86R26964 CJC-D

By: Landgraf, Craddick, Nevárez, Paddie, H.B. No. 2154

King of Uvalde, et al.

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2154:

By: Capriglione C.S.H.B. No. 2154

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a commission to study the needs of areas of the state significantly affected by oil and gas production.

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

SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "commission" means the generate recurring oil wealth for Texas (GROW Texas) study commission.

(b) The generate recurring oil wealth for Texas (GROW Texas) study commission is established to study the needs of areas of the state significantly affected by oil and gas production, including infrastructure, safety, and educational needs, and to make recommendations to the legislature regarding the appropriation of money in the generate recurring oil wealth for Texas (GROW Texas) fund created under Section 49-g-3, Article III, Texas Constitution.

(c) The commission is composed of seven members, consisting of the following:

(1) three members appointed by the governor;

(2) two members appointed by the lieutenant governor; and

(3) two members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(d) The members appointed by the governor must reside in areas of the state from which oil and gas are produced and include at least:

(1) one person who is a member of the business community; and

(2) one person who is a member of the civic community.

(e) At least one member appointed by the lieutenant governor and one member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives must represent an area of the state from which oil and gas are produced.

(f) In making appointments under this section, the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives shall coordinate to ensure that the membership of the commission reflects, to the extent possible, the ethnic and geographic diversity of the state.

(g) The governor shall designate the presiding officer of the commission.

(h) A member of the commission is not entitled to compensation for service on the commission but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing commission duties.

(i) The commission shall develop recommendations under this section to address issues related to:

(1) the specific needs of areas of the state from which oil and gas are produced, including:

(A) needs relating to infrastructure degradation caused by oil and gas production activities;

(B) increased public health and safety needs; and

(C) educational and workforce training needs; and

(2) the costs to political subdivisions to address the needs identified under Subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(j) Not later than December 31, 2020, the commission shall prepare and deliver a report to the governor and the legislature that recommends statutory changes to address the needs of areas of the state significantly affected by oil and gas production and the appropriation of state funds dedicated for those purposes.

(k) The commission may hold public meetings as needed to fulfill its duties under this section.

(l) The commission is subject to Chapters 551 and 552, Government Code.

(m) The commission is abolished and this section expires February 1, 2021.

SECTION 2. Not later than the 30th day after the effective date of this Act, the appropriate persons shall make the appointments and designation required by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2020, but only if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019, providing for the creation of the generate recurring oil wealth for Texas (GROW Texas) fund, dedicating the money in that fund to benefit areas of the state from which oil and gas are produced, and providing for the transfer of certain general revenues to that fund, the economic stabilization fund, and the state highway fund is approved by the voters. If that amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act has no effect.