SRC-TJG S.B. 1484 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1484
78R8940 MI-DBy: Ogden
Natural Resources
3/25/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) is prohibited from
accepting an organization report or approving a permit application or
certificate of compliance if a person in a position of ownership or
control of an organization has, within the past five years, held such a
position with another organization which violated certain items relating
to safety or the prevention or control of pollution.  As proposed, S.B.
1484 allows the RRC to require more organizations operating in Texas to
become compliant with RRC rules and to settle outstanding violations and
fines before being permitted to operate and prevents operators with known
histories of non-compliance from taking over wells and lease operations
for an additional two years. 

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 91.114(a), Natural Resources Code, to increase
from five years to seven years the period during which the Texas Railroad
Commission is prohibited from accepting organization reports or approving
a permit application or certificate of compliance from certain entities. 

SECTION 2.  (a) Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.

(b) Makes application of this Act prospective.