81R3684 SMH-F
 
  By: Miller of Erath H.B. No. 569
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to notice of an application for a permit to dispose of oil
  and gas waste in a commercial disposal well; creating an offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 27.034, Water Code, is amended by adding
  Subsections (a-1), (a-2), and (a-3) to read as follows:
         (a-1)  In connection with an application for a permit to
  dispose of oil and gas waste in a commercial disposal well, as
  defined by the railroad commission, the rules adopted under
  Subsection (a) must, at a minimum:
               (1)  require the applicant to give notice of the
  application to:
                     (A)  each owner of record of each surface tract
  that adjoins the tract on which the well is proposed to be located;
                     (B)  the commissioners court of the county in
  which the well is proposed to be located; and
                     (C)  any groundwater conservation district in
  which the well is proposed to be located;
               (2)  require each owner of record of a surface tract who
  receives notice of the application under Subdivision (1)(A) to give
  notice of the application to each surface lessee or purchaser under
  a contract for deed, executory contract, or other executory
  conveyance of the tract who occupies a residence located on the
  tract;
               (3)  require the applicant to publish notice of the
  application in:
                     (A)  a newspaper of general circulation in the
  county in which the well is proposed to be located; and
                     (B)  the newspaper that is published in closest
  proximity to the proposed site of the well; and
               (4)  provide each person who receives notice of the
  application under Subdivision (1) an opportunity to request a
  public hearing on the application.
         (a-2)  The failure of a person who receives notice of an
  application under Subsection (a-1)(1)(A) to give notice of the
  application to any person to whom the person is required to give
  notice under Subsection (a-1)(2) does not invalidate any permit
  issued by the railroad commission.
         (a-3)  The commission is not required to hold more than one
  public hearing on an application regardless of the number of
  persons who request a hearing.
         SECTION 2.  Section 27.105(a), Water Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  A person who knowingly or intentionally violates a
  provision of this chapter under the jurisdiction of the railroad
  commission, a rule of the railroad commission other than a rule
  adopted under Section 27.034(a-1)(2), or a term, condition, or
  provision of a permit issued by the railroad commission under this
  chapter is subject to a fine of not more than $5,000 for each
  violation and for each day of violation.  A violation under the
  jurisdiction of the commission is enforceable under Section 7.157.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.