Bill Text: TX SB941 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to the adoption of rules by the Railroad Commission of Texas regulating the exploration for and production of natural gas in the unincorporated areas of certain counties.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-12 - Referred to Natural Resources [SB941 Detail]
Download: Texas-2013-SB941-Introduced.html
| 83R1218 SMH-F | ||
| By: Davis | S.B. No. 941 | |
|
|
||
|
|
||
| relating to the adoption of rules by the Railroad Commission of | ||
| Texas regulating the exploration for and production of natural gas | ||
| in the unincorporated areas of certain counties. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 86, Natural Resources | ||
| Code, is amended by adding Section 86.044 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 86.044. RULES RELATING TO EXPLORATION FOR AND | ||
| PRODUCTION OF GAS IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF CERTAIN COUNTIES. (a) | ||
| The commission shall adopt rules relating to the exploration for | ||
| and production of gas in the unincorporated areas of counties that | ||
| are located wholly or partly above a hydrocarbon-producing | ||
| geological formation that underlies all or part of two counties: | ||
| (1) that are adjacent to one another; and | ||
| (2) each of which has a population of more than 1.8 | ||
| million. | ||
| (b) Rules adopted under this section must promote gas | ||
| exploration and production while securing the quality of life and | ||
| existing economic interests, including property values and | ||
| development plans, in the unincorporated areas of the counties | ||
| described by Subsection (a) by: | ||
| (1) establishing unique and heightened standards for | ||
| the benefit and protection of existing residences, religious | ||
| institutions, schools, hospitals, and public parks; | ||
| (2) establishing protective measures related to | ||
| noise, lighting, water discharge, road damage, gas exploration and | ||
| production-related traffic routing and congestion, and the impact | ||
| on and damage to water wells resulting from drilling or production | ||
| operations; | ||
| (3) addressing the proximity of gas wells, disposal | ||
| facilities, compressor stations, gas treatment facilities, and | ||
| aboveground storage tanks to existing structures; | ||
| (4) addressing pipeline placement and alignment; and | ||
| (5) addressing vapor recovery and reduced emission | ||
| completions. | ||
| (c) In adopting rules under this section, the commission | ||
| shall consider ordinances adopted by municipalities in counties | ||
| described by Subsection (a). | ||
| SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2013, the Railroad | ||
| Commission of Texas shall adopt rules as required by this Act. | ||
| SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. | ||
