78R13397 SMH-D
By: Merritt H.B. No. 183
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 183:
By: Farabee C.S.H.B. No. 183
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a requirement that the Bureau of Economic Geology of The
University of Texas at Austin conduct a study of the East Texas Oil
Field.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 85, Natural Resources Code, is amended
by adding Subchapter L to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER L. STUDY OF EAST TEXAS OIL FIELD
Sec. 85.401. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Advisory committee" means the East Texas Oil
Field Advisory Committee.
(2) "Bureau" means the Bureau of Economic Geology of
The University of Texas at Austin.
Sec. 85.402. STUDY OF FIELD. The bureau shall conduct a
study of the East Texas Oil Field for the purpose of making
comprehensive recommendations regarding measures that should be
taken to maximize the ultimate recovery of oil and gas from the
field.
Sec. 85.403. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The advisory
committee is composed of the following persons appointed by the
bureau:
(1) a member of the board of trustees of the Kilgore
Independent School District;
(2) a member of the board of trustees of the White Oak
Independent School District;
(3) a member of the board of trustees of the Pine Tree
Independent School District;
(4) a member of the board of trustees of Kilgore Junior
College or an employee of Kilgore Junior College; and
(5) three representatives of the oil industry.
(b) The advisory committee shall advise the bureau with
regard to the study required by Section 85.402.
Sec. 85.404. REPORT. The bureau shall make a report on or
before January 1, 2005, to the governor, lieutenant governor, and
speaker of the house of representatives containing comprehensive
recommendations regarding measures that should be taken to maximize
the ultimate recovery of oil and gas from the East Texas Oil Field.
Sec. 85.405. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires and the
advisory committee is abolished September 1, 2005.
SECTION 2. (a) The Bureau of Economic Geology of The
University of Texas at Austin is required to implement this Act only
if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that
purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money
specifically for that purpose, the bureau may, but is not required
to, implement this Act using other appropriations available for the
purpose.
(b) If the operators of oil or gas wells in the East Texas
Oil Field implement the recommendations contained in the report
required by Section 85.404, Natural Resources Code, as added by
this Act and that implementation results in an increase in the
amount of oil and gas produced from the field, the legislature shall
provide for recovery of the cost of implementing this Act from the
owners or operators of the wells in the manner the legislature
determines to be most appropriate.
SECTION 3. 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.