House Committee on Energy Resources - 83rd R.S. (2013)

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Committee Members

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Charges

• Study the impact of the expanding oil and gas exploration and production occurring across the state. Included in the study should be both the positive impacts of the exploration and production as well as the new challenges they are presenting. The study should encompass a review of the following issues:
  • The effect on the state budget and the Economic Stabilization Fund;
  • The overall impact on the state economy;
  • The impact on property values and local taxes;
  • The effect on roads;
  • The impact on local school districts;
  • The complex relationship between land owners, royalty owners, and operators;
  • The impact on the environment, including emissions and injection wells;
  • Projected water needs and how those fit with our state water plan; and
  • The housing issues created by the number of workers needed in areas of shale plays.

• Study the P5 permitting process at the Railroad Commission to determine whether the process is efficient and effective and whether there are actions that can be taken to improve the process.

• Study and review the appropriation of general revenue dollars allocated to the Railroad Commission for improvements in IT systems to ensure those funds are being utilized to streamline the permitting process and to allow access to information for all parties that conduct business at the Commission.

• Review the application of Texas Business & Commerce Code, Section 9.343, to determine the legal rights of unperfected security interests of oil and gas producers with respect to subsequent purchasers, specifically in the context of a bankruptcy proceeding such as Arrow Oil & Gas, Inc. v. SemCrude, L.P. and subsequent cases.

• Monitor the implementation of HB 2982 83rd R.S. to ensure that the required rulemaking is completed efficiently and in a timely manner and SB 1747 83rd R.S. to ensure effective implementation in keeping with legislative intent.

• Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should:
  a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens;
  b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate;
  c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and
  d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.

• Examine the impact on Texas’s economy and businesses of the recent expansion of oil and gas production in Northern Mexico. Assess opportunities for economic growth in Texas and collaboration
  between Texas businesses and Mexico resulting from Mexico’s energy reform, including Mexico’s efforts to recover shale gas from the Eagle Ford Shale.

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Notes

Charge relating to the expansion of oil and gas production in Northern Mexico added by the Speaker on July 1, 2014. (Taylor, Steve. "Straus announces joint interim charge to study impact of Mexico's energy reforms." Rio Grande Guardian, July 18, 2014.)

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