BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.H.B. 1420

By: Orr

Energy Resources

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Drill cuttings result from the drilling of new oil and gas wells and are a mixture of the various lubricating agents put into the well during drilling and of the materials picked up and created within the well after it has been drilled.  As such, the mixture is extremely slick and can cause real problems when spilled onto roadways.  Such spillage most frequently occurs when the material is being transported away from drilling sites.

 

C.S.H.B. 1420 makes it a Class B misdemeanor for a person or the person's agent or employee to operate a motor vehicle that is used to transport a load of oil and gas drill cuttings generated from a closed loop drilling waste operation and the load is not completely sealed.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

 

C.S.H.B. 1420 amends the Transportation Code to make it a Class B misdemeanor for a person or the person's agent or employee to operate a motor vehicle that is used to transport a load of oil and gas drill cuttings generated from a closed loop drilling waste operation and the load is not completely sealed.

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2009.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1420 differs from the original by amending the Transportation Code, whereas the original amends the Natural Resources Code.

 

C.S.H.B. 1420 adds a provision not in the original to make it a Class B misdemeanor for a person or the person's agent or employee to operate a motor vehicle that is used to transport a load of oil and gas drill cuttings generated from a closed loop drilling waste operation and the load is not completely sealed.

 

C.S.H.B. 1420 removes a provision in the original requiring the Railroad Commission of Texas by rule to require a person who operates a motor vehicle that is used to transport drilling mud to equip and maintain the vehicle in a manner that prevents the drilling mud from escaping from, or being deposited on a public road or highway by, the vehicle.  The substitute removes a provision from the original authorizing the railroad commission to assess an administrative penalty against a person who violates such rule.