The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
June 17, 2023
At its open meeting on June 13, 2023, the Railroad Commission proposed amendments to various rules in Chapter 5 relating to Carbon Dioxide. The proposed amendments concern enforcement primacy for the federal Class VI Underground Injection Control program. Comments on the proposal will be accepted until 5:00 pm, Monday, July 31, 2023. For more information on this, or to access the online comment form, please see the Proposed Rules page at:
http://www.rrc.texas.gov/general-counsel/rules/proposed-rules/
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The Texas Legislature 2023 session is over. I’ve reduced the list to those bills that were sent to the Governor for his signature. New information is in bold. * is signed by the Governor.
*HB 2443, by Cody Harris, Relating to the authority of certain persons to petition a groundwater conservation district to change certain rules. 6/10/2023 Signed by the Governor, effective 9/1/2023. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB2243
*SB 604, by Zafirini, HB 1915, identical, Relating to land services performed by a landman. 5/24/2023 Signed by the Governor, effective immediately except Section 3 which takes effect 1/1/2024. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB604.
*SB 786, HB 1777 identical, by Birdwell, Blanco, and Zaffirini, Relating to the regulation by the Railroad Commission of Texas of closed-loop geothermal injection wells. "The railroad commission has jurisdiction over closed-loop geothermal injection wells and may issue permits for closed-loop geothermal injection wells, including individual permits, general permits, or permits by rule." 6/2/2023 Signed by the Governor, effective on 9/1/2023. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB786
*SB 1186, by Hughs, Relating to the regulation by the Railroad Commission of Texas of brine mining. 5/27/2023 Signed by the governor, Effective immediately. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB1186
SB 1659, by Schwertner, Holland, Keith Bell, Canales, Clardy, and Goldman, HB 1570, Identical, Relating to the sunset review process and certain governmental entities subject to that process. "APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT. The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the board is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2033 [2025]." 5/26/2023 Sent to the Governor. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB1659
*SB 2196, by Hancock, Schwertner, and Eckhardt, HB 4086 Identical, Relating to the identification and mapping of aggregate production operations by The University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology. 5/23/2023 Signed by the Governor, effective on 9/1/2023. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB2196
SB 2379, by Schwertner, Caroline Harris, Relating to the definition of the Edwards Aquifer for the purposes of an aquifer storage and recovery project. 6/16/2023 Vetoed by the Governor. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB2379
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The Texas Legislature is back in session for an additional session. I’m currently checking for bills of general interest to geologists in Texas and will be updating this list as things change. New information is in bold.
HB 11, by Reynolds, Relating to the creation of the Climate Change Impact Assessment Council. 5/30/2023 Filed. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=881&Bill=HB11.
HB 13, by Reynolds, Relating to the establishment of the Texas Environmental Justice Advisory Council. "shall meet at least four times a year and select a presiding officer from its membership. (c) The review board shall advise the council about issues related to environmental justice and the action plans developed under Section 428.0107. Sec. 428.0105. STATE PROGRAM REVIEW. (a) The council shall review each state agency and state program that serves to protect the environment to evaluate the agency's or program's positive". 5/30/2023 Filed. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=881&Bill=HB13.
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
6/17/2023