BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3346

By: Farabee

Energy Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, a person who is acquiring a natural gas pipeline right-of-way may represent to a property owner that the person has the right to acquire the right-of-way by the use of eminent domain.  A change in statute is necessary to prevent a person acquiring pipeline right-of way and is not a gas utility as defined by the Utility Code, from abusing the  power of eminent domain. 

H.B. 3346 redefines "gas utility" to include a certain person representing to a property owner that the person has the right to acquire right-of-way by the use of eminent domain. 

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

H.B. 3346 amends the Utilities Code to redefine "gas utility" to include a person who owns, operates, or manages a natural gas pipeline for which the person represented to a property owner that the person has the right to acquire right-of-way by the use of eminent domain.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.