AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
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The 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, passed legislation relating to the installation, maintenance, operation, and relocation of saltwater pipeline facilities that helped to set standards for the placement of a saltwater pipeline on a right-of-way. Interested parties note that the resulting expanded use of saltwater pipelines has increased safety and reduced the use of oversized trucks on smaller county roads. |
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During rulemaking, there were discussions about expanding the law to allow for water to be brought to production sites. H.B. 497 allows for non-produced water lines to also be installed on public roads or rights-of-way |
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H.B. 497 amends the Natural Resources Code to expand the definition of "saltwater pipeline facility," as applicable to statutory provisions governing such a facility located in the vicinity of a public road, to include a pipeline facility that conducts water that contains salt and other substances and is intended to be used in drilling or operating a well used in the exploration for or production of oil or gas, including an injection well used for enhanced recovery operations. |
H.B. 497 amends current law relating to the applicability of the law governing saltwater pipeline facilities located in the vicinity of public roads.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 91.901(1), Natural Resources Code, to redefine "saltwater pipeline facility" to mean a pipeline facility that conducts water that contains salt and other substances and is intended to be used in drilling or operating a well used in the exploration for or production of oil or gas, including an injection well used for enhanced recovery operations, or is produced during drilling or operating an oil, gas, or other type of well. Makes a nonsubstantive change.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.