BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 497

By: Wu

Energy Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Last session the Texas Legislature 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. H.B. 497 seeks to expand the applicability of that legislation.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

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. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.