85R3574 JAM-F
By: RodrÃguez S.B. No. 569
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a review and report by the Railroad Commission of Texas
regarding the oversight and enforcement of unpermitted discharges
of oil and gas waste or of other substances or materials associated
with certain operations or activities regulated by the commission.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this Act:
(1) "Commission" means the Railroad Commission of
Texas.
(2) "Oil and gas waste" has the meaning assigned by
Section 91.1011, Natural Resources Code.
(b) Not later than September 1, 2018, the commission shall:
(1) review the commission's rules regarding the
prevention, reporting, and documentation of unpermitted discharges
of oil and gas waste or of any other substance or material
associated with any operation or activity regulated by the
commission under Section 91.101(a)(1), (2), or (3), Natural
Resources Code, and the enforcement of penalties for unpermitted
discharges of such waste, substances, or materials; and
(2) submit to the standing committees in the senate
and house of representatives having primary jurisdiction over
natural resources a report that:
(A) details the commission's existing rules
regarding the prevention, reporting, and documentation of
unpermitted discharges of oil and gas waste or of a substance or
material described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection and the
enforcement of penalties for unpermitted discharges of such waste,
substances, or materials;
(B) proposes changes to the rules that would
improve the commission's ability to prevent, document, and respond
to unpermitted discharges of oil and gas waste or of a substance or
material described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection and to
bring enforcement action against responsible parties; and
(C) proposes any legislative action necessary to
improve the commission's ability to prevent, document, and respond
to unpermitted discharges of oil and gas waste or of a substance or
material described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection and to
bring enforcement action against responsible parties.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2017.