The House Committee on Energy Resources

89th Legislature

April 21, 2026

9:00 a.m.

E2.026

 

Pursuant to a notice posted on April 8, 2026, revised on April 16, 2026, the House Committee on Energy Resources met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Darby, at 9:01 a.m.

 

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Darby; Morales, Eddie; Dyson; Garcia, Josey; Gates; Gerdes; and Rosenthal.

 

A quorum was present.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The chair made opening remarks.

The vice-chair made opening remarks.

 

The committee heard testimony on the following interim charges:

 

Monitoring: Monitor the implementation and associated rulemaking of all legislation passed by the Committee and enacted by the 89th Legislature to ensure that legislative purposes are properly implemented, including the following:

 

•  HB 48, relating to the creation of an organized oilfield theft prevention unit within the Texas Department of Public Safety; and

 

•  HB 2663, relating to the affirmation required to be made by an operator as part of an application to the Railroad Commission of Texas for an extension of the deadline for plugging an inactive well.

 

Global Energy Overview: Assess the impact of increased geopolitical uncertainty on Texas’ oil and gas industry. Consider the effects of regime changes in the Middle East, the importation of Venezuelan oil, tanker traffic risks in the Strait of Hormuz, and disruptions to the international liquefied natural gas market.

 

Hydrogen: Survey the state of the hydrogen industry in Texas. Review the Railroad Commission of Texas’ Hydrogen Production Policy Council recommendations and determine whether statutory changes are necessary to improve the production, transmission, and utilization of hydrogen.

 

The committee heard invited testimony on the interim charge regarding monitoring the implementation of 89(R) House Bill 2663.

 

Testimony taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.)

 

(Representative Dean now present.)

 

Testimony taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.)

 

The chair closed testimony on the interim charge regarding monitoring the implementation of 89(R) House Bill 2663.

 

The committee heard invited testimony on the interim charge regarding monitoring the implementation of 89(R) House Bill 48.

 

Testimony taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.)

 

The chair closed testimony on the interim charge regarding monitoring the implementation of 89(R) House Bill 48.

The committee heard invited testimony on the interim charge regarding the Global Energy Overview.

 

Testimony taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.)

 

The chair closed testimony on the interim charge regarding the Global Energy Overview.

 

The committee heard invited testimony on the interim charge regarding Hydrogen.

 

Testimony taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.)

 

The chair closed testimony on the interim charge regarding Hydrogen.

 

At 1:31 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair.

 

 

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Rep. Darby, Chair

 

 

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Santino Camacho, Clerk