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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the declaration of an oil or gas emergency by the |
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Railroad Commission of Texas and the liability of a person for |
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assistance, advice, or resources provided in relation to an oil or |
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gas emergency. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 91, Natural Resources Code, is amended |
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by adding Subchapter U to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER U. OIL OR GAS EMERGENCIES |
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Sec. 91.951. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "oil or gas |
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emergency" means an emergency related to the production, storage, |
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or transportation of oil or gas, including the uncontrolled release |
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of oil, gas, or water from an oil or gas well. |
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Sec. 91.952. EMERGENCY DECLARATION. (a) The commission by |
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proclamation may declare an oil or gas emergency if the commission |
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finds that an oil or gas emergency has occurred. A proclamation |
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issued under this section must include: |
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(1) a description of the nature of the oil or gas |
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emergency; and |
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(2) a designation of the area threatened by the oil or |
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gas emergency. |
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(b) An emergency proclamation issued under Subsection (a) |
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may not continue for more than 30 days unless renewed by the |
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commission. |
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Sec. 91.953. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. (a) Except in the case |
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of gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct, a |
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person is immune from civil liability for an act or omission that |
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occurs in giving assistance, advice, or resources, including the |
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use of the person's assets, employees, or contractors, with respect |
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to the management of an oil or gas emergency: |
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(1) that is declared by the commission under Section |
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91.952; and |
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(2) in which the assistance, advice, or resources are |
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provided at the request of an authorized representative of a state, |
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local, or federal agency. |
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(b) The immunities provided by this section are in addition |
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to any other immunity or limitations of liability provided by law. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter U, Chapter 91, Natural Resources |
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Code, as added by this Act, does not apply to a cause of action that |
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accrued before the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |