84R818 YDB-D

By: White of Tyler H.B. No. 251

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study and report on the feasibility of authorizing the Railroad Commission of Texas or another state regulatory agency to process certain federal oil and gas drilling permit applications.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "commission" means the Railroad Commission of Texas.

SECTION 2. STUDY. (a) The commission shall conduct a study to evaluate the feasibility of authorizing the commission or another state regulatory agency to establish a program for processing applications for permits to drill or reenter oil or gas wells located on land the leasing of the minerals beneath which is administered by the Bureau of Land Management of the United States Department of the Interior with the consent of that agency or under an agreement between that agency and this state.

(b) In conducting the study under Subsection (a) of this section, the commission shall:

(1) evaluate and identify sources available to fund the program described by Subsection (a) of this section; and

(2) consider the ability and availability of the commission or another state regulatory agency to successfully process the federal permit applications in a timely manner.

SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2016, the commission shall submit to the legislature a written report containing the findings of the study conducted under this Act and the commission's recommendations for any legislation or other action necessary to implement the program described by Section 2(a) of this Act.

SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2017.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.