88R1231 JXC-D
 
  By: Landgraf, Morales of Maverick, Metcalf, H.B. No. 33
      Manuel
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the enforcement of certain federal laws regulating oil
  and gas operations within the State of Texas.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 3, Natural Resources Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 82 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 82. ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL LAWS
         Sec. 82.0101.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "oil and gas
  operation" has the meaning assigned by Section 81.0523.
         Sec. 82.0102.  ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN FEDERAL LAWS
  REGULATING OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS. (a) An agency of this state or a
  person employed by an agency of this state may not contract with or
  in any other manner provide assistance to a federal agency or
  official with respect to the enforcement of a federal statute,
  order, rule, or regulation purporting to regulate oil and gas
  operations if the statute, order, rule, or regulation imposes a
  prohibition, restriction, or other regulation that does not exist
  under the laws of this state.
         (b)  The attorney general shall defend any agency of this
  state that the federal government attempts to sue for an action or
  omission consistent with the requirements of this section.
         (c)  This section does not prohibit a state agency from
  entering into a memorandum of agreement with a federal agency to
  implement a federal law if otherwise authorized by state law,
  including a memorandum of agreement that authorizes the state
  agency to execute authority delegated to that state agency by the
  federal agency.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2023.