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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the adoption of rules by the Railroad Commission of |
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Texas regulating the exploration for and production of natural gas |
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in the unincorporated areas of certain counties. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 86, Natural Resources |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 86.044 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 86.044. RULES RELATING TO EXPLORATION FOR AND |
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PRODUCTION OF GAS IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF CERTAIN COUNTIES. (a) |
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The commission shall adopt rules relating to the exploration for |
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and production of gas in the unincorporated areas of counties that |
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are located wholly or partly above a hydrocarbon-producing |
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geological formation that underlies all or part of two counties: |
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(1) that are adjacent to one another; and |
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(2) each of which has a population of more than 1.8 |
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million. |
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(b) Rules adopted under this section must promote gas |
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exploration and production while securing the quality of life and |
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existing economic interests, including property values and |
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development plans, in the unincorporated areas of the counties |
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described by Subsection (a) by: |
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(1) establishing unique and heightened standards for |
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the benefit and protection of existing residences, religious |
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institutions, schools, hospitals, and public parks; |
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(2) establishing protective measures related to |
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noise, lighting, water discharge, road damage, gas exploration and |
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production-related traffic routing and congestion, and the impact |
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on and damage to water wells resulting from drilling or production |
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operations; |
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(3) addressing the proximity of gas wells, disposal |
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facilities, compressor stations, gas treatment facilities, and |
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aboveground storage tanks to existing structures; |
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(4) addressing pipeline placement and alignment; and |
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(5) addressing vapor recovery and reduced emission |
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completions. |
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(c) In adopting rules under this section, the commission |
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shall consider ordinances adopted by municipalities in counties |
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described by Subsection (a). |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2013, the Railroad |
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Commission of Texas shall adopt rules as required by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |