Captain Shawn Hallett testifies neutrally on a bill concerning oil field theft; confirms cooperation with the office regarding fiscal implications and location of the office.
Discussion on the bill's $7,000,000 fiscal note; potential benefits if the unit is housed in the Midland-Odessa area.
Hallett describes investigation statistics: 51 arrests since September 2023, $3,800,000 in currency and $2,300,000 in property seized.
Oil field theft extends beyond the Permian Basin; involves stolen crude oil, equipment, and other materials.
Ongoing discussions about operational efficiency and potential unit expansions.
Special Agent Jeremy Orr discusses organized crime targeting the petroleum industry and the need for specialized units.
Various witnesses, including Todd Staples and Ed Longanecker, offer support for creating a focused DPS unit to tackle growing and organized oil theft operations.
Reflections on the significant economic impacts of oil theft; statistics provided on estimated value losses.
Bill aimed at enhancing law enforcement's ability to manage complex, organized oil theft cases across resource-constrained areas like the Permian Basin.
Call for better integration between local law enforcement and the proposed state-level unit to improve on-the-ground efficiency.
The bill aims to strengthen legal protections and promote responsible reuse of produced water from oil and gas waste.
HB49 addresses current disposal problems associated with produced water and seeks to foster industry growth.
Under current Texas law, some liability protections exist for treatment facilities but not for producers, transporters, or users of treated waste.
The bill proposes to extend liability protections to those parties and assigns liability for intentional misconduct, gross negligence, and regulatory noncompliance.
It aims to prevent lawsuits for punitive damages based on ordinary negligence when penalties apply.
The bill is designed to balance innovation and environmental responsibility by protecting businesses and ensuring accountability.
HB49 is focused on regulatory certainty, not ownership of wastewater.
No questions were posed to Chairman Darby after his explanation.
The bill addresses the need for a comprehensive emergency plan for oil and gas infrastructure due to threats like terrorist attacks, cybersecurity threats, and natural disasters.
Winter Storm Uri highlighted vulnerabilities in the infrastructure, and there was a significant cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline.
The Railroad Commission is tasked with developing the comprehensive emergency response plan without the need for additional funding or resources.
Representative Craddick inquired about the fiscal impact, confirming there would be no extra costs involved.
There is an emphasis on utilizing existing resources more effectively to enhance infrastructure protection.
Representative Garcia emphasized the national security implications and the urgent need for proactive measures.
The Texas Department of Public Safety supports the initiative, with a focus on interdependencies and current vulnerabilities.
The Public Utilities Commission has drafted a Texas Energy Security Plan, which provides a foundation for further plans by the Railroad Commission.
Discussion on whether the Railroad Commission needs to create a fiscal note for HB1169 and the involvement of full-time employees.
Uncertainty about the fiscal note details and the elimination of the fiscal note by the Legislative Budget Board (LBB).
Request for clarification on the number of employees and costs related to the fiscal note, with a promise to gather more information before the meeting ends.
Representative Raymond discusses the importance of the bill and openness to allocating additional resources if necessary.
Support expressed for the bill and its aim to improve security, highlighting the potential severe consequences of inaction.
HB1971 seeks to clarify the legislative intent of SB786 regarding the regulation of shallow closed loop geothermal injection wells.
SB786 transferred regulatory jurisdiction from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to the Railroad Commission of Texas.
The transfer did not specify if well owners needed to submit an organizational report (form P5), provide financial assurance, or pay drilling permit fees.
Previously, these requirements were not imposed under TCEQ oversight, but the transfer made them subject to additional financial and administrative burdens under the Railroad Commission.
HB1971 amends water code section 27.037 to ensure well owners are not subject to additional drilling permit fees and organizational reports.
The bill is intended to prevent regulatory overreach and aligns with legislative intent of SB786 without imposing new fees or administrative hurdles.
Todd Staples from the Texas Oil and Gas Association testified in favor of HB2584, highlighting the importance of a regulatory framework for using produced water.
Staples mentioned the significant amount of produced water in the Permian Basin and the potential for beneficial use, particularly in arid regions like West Texas.
Recycling produced water in hydraulic fracturing operations is already occurring at significant levels.
Cyrus Reed from the Sierra Club expressed support for HB2584 but emphasized the need for a clear rulemaking process.
Reed pointed out concerns about potential environmental impacts and the importance of improving science and technology.
Reed suggested other potential uses for produced water, such as industrial applications and non-edible crop irrigation.
Charles Maley from South Texans Property Rights Association supported the bill, drawing a parallel to property rights issues.
Maley mentioned the juxtaposition of supporting a bill which may require landowners to buy back their own water.
Michael Lozano from the Permian Basin Petroleum Association supported the bill, citing its potential for beneficial reuse of produced water.
Trace Finley from the Texas Independent Produced Water Association highlighted the importance of transferring permitting authority to TCEQ for regulatory consistency.
Chairman Landgraf acknowledged the need for possible amendments to clarify the rulemaking process in the bill.
Chairman Darby introduced HB2663, aimed at reducing wildfire risks and enhancing regulatory enforcement in Texas' oil and gas industry.
The bill responds to findings from the Texas House Investigative Committee on wildfires, which identified aging electrical infrastructure as a major cause.
HB2663 mandates operators of long-term inactive wells to decommission electric infrastructure to mitigate fire risks.
The bill introduces penalties for operators who falsely claim compliance but fail to remove electric infrastructure.
The Railroad Commission of Texas would have authority to impose fines up to $10,000 for violations.
