BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1106

By: Phillips

Energy Resources

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that the Railroad Commission of Texas was formed over a century ago and initially charged with the oversight of railroads in Texas. The parties further note that over time the railroad commission was charged instead with regulating the oil and gas industries in Texas and that the railroad commission no longer has jurisdiction or authority over railroads. Understandably, many people are perplexed by the name of the railroad commission since the commission does not regulate railroads anymore but rather oversees the oil and gas industries. C.S.H.B. 1106 seeks to remedy this issue.

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

C.S.H.B. 1106 amends the Natural Resources Code to rename the Railroad Commission of Texas as the Texas Energy Commission.

EFFECTIVE DATE

The date on which the constitutional amendment changing the name of the Railroad Commission of Texas to the Texas Energy Commission takes effect, if approved by the voters.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 1106 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1. Section 81.001, Natural Resources Code, is amended.	SECTION 1. Same as introduced version.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 81, Natural Resources Code, is amended.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.
SECTION 3. (a) On the effective date of this Act: (1) the name of the Railroad Commission of Texas is changed to the Texas Energy Commission, and all powers, duties, rights, and obligations of the Railroad Commission of Texas are the powers, duties, rights, and obligations of the Texas Energy Commission; (2) a member of the Railroad Commission of Texas is a member of the Texas Energy Commission; and (3) any appropriation to the Railroad Commission of Texas is an appropriation to the Texas Energy Commission. (b) On and after the effective date of this Act, a reference in law to the Railroad Commission of Texas is a reference to the Texas Energy Commission. (c) The Texas Energy Commission is the successor to the Railroad Commission of Texas in all respects. All personnel, equipment, data, documents, facilities, contracts, items, other property, rules, decisions, and proceedings of or involving the Railroad Commission of Texas are unaffected by the change in the name of the agency.	SECTION 3. (a) On the effective date of this Act: (1) the name of the Railroad Commission of Texas is changed to the Texas Energy Commission, and all powers, duties, rights, and obligations of the Railroad Commission of Texas are the powers, duties, rights, and obligations of the Texas Energy Commission; (2) a member of the Railroad Commission of Texas is a member of the Texas Energy Commission; and (3) any appropriation to the Railroad Commission of Texas is an appropriation to the Texas Energy Commission. (b) On and after the effective date of this Act, a reference in law to the Railroad Commission of Texas is a reference to the Texas Energy Commission. (c) The Texas Energy Commission is the agency formerly known as the Railroad Commission of Texas in all respects. All personnel, equipment, data, documents, facilities, contracts, items, other property, rules, decisions, and proceedings of or involving the Railroad Commission of Texas are unaffected by the change in the name of the agency.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect on the date on which the constitutional amendment proposed by the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, changing the name of the Railroad Commission of Texas to the Texas Energy Commission takes effect. If that amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act has no effect.	SECTION 4. Same as introduced version.