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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the treatment and recycling for beneficial use of drill |
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cuttings. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 123.001, Natural Resources Code, is |
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amended by adding Subdivision (4) to read as follows: |
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(4) "Treatment" means a manufacturing, mechanical, |
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thermal, or chemical process other than sizing, shaping, diluting, |
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or sorting. |
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SECTION 2. Chapter 123, Natural Resources Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 123.0015 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 123.0015. BENEFICIAL USE. (a) For the purposes of |
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this chapter, a use of drill cuttings is considered to be beneficial |
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if the cuttings are used: |
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(1) in the construction of oil and gas lease pads or |
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oil and gas lease roads; or |
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(2) as part of a legitimate commercial product. |
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(b) The commission by rule shall define "legitimate |
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commercial product" for the purposes of this chapter. |
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(c) The commission by rule shall adopt criteria for |
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beneficial uses to ensure that a beneficial use of recycled drill |
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cuttings under this chapter is at least as protective of public |
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health, public safety, and the environment as the use of an |
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equivalent product made without recycled drill cuttings. |
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SECTION 3. Section 123.005, Natural Resources Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 123.005. COMMISSION RULES, PERMITS, AND ORDERS FOR |
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TREATMENT AND BENEFICIAL USE. (a) The commission shall adopt rules |
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to govern the treatment and beneficial use of drill cuttings. |
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(b) A rule adopted by the commission under this chapter or a |
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permit or order issued by the commission regarding the treatment |
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and beneficial use of drill cuttings must be at least as protective |
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of public health, public safety, and the environment as a rule, |
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permit, or order, respectively, adopted or issued by the commission |
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regarding the disposal of drill cuttings. |
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SECTION 4. 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. |