Honorable Joe Deshotel, Chair, House Committee On Land & Resource Management
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1496 by Taylor, Van (Relating to governmental actions affecting private property rights in certain oil and gas wells.), As Introduced
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code to include any interest in an oil or natural gas well in the definition of “private real property” that is not owned by the federal government, this state, or a political subdivision of this state. A political subdivision could not impose or enforce a limitation that would prevent or prohibit the development of an oil or gas well that has been permitted by the Texas Railroad Commission, unless it was a reasonable standard relating to visual aesthetics; noise abatement; or hours of operation.
According to the Texas Railroad Commission, no fiscal impact is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
There could be a fiscal impact to a political subdivision that currently has an ordinance or rule regarding the development of permitted oil or gas wells; however, the amounts are not anticipated to be significant.