MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development was held on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair	Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Vice Chair	Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Bryan Hughes	Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.	Senator Lois Kolkhorst
	Senator Kel Seliger

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:01 AM. A quorum not present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Hughes

Within the committee’s jurisdiction of relevant agencies and programs, the Texas Railroad Commission provided the committee with an update on their rules adoption pertaining to Senate Bill 3 (87R), relating to preparing for, preventing and responding to weather emergencies and power outages; increasing the amount of administrative and civil penalties.

The following individuals provided invited testimony;

            Texas Railroad Commission

                        Commissioner Christi Craddick

The Chair laid out the following interim charges:

Natural Gas Storage: Study the economic benefits of expanding the state's underground natural gas storage capacity and infrastructure. Investigate and make recommendations for additional natural gas transportation opportunities.

The following individuals provided invited testimony;

            Texas Rail Road Commission

                        Commissioner Jim Wright

                        Wei Wang, Executive Director

            Texas Oil and Gas Association

                        Todd Staples, President

            Texas Pipeline Association

                        James Mann

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development passed by the 87th Legislature, as well as relevant agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. Specifically, make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation of the following:

House Bill 1284, Relating to the regulation for the injection and geologic storage of carbon dioxide in this state.

The following individuals provided invited testimony;

            Texas Railroad Commission

                        Wei Wang, Executive Director

                        Leslie Savage, Chief Geologist

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

House Bill 3973, Relating to a study on abandoned oil and gas wells in this state and the use of the oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund.

The following individuals provided invited testimony;

            Texas Railroad Commission

                        Wei Wang, Executive Director

                        Corey Crawford, Chief Financial Officer

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

There being no further business, at 12:57 PM Senator Birdwell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair

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David Estrada, Clerk