LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 7, 2003

TO:	Honorable George "Buddy" West, Chair, House Committee on Energy Resources
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3471 by Keffer, Jim (Relating to jurisdiction over a suit for damages brought by a landowner or producer of oil or gas.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would allow a party who owns an interest in property or production that may be damaged by another party committing unlawful conversion of minerals to sue for and recover damages.

The bill would also provide that no proceedings in the Railroad Commission shall impair, abridge, or delay a cause of action for damages or other relief that a landowner, operator, or other party with interest may assert against a party for violating a Commission rule or order, any person committing unlawful conversion of minerals, or any other judgment.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:	455 Railroad Commission
LBB Staff:	JK, CL, TL