Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas House Bill HB2154 Latest Draft

Bill / Comm Sub Version Filed 04/29/2019

                            86R26964 CJC-D
 By: Landgraf, Craddick, Nevárez, Paddie, H.B. No. 2154
 King of Uvalde, et al.
 Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2154:
 By:  Capriglione C.S.H.B. No. 2154


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to a commission to study the needs of areas of the state
 significantly affected by oil and gas production.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  (a) In this section, "commission" means the
 generate recurring oil wealth for Texas (GROW Texas) study
 commission.
 (b)  The generate recurring oil wealth for Texas (GROW Texas)
 study commission is established to study the needs of areas of the
 state significantly affected by oil and gas production, including
 infrastructure, safety, and educational needs, and to make
 recommendations to the legislature regarding the appropriation of
 money in the generate recurring oil wealth for Texas (GROW Texas)
 fund created under Section 49-g-3, Article III, Texas Constitution.
 (c)  The commission is composed of seven members, consisting
 of the following:
 (1)  three members appointed by the governor;
 (2)  two members appointed by the lieutenant governor;
 and
 (3)  two members appointed by the speaker of the house
 of representatives.
 (d)  The members appointed by the governor must reside in
 areas of the state from which oil and gas are produced and include
 at least:
 (1)  one person who is a member of the business
 community; and
 (2)  one person who is a member of the civic community.
 (e)  At least one member appointed by the lieutenant governor
 and one member appointed by the speaker of the house of
 representatives must represent an area of the state from which oil
 and gas are produced.
 (f)  In making appointments under this section, the
 governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
 representatives shall coordinate to ensure that the membership of
 the commission reflects, to the extent possible, the ethnic and
 geographic diversity of the state.
 (g)  The governor shall designate the presiding officer of
 the commission.
 (h)  A member of the commission is not entitled to
 compensation for service on the commission but is entitled to
 reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in
 performing commission duties.
 (i)  The commission shall develop recommendations under this
 section to address issues related to:
 (1)  the specific needs of areas of the state from which
 oil and gas are produced, including:
 (A)  needs relating to infrastructure degradation
 caused by oil and gas production activities;
 (B)  increased public health and safety needs; and
 (C)  educational and workforce training needs;
 and
 (2)  the costs to political subdivisions to address the
 needs identified under Subdivision (1) of this subsection.
 (j)  Not later than December 31, 2020, the commission shall
 prepare and deliver a report to the governor and the legislature
 that recommends statutory changes to address the needs of areas of
 the state significantly affected by oil and gas production and the
 appropriation of state funds dedicated for those purposes.
 (k)  The commission may hold public meetings as needed to
 fulfill its duties under this section.
 (l)  The commission is subject to Chapters 551 and 552,
 Government Code.
 (m)  The commission is abolished and this section expires
 February 1, 2021.
 SECTION 2.  Not later than the 30th day after the effective
 date of this Act, the appropriate persons shall make the
 appointments and designation required by this Act.
 SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2020, but only
 if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 86th Legislature,
 Regular Session, 2019, providing for the creation of the generate
 recurring oil wealth for Texas (GROW Texas) fund, dedicating the
 money in that fund to benefit areas of the state from which oil and
 gas are produced, and providing for the transfer of certain general
 revenues to that fund, the economic stabilization fund, and the
 state highway fund is approved by the voters. If that amendment is
 not approved by the voters, this Act has no effect.