By: Lewis H.B. No. 3241
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the regulation of the location of oil and gas wells by a
county in certain areas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 250, Local Government Code, is amended
by adding Section 250.007 to read as follows:
Sec. 250.007. PERMIT REQUIRED FOR OIL AND GAS WELLS IN
CERTAIN AREAS. (a) This section applies only to a well for oil or
gas located in a county:
(1) with a population of at least 115,000 but not more
than 150,000; and
(2) in which at least one census-designated place,
which is not an incorporated municipality, with a population of at
least 200 is located.
(b) The commissioners court of a county by order may
regulate by permit the drilling of a well for oil or gas, at a
location in the census-designated place within the county, that is
less than 400 feet from a residence.
(c) A person may not drill a well for oil or gas at a
location described by Subsection (b) unless the person obtains:
(1) any permit required by the Railroad Commission of
Texas; and
(2) a permit from the county in which the well is
located if the well is located in the census-designated place in an
unincorporated area of the county.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a well for which the Railroad Commission of Texas issues a
drilling permit on or after the effective date of this Act. A well
for which the Railroad Commission of Texas issues a drilling permit
before the effective date of this Act is subject to the law in
effect on the date the permit is issued, and that law is continued
in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.