RESOLUTION ANALYSIS

C.S.H.J.R. 76

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.J.R. 76 seeks to remedy this issue.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

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

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.J.R. 76 proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to rename the Railroad Commission of Texas as the Texas Energy Commission.

ELECTION DATE

The constitutional amendment proposed by this joint resolution will be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8, 2016.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.J.R. 76 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 resolution.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1. Section 30(b), Article XVI, Texas Constitution, is amended to read as follows: (b) When a Texas Energy [Railroad] Commission is created by law it shall be composed of three Commissioners who shall be elected by the people at a general election for State officers, and their terms of office shall be six years. And one [Railroad] Commissioner shall be elected every two years. In case of vacancy in said office the Governor of the State shall fill said vacancy by appointment until the next general election.	SECTION 1. Section 30(b), Article XVI, Texas Constitution, is amended to read as follows: (b) The Texas Energy [When a Railroad] Commission [is created by law it] shall be composed of three Commissioners who shall be elected by the people at a general election for State officers, and their terms of office shall be six years. And one [Railroad] Commissioner shall be elected every two years. In case of vacancy in said office the Governor of the State shall fill said vacancy by appointment until the next general election.
SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2015. The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment to change the name of the Railroad Commission of Texas to the Texas Energy Commission."	SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8, 2016. The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment to change the name of the Railroad Commission of Texas to the Texas Energy Commission."