BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2675

By: Geren

Energy Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that the cap on the oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund limits the ability of the Railroad Commission of Texas to retain dedicated funds to support critical projects whose costs exceed biennial appropriations, including projects for transitioning off of an older mainframe computer system, plugging wells, and digitally archiving paper and microfiche well log data. H.B. 2675 seeks to address this issue by repealing a provision relating to the balance of the oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund.

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. 2675 repeals Section 81.067(b), Natural Resources Code, which provides for the suspension of the collection of oil-field cleanup regulatory fees when the balance in the oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund equals or exceeds a specified amount and amends the Natural Resources Code to make conforming changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.