Texas House Bill HB3761

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to a grant program to assist counties in repairing county roads damaged by certain natural gas activities.

Impact

If enacted, the bill will require the Texas Comptroller to develop rules for awarding grants to counties. These grants can only be utilized for the repair of roads damaged by natural gas activities and can be funded through various sources, including private gifts and appropriated state funds. Counties need to provide evidence of significant damage in order to qualify for this financial assistance. The introduction of this program aims to alleviate the financial burden on local governments that may struggle with infrastructure maintenance due to heavy industrial activities.

Summary

House Bill 3761 establishes a grant program aimed at assisting counties in Texas with the costs associated with repairing county roads that have been damaged due to specific natural gas activities. The bill focuses on damage related to operations such as pad site preparation, rig mobilization, drilling, and rig removal, particularly within areas impacted by the Barnett Shale in Texas and the Haynesville Shale in Louisiana. This initiative seeks to ensure that the infrastructure within these counties can be restored efficiently following the adverse effects of natural gas extraction activities.

Contention

While the bill aims to provide much-needed support for local infrastructure repair, points of contention may arise regarding the allocation of state funds and the environmental implications of natural gas operations. Some community members might argue against the prioritization of funding for damage caused by the natural gas industry, raising concerns about broader environmental impacts and advocating for stricter regulations on such activities. Additionally, there may be debates related to the effectiveness of county-level management of these grants and whether they adequately address the complexities of infrastructure damage.