that otherwise would be required.
(2) Strike page 4, lines 6-8, and substitute the following:
(d) This subsection does not apply to the operation of bay
or offshore wells or the storage, handling, treatment, reclamation,
or disposal of oil and gas waste. A person who engages in more than
one activity or operation for which a bond or alternate form of
financial security is required under this subchapter is not
required to file a separate bond or alternate form of financial
security for each activity or operation in which the person is
engaged. The person is required to file a bond or alternate form of
financial security only in the amount required for the activity or
operation in which the person engages for which a bond or alternate
form of financial security in the greatest amount is required. The
bond or alternate form of financial security filed covers all of the
activities and operations for which a bond or alternate form of
financial security is required under this subchapter.
(3) On page 4, line 9, strike "January 1, 2006" and
substitute "September 1, 2004".
(4) On page 4, line 22, following the semicolon, add "or".
(5) Strike page 4, line 23, through page 6, line 2, and
substitute the following:
(4) a nonrefundable annual fee [of $1,000, if:
[(A) the commission determines that individual
and blanket bonds as specified by Subdivisions (1) and (2) are not
obtainable at reasonable prices; and
[(B) the person can demonstrate to the commission
an acceptable record of compliance with all commission rules,
orders, licenses, permits, or certificates that relate to safety or
the prevention or control of pollution for the previous 48 months
and the person and, if a firm, partnership, joint stock
association, corporation, or other organization, its officers,
directors, general partners, or owners of more than 25 percent
ownership interest or any trustee:
[(i) has no outstanding violations of such
commission rules, orders, licenses, permits, or certificates;
[(ii) has paid all administrative, civil,
and criminal penalties, if any, relating to any violation of such
commission rules, orders, licenses, permits, or certificates; and
[(iii) has paid all reimbursements of any
costs and expenses incurred by the commission in relation to any
violation of such commission rules, orders, licenses, permits, or
certificates; or
[(5) a nonrefundable annual fee] equal to:
(A) eight [12-1/2] percent of the bond that
otherwise would be required if the financial security is required
to be filed before September 1, 2005;
(B) nine percent of the bond that otherwise would
be required if the financial security is required to be filed on or
after September 1, 2005, and before September 1, 2006; and
(C) 10 percent of the bond that otherwise would
be required if the financial security is required to be filed on or
after September 1, 2006.
(6) Strike page 6, lines 9-11, and substitute the following:
(d) This subsection does not apply to the operation of bay
or offshore wells or the storage, handling, treatment, reclamation,
or disposal of oil and gas waste. A person who engages in more than
one activity or operation for which a bond or alternate form of
financial security is required under this subchapter is not
required to file a separate bond or alternate form of financial
security for each activity or operation in which the person is
engaged. The person is required to file a bond or alternate form of
financial security only in the amount required for the activity or
operation in which the person engages for which a bond or alternate
form of financial security in the greatest amount is required. The
bond or alternate form of financial security filed covers all of the
activities and operations for which a bond or alternate form of
financial security is required under this subchapter.
(7) On page 6, at the end of line 15, insert "who operates
wells".
(8) On page 6, lines 19 and 20, strike "10 or fewer wells or
performs other operations" and substitute "at least one well but
not more than 10 wells [10 or fewer wells or performs other
operations]".
(9) Strike page 7, line 8, through page 9, line 17.
(10) Strike page 9, lines 23-26, and substitute the
following:
"shall require the party acquiring the well to provide financial
security by means of a [file a new] bond, letter of credit, or cash
deposit in an appropriate amount as provided by Section
91.104(b)(1), (2), or (3), and the financial security of the
prior".
(11) On page 10, line 2, strike "the new" and substitute "a
[the new]".
(12) Strike page 10, line 11.
(13) On page 10, line 12, strike "(b)" and substitute
"SECTION 8."
(14) On page 10, at the end of the bill, add a new SECTION to
read as follows:
SECTION 9. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.
(15) Renumber SECTIONS of the bill as appropriate.