Amend CSSB 18 (house committee printing) by inserting the following new section in Section 1 of the bill on page 8 between lines 2 and 3:

Sec. 2206.103. SUSPENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN GAS CORPORATIONS. (a) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) or other law, the authority of a gas corporation to exercise the power of eminent domain for a project related to constructing a gathering or transmission pipeline for transporting gas for a single producer is suspended beginning September 1, 2011, pending the recommendation of the Comptroller under subsection (b).

(b) The Comptroller shall conduct a study regarding the authority to condemn property under Section 181.004, Utilities Code. The study shall include:

(1) an analysis of the costs and benefits for private landowners, commercial enterprises, and the state of Texas;

(2) an assessment of the impact of the authority on private property rights in the state; and

(3) a recommendation for retaining, eliminating, or amending the authority.

(c) Not later than December 31, 2012, the comptroller shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the presiding officers of the appropriate standing committees of the senate and the house of representatives, and the Texas Legislative Council the results of the report conducted under subsection (b), including the recommendation issued under subsection (b)(3).