By: Darby, Morales of Maverick H.B. No. 2847

(Senate Sponsor - Sparks)

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 5, 2023; May 9, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development; May 19, 2023, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 19, 2023, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 2847 By: Sparks

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas over and a study of the production, pipeline transportation, and storage of hydrogen.

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

SECTION 1. Section 81.051(a), Natural Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The commission has jurisdiction over all:

(1) common carrier pipelines defined in Section 111.002 of this code in Texas;

(2) oil and gas wells in Texas;

(3) persons owning or operating pipelines in Texas; [and]

(4) persons owning or engaged in drilling or operating oil or gas wells in Texas; and

(5) pipeline transportation and underground storage of hydrogen.

SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 81, Natural Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 81.075 to read as follows:

Sec. 81.075. TEXAS HYDROGEN PRODUCTION POLICY COUNCIL. (a) In this section, "council" means the Texas hydrogen production policy council.

(b) The Texas hydrogen production policy council is established within the commission to study and make recommendations relating to the commission's policy framework for hydrogen energy development.

(c) The council is composed of:

(1) the chair of the commission or the chair's designee; and

(2) not more than 11 members appointed by the commission to represent as many different types of participants as possible, including at least three but not more than five representatives from the hydrogen industry.

(d) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee is the chair of the council.

(e) A member of the council is not entitled to compensation or reimbursement of expenses for service on the council.

(f) The council:

(1) shall study the development of hydrogen industries in this state, including the development of facilities for the production, pipeline transportation, and storage of hydrogen;

(2) shall monitor regional efforts for the application and development of a regional clean hydrogen hub authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. No. 117-58) or another federal act;

(3) may coordinate actions with other state agencies in supporting an application for a regional clean hydrogen hub described by Subdivision (2); and

(4) shall develop a state plan for hydrogen production oversight by the commission.

(g) The council shall make recommendations to the legislature relating to legislative changes needed for the oversight and regulation of production, pipeline transportation, and storage of hydrogen.

(h) The council is abolished and this section expires on January 1, 2030.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.

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