LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 18, 2009

TO:	Honorable Jim Keffer, Chair, House Committee on Energy Resources
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB540 by Estes (Relating to notice of an application for a permit to dispose of oil and gas waste in a disposal well.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would increaese the application requirements and the amount of time required for the  Railroad Commission (RRC) to process an application for a commercial disposal well. It would require that the RRC provide a copy of such applications to the groundwater conservation district in the area where the well is to be located. The bill would provide that the RRC wait 30 days before issuing such permits, instead of 15 days under current law. The additional waiting time is not expected to result in a significant fiscal impact to the Railroad Commission.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

455 Railroad Commission, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality

LBB Staff:

JOB, SD, ZS, TL