The Wise Report

The Wise Report

June 5, 2009

Henry M. Wise, P.G

This Texas legislative session is officially over. The following is the final list of new legislation that has been sent to the Governor for his signature or are now effective. If the Governor calls a special session, I'll be watching to see if anything of interest developes.

S.B. 448. Author: Carona. 6/1/2009-Sent to the Governor. Relating to the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation to mitigate adverse environmental impacts resulting from the construction, improvement, or maintenance of state highways or state highway facilities. Full details can be found at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB448

S.B. 480. Author: Carona. 6/1/2009-Sent to the Governor. Relating to the authority of the Texas Transportation Commission to enter into a covenant for environmental remediation of real property owned by the Texas Department of Transportation. Full details can be found at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB480

H.B. 469 (same as S.B. 483, above). 6/3/2009-Sent to the Governor. Authors: Phil King, Anchia, and Hughes. Relating to the establishment of incentives by this state for the implementation of certain projects to capture and sequester in geological formations carbon dioxide that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere. 60% of carbon emissions from clean coal will be sequestered. Sequestration will be monitored by the Bureau of Economic Geology at UT Austin, and there will also be tax incentives for sequestration used by O&G for enhanced oil recovery. Full details can be found at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB469

S.B. 940 (same as H.B. 2821, below). Author: Wentworth. 5/29/2009-Sent to the Governor. Relating to the regulation of the public practice of geoscience. Defines geoscience firm, geoscientist-in-training, and professional geoscientist, strengthens the ability of the TBPG to deal with complaints and allows for staff-initiated complaints, and allows the TBPG to make advisory opinions. Full details can be found at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB940

H.B. 2820 (Same as S.B. 941, above). Author: Chisum, Chavez. 5/29/2009-Sent to Governor. Relating to contracts by governmental entities for professional services relating to geoscience. Adds professional geoscience to the list of professional services. Full details can be found at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB2820

S.B. 1201 Author: Carona. 6/1/2009-Sent to the Governor. Relating to an affidavit required to be filed in a cause of action against certain licensed or registered professionals. PGs are not currently included, but could be eventually. Full details can be found at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB1201

H.B. 2259 (same as S.B. 1378, above). Authors: Crownover, Hardcastle, Farabee, Chisum, Gonzalez, and Toureilles. 5/26/2009-Sent to the Governor. Relating to the plugging of inactive oil or gas wells. Full details can be found at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB2259

S.B. 1387 (same as H.B. 2669, below). Author: Seigler. 5/27/2009-Effective on 9/1/2009. Relating to the injection and geologic storage of anthropogenic carbon dioxide. Full details can be found at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB1387

S.B. 1711. Author: Hegar. 5/19/2009-Effective Immediately. Relating to the use of sediment control ponds to satisfy environmental and safety regulations at surface mining operations in the state. "Without obtaining a permit, a person may construct or maintain a reservoir for the sole purpose of sediment control and divert and use the water to satisfy environmental and safety regulations for fire or dust suppression, applicable to [as part of] a surface coal mining operation under the Texas Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act (Article 5920-11, Vernon ’s Texas Civil Statutes)." Full details can be found at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB1711

H.B. 1796. Authors: Chisum, Hancock, and Sheffield. 6/3/2009-Sent to the Governor. Relating to the offshore geologic storage of carbon dioxide. Full details can be found at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1796

Henry M. Wise, P.G.

The Wise Report