Honorable Craig Goldman, Chair, House Committee on Energy Resources
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1683 by Landgraf (Relating to the enforcement of certain federal laws regulating oil and gas operations within the State of Texas.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Natural Resources Code to prohibit a state agency or state political subdivision from contracting with or in any other manner providing assistance to a federal agency or official with respect to enforcement of federal law purporting to regulate oil and gas operations if the law imposes a prohibition, restriction, or other regulation that does not exist under Texas law.
The bill would require the Attorney General to defend any agency of this state that the federal government attempts to sue for an action or omission consistent with the requirements of the bill.
Based on the analysis of the Office of Court Administration, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Railroad Commission, it is assumed that duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the bill could be accomplished utilizing existing resources. In addition, no significant fiscal impact to the state court system is anticipated with the implementation of the bill.
The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving two-thirds of a majority vote in both houses; otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2021.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Admin, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 455 Railroad Commission