BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 341
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Texas Railroad Commission (railroad commission) has primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline industry, natural gas utilities, the LP-gas industry, and coal and uranium surface mining operations. The rail oversight functions of the railroad commission have been transferred to the Texas Department of Transportation.
As proposed, S.B. 341 renames the railroad commission as the Texas Energy Commission.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 81.001, Natural Resources Code, to redefine "commission" and "commissioner."
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 81, Natural Resources Code, by adding Section 81.002, as follows:
Sec. 81.002. TEXAS ENERGY COMMISSION. (a) Provides that the Railroad Commission of Texas (railroad commission) is renamed the Texas Energy Commission (energy commission).
(b) Provides that a reference in law to the railroad commission means the energy commission.
SECTION 3. (a) Provides that effective January 1, 2010, the name of the railroad commission is changed to the energy commission, and all powers, duties, rights, and obligations of the railroad commission are the powers, duties, rights, and obligations of the energy commission; a member of the railroad commission is a member of the energy commission; and any appropriation to the railroad commission is an appropriation to the energy commission.
(b) Provides that effective January 1, 2010, a reference in law to the railroad commission is a reference to the energy commission.
(c) Provides that the energy commission is the successor to the railroad commission in all respects. Provides that all personnel, equipment, data, documents, facilities, contracts, items, other property, rules, decisions, and proceedings of or involving the railroad commission are unaffected by the change in the name of the agency.
(d) Requires the railroad commission to adopt a timetable for phasing in the change of the agency's name so as to minimize the fiscal impact of the name change. Authorizes the railroad commission, until January 1, 2010, to allow for phasing in the change of the agency's name and in accordance with the timetable established as required by this section, to perform any act authorized by law for the railroad commission as the railroad commission or as the energy commission. Provides that any act of the railroad commission, acting as the energy commission after the effective date of this Act and before January 1, 2010, is an act of the railroad commission.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.