HBA-JLV S.B. 1338 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1338
By: Ogden
Environmental Regulation
4/12/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The 76th Legislature, by rider in the General Appropriations Act, required
the Railroad Commission of Texas to perform a study on the effectiveness of
the existing state rules and regulations related to the detection, control,
and disposal of oil and gas naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM)
waste and report the findings of the study to the governor and the
legislature.  Senate Bill 1338 authorizes the Railroad Commission of Texas
to require owners or operators of oil and gas equipment to identify oil and
gas equipment that contains or is contaminated with NORM.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority expressly granted to the Railroad Commission of Texas in SECTION
1 (Section 401.415, Health and Safety Code) of this bill.  

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 1338 amends the Health and Safety Code to authorize the
Railroad Commission of Texas to require the owner or operator of oil and
gas equipment used in exploration, production, or disposal to determine
whether the equipment contains or is contaminated with naturally occurring
radioactive material (NORM) oil and gas waste, and to identify any
equipment determined to contain or be contaminated with oil and gas NORM
waste in order to protect public health and safety and the environment. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.