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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a review and report by the Railroad Commission of Texas |
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regarding the oversight and enforcement of unpermitted discharges |
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of oil and gas waste or of other substances or materials associated |
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with certain operations or activities regulated by the commission. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) In this Act: |
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(1) "Commission" means the Railroad Commission of |
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Texas. |
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(2) "Oil and gas waste" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 91.1011, Natural Resources Code. |
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(b) Not later than September 1, 2018, the commission shall: |
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(1) review the commission's rules regarding the |
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prevention, reporting, and documentation of unpermitted discharges |
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of oil and gas waste or of any other substance or material |
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associated with any operation or activity regulated by the |
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commission under Section 91.101(a)(1), (2), or (3), Natural |
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Resources Code, and the enforcement of penalties for unpermitted |
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discharges of such waste, substances, or materials; and |
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(2) submit to the standing committees in the senate |
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and house of representatives having primary jurisdiction over |
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natural resources a report that: |
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(A) details the commission's existing rules |
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regarding the prevention, reporting, and documentation of |
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unpermitted discharges of oil and gas waste or of a substance or |
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material described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection and the |
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enforcement of penalties for unpermitted discharges of such waste, |
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substances, or materials; |
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(B) proposes changes to the rules that would |
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improve the commission's ability to prevent, document, and respond |
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to unpermitted discharges of oil and gas waste or of a substance or |
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material described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection and to |
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bring enforcement action against responsible parties; and |
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(C) proposes any legislative action necessary to |
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improve the commission's ability to prevent, document, and respond |
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to unpermitted discharges of oil and gas waste or of a substance or |
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material described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection and to |
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bring enforcement action against responsible parties. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |