BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2757

By: Tepper

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

During the 87th Regular Session, the Texas Legislature passed legislation creating the Texas Produced Water Consortium. The consortium is housed at Texas Tech University and made up of stakeholders throughout Texas with the ultimate goal of finding beneficial uses for fluid oil and gas waste, otherwise known as produced water. Already, the consortium has released a report detailing the economics of treating produced water and recommended several next steps to deal with 250,000 acre-feet per year of recoverable new water supply. H.B. 2757 seeks to continue the consortium's work by requiring the consortium to select a pilot project for consideration and implementation and to submit a related report to the legislature.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2757 requires the Texas Produced Water Consortium, not later than October 1, 2023, to select a pilot project or program for consideration and implementation. The bill requires the consortium, not later than October 1, 2024, to submit to the legislature a report regarding the following:

·         the status of the pilot project or program; and

·         any suggested policy, regulatory, or legislative changes resulting from an analysis of the implementation of the pilot project or program.

Implementation of a provision of this bill by the consortium is mandatory only if a specific appropriation is made for that purpose.

H.B. 2757 repeals Section 109.205(c), Education Code, which prohibits the consortium, with certain exception, from receiving state money.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.