H.B. No. 2847
AN ACT
relating to the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas
over and a study of the production, pipeline transportation, and
storage of hydrogen.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 81.051(a), Natural Resources Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The commission has jurisdiction over all:
(1) common carrier pipelines defined in Section
111.002 of this code in Texas;
(2) oil and gas wells in Texas;
(3) persons owning or operating pipelines in Texas;
[and]
(4) persons owning or engaged in drilling or operating
oil or gas wells in Texas; and
(5) pipeline transportation and underground storage
of hydrogen.
SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 81, Natural Resources
Code, is amended by adding Section 81.075 to read as follows:
Sec. 81.075. TEXAS HYDROGEN PRODUCTION POLICY COUNCIL. (a)
In this section, "council" means the Texas hydrogen production
policy council.
(b) The Texas hydrogen production policy council is
established within the commission to study and make recommendations
relating to the commission's policy framework for hydrogen energy
development.
(c) The council is composed of:
(1) the chair of the commission or the chair's
designee; and
(2) not more than 11 members appointed by the
commission to represent as many different types of participants as
possible, including at least three but not more than five
representatives from the hydrogen industry.
(d) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee is the
chair of the council.
(e) A member of the council is not entitled to compensation
or reimbursement of expenses for service on the council.
(f) The council:
(1) shall study the development of hydrogen industries
in this state, including the development of facilities for the
production, pipeline transportation, and storage of hydrogen;
(2) shall monitor regional efforts for the application
and development of a regional clean hydrogen hub authorized under
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. No. 117-58) or
another federal act;
(3) may coordinate actions with other state agencies
in supporting an application for a regional clean hydrogen hub
described by Subdivision (2); and
(4) shall develop a state plan for hydrogen production
oversight by the commission.
(g) The council shall make recommendations to the
legislature relating to legislative changes needed for the
oversight and regulation of production, pipeline transportation,
and storage of hydrogen.
(h) The council is abolished and this section expires on
January 1, 2030.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2847 was passed by the House on May 4,
2023, by the following vote: Yeas 141, Nays 1, 1 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 2847 on May 25, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 135, Nays 5,
1 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2847 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 21, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor