BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4034

By: Darby

Appropriations

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The State of Texas currently levies a per-barrel tax on crude petroleum production, revenue from which naturally fluctuates with production volume. Interested parties note that these fluctuations coincide with demands on the Railroad Commission of Texas for additional inspectors and that a dedication of this revenue to the oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund could be used by the railroad commission for any purpose related to the regulation of oil and gas development. H.B. 4034 seeks to provide for such a dedication.

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. 4034 amends the Natural Resources Code to specify that revenue derived from the tax levied on crude petroleum production is to be deposited in the oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund within the general revenue fund.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.