[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6232019,"mediaKeyId","3426958-1aac898020c80e0fbab0df72a0b1847e","parentId",3426958,"title","Bill would require Railroad Commission to restore surface and indemnify landowners after plugging operations","audioSeconds",105,"startMs",5031000,"endMs",5136000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426958-1aac898020c80e0fbab0df72a0b1847e&start=5031&end=5136","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426958-1aac898020c80e0fbab0df72a0b1847e/thumbnail_5031000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6232019/Texas/Bill-would-require-Railroad-Commission-to-restore-surface-and-indemnify-landowners-after-plugging-operations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232019-d099f41452e1c0be28489d8dc73d9ebb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440092&Signature=QF594avfa4g83krtJ~WE9R-xQtG7CfbqJPms4ldH7au0JkHOMa-3qo3kSNyuq~o74VduGTMMxXDvRUIhOMc51H6EaHurISMlhW4vfa7UH5cIbLstfMvHzSjIF3E~Hix-KIoF2NUHMn1KSEEgXEEuhm1KZipiYHvmmuXg688UnGVamaFYu2IVggFMOc2GTGctUXjwYfZcgwgqpvppoLCJGALjajlvk2HfiyneTUpS8HbwGLlqqBuqTUwxdvp5Q6LwCJO1E31qfCg8vqFCd-OBmP44Q7ndWNotMuvcDpx18dTNVchEByH5wnS5F7CP2Y2mpI0aHf3Ep6TqTOQ2byNv5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas Legislature","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","The committee considered House Bill 36,19, a bill that would clarify rights and liabilities of surface estate owners when the Railroad Commission of Texas plugs or re‑plugs wells.

Senator Zaffirini, sponsor of the bill as presented, said the commission often enters tracts to plug wells and that landowners can be left with broken fences, property damage and potential lawsuits—sometimes without prior notice. The bill would require the Railroad Commission to restore the surface of the tract to its prior condition, prevent an authorized entrant from blocking the landowner’s access, and indemnify the landowner from civil liability for actions or omissions by the commission or its contractors.

The committee substitute requested by the Railroad Commission allows surface land owners to decline restoration efforts, defines \"restore,\" and clarifies that surface landowners are immune from civil liability in the context described. Resource witnesses from the Railroad Commission participated; public testimony included an attorney who described an example in which an operator interpreted current law as authorizing entry on tracts far from the well site and urged tightening of Texas Natural Resources Code §89.044 to limit entry to the tract where the well is located.

Senator Zaffirini said the substitute reflected the commission’s concerns and would provide clearer protections for landowners; the committee left the bill pending for further consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee on Natural Resources (Part I) May 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senators heard House Bill 36,19, which would require the Railroad Commission to restore surface land after it or its contractors plug abandoned wells, prevent access blocks and indemnify surface owners from liability arising from plugging operations.","taxTitle","Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development, Senate, Legislative, Texas","taxId",16855,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6232023,"Bill would require TCEQ to hold public meetings on composting permits when local legislators request them",501,6011000,6512000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426958-1aac898020c80e0fbab0df72a0b1847e&start=6011&end=6512","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426958-1aac898020c80e0fbab0df72a0b1847e/thumbnail_6011000.jpg","/articles/6232023/Texas/Bill-would-require-TCEQ-to-hold-public-meetings-on-composting-permits-when-local-legislators-request-them","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232023-24239ea72b400725d306b4df1efdc1b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440092&Signature=SQr3pnutouve5EqylD~czIgkUB1kiU8n51zbN7Hg2B2cOV3FxeHlF2N-MsZ7A4T5PiFYn5icNPUQg28-PJrp9ORLszZCclOLpA5CFTJn-0ZP483NPI5Ojgd1vlTpulNz6BXQMvoBKrPsGPs7hF6CXa4cMCJ~hL~1oTRXR3p4-wmNm95B7U~ANnDPhSNz7xynymfph2XGF0jqfRyryFFeObKInKquMYKfFm293quMGiZd3B97J~4wdcqTFvxxvCDldEslaPJ03xaxaqYuy3GXdhjDkIKR6edjVMJGUl1om-jXRSu8DkJ7bcogr1xdAbxq1xnFU7W6GTWSvkNw18fnfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Natural Resources considered a committee substitute to House Bill 42,71 that would require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to hold public meetings on certain composting facility permit applications when requested by local legislators.

Senator Kolkhorst’s sponsor, Senator Flores, said the substitute responds to a recent Lee County matter in which TCEQ received more than 1,800 comments and requests for a public meeting but denied a meeting because the application type did not currently trigger a meeting. \"When a state agency receives over 1,800 public comments and multiple formal requests from legislators to engage on a permit application, yet still refuses to do so, it gives the appearance that procedural expediency is being prioritized over meaningful public input,\" Flores said.

Charlie Fritz, deputy director of TCEQ’s waste permits division, described three tiers of composting authorizations: notifications (a single mailed notice to adjacent landowners, no comment period or meeting), registrations (two notices and a public comment period), and permits (notices, a comment period and opportunity for a public meeting). Fritz said the substitute would require TCEQ rulemaking to allow a public meeting when requested by local legislators for applications going forward.

Supporters framed the measure as a transparency and community‑engagement fix; Senator Flores said the substitute removes retroactive requirements so existing operations are not affected. Members asked whether TCEQ could implement the requirement under existing resources; Fritz said the agency would conduct rulemaking and could carry out meetings if funding were provided or may implement with existing resources if available.

The committee left the bill pending; sponsors said the measure aims to restore public trust in permitting by ensuring communities and their elected representatives have an opportunity to be heard.","Senators heard House Bill 42,71, a substitute that would require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to hold public meetings on certain composting facility permit applications upon formal request from local legislators, after hundreds of public comments in a recent Lee County case were not followed by a meeting.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6232029,"Senators approve clarification to allow on‑site storage of reactor‑generated high‑level waste at new reactors",397,5422000,5819000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426958-1aac898020c80e0fbab0df72a0b1847e&start=5422&end=5819","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426958-1aac898020c80e0fbab0df72a0b1847e/thumbnail_5422000.jpg","/articles/6232029/Texas/Senators-approve-clarification-to-allow-onsite-storage-of-reactorgenerated-highlevel-waste-at-new-reactors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232029-a85c39082a6a5b5e435467e8d749cbc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440092&Signature=O5R8O6B2m52~XRCpSwSAGhhtXhIFsT8ItVeugZxaXOMdNHqO3zXEIr5Rf6bPW~0rE-Wm0YCntkByOx4ljEF0CwKlSaCpkt~58oo6H-0-sMfxl8gjcBSjv5NmdUYUUTxsHqdrbEZ81~Cc4~UovrqDgWU--JWs6nFBWECT7nTh7vBdUrCsst~aDS~NloTZsQDRmUD73ueS3lsRIW4DGj4JqZf-FeDfk~XVTmVpS5QAJCWzHCqK2eJ6QPjIcY8nuT0Jjir-8fy34yjYwucfy3HVyqTUtVE28gAy0V~axIdb1UHD0k-1DCFSCuhCYxURmDyNnpNtSq-pmHZrYHM5idC3GA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee heard House Bill 4,112 and a committee substitute intended to clarify earlier 2019 session language that bars the state from becoming a repository for high‑level radioactive waste.

Sponsor Chairman Birdwell said HB 7’s prior restrictions were written to prevent off‑site disposal in Texas but could be misread to bar on‑site storage at new nuclear power reactors or university research reactors. \"HB 41 12 clarifies that all former, current, and future nuclear power reactors and university operated nuclear research and test reactors are exempt from the restrictions on high level radioactive waste storage so long as that waste originated at that site,\" Birdwell said.

The committee substitute added commas and removed an inoperative subsection to ensure the statutory exception functions as intended. Testimony from environmental groups and industry representatives reflected support for the clarified language. Cyrus Reed of the Sierra Club said he supported the committee substitute; Reid Clay of the Texas Nuclear Alliance supported the clarification but cautioned that some added subsections could hamper future beneficial recycling of materials if moved too strictly.

The committee left the bill pending following the clarification. Witnesses said the language preserves the current policy of prohibiting off‑site storage while ensuring that on‑site interim storage for reactors licensed by the NRC remains possible for new projects.","A committee substitute to House Bill 4,112 clarifies that current and future nuclear power reactors and university research reactors may store high‑level radioactive waste on‑site so long as the material originated at that site; sponsors said the change prevents unintended barriers to new federal‑licensed reactors.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6232032,"Produced‑water bill draws split testimony over liability shield and public health safeguards",260,3698000,3958000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426958-1aac898020c80e0fbab0df72a0b1847e&start=3698&end=3958","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426958-1aac898020c80e0fbab0df72a0b1847e/thumbnail_3698000.jpg","/articles/6232032/Texas/Producedwater-bill-draws-split-testimony-over-liability-shield-and-public-health-safeguards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232032-bfa90f99075f9544cb7fd9b0df113908/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440092&Signature=GxBIjMA9Cs3e4TKkFTUrTMUMSxEsAupfaDmVzRXadypD91zwknqpUcS15kPJcKhpdOyI60Ceoz8lj~gCtcoljhE9heEIeFomi-ZgVGGXqtk4efC-enf4d51Zr5T3MWyF2-6XUs20KnpXjwyQlzN4nrBd5FsWBq9VwiH3AExqIfj1O3uIZAoXvicOq-LViSeYZ5CFQmDFM7wzzTbgbNfevjXxZJJkPkCh62NNGFJyHHSWLcrITk1~3VK4lrvnjbKc7fXo5EwCJhZ7gqVWPyZxgE2pEVljVtQQ80ZfjLE2HB8GmUi~3f89P5xeIhio5M0EqI8yXk4k1u0nIXDTtppWBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Natural Resources heard testimony on House Bill 49, a bill to expand liability protections tied to the treatment and beneficial reuse of produced water from oil and gas operations.

Senator Perry, the sponsor, said the measure would update 2013 indemnifications to reflect technological advances and broaden protections to owners of treatment facilities and producers who transfer produced water to a treatment facility. \"Produced water recycling has expanded to new forms of beneficial use beyond the reuse for fracking purposes,\" Perry said, citing water reuse for irrigation and lithium extraction as examples.

Supporters, including industry representatives, said the bill is needed to encourage research and scaling of treatment technologies. Greg Matthews of Chevron provided volume context, noting the large daily volume of produced water and saying treated reuse could be a significant new water source for Texas agriculture.

Opponents raised public health and accountability concerns. Julie Range of Commission Shift Action said produced water \"should be considered inherently hazardous due to the harmful constituents it may contain,\" and argued the bill removes needed liability and exempts operators from exemplary damages that deter reckless conduct. The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance warned that only a fraction of potential chemicals in produced water currently have approved testing methods or toxicity standards, and cited New Mexico’s decision limiting treated produced water discharges.

Cyrus Reed of the Sierra Club said the bill removes liability for the original generator once a transfer occurs and urged additional safeguards; he said the chapter and permit cross references needed clarifying and recommended removing punitive damage protections.

Senator Perry said the measure seeks to protect landowners by excluding surface owners from new indemnifications for certain torts and to preserve remedies when spills affect a landowner’s property. The committee heard both organized industry support and environmental and landowner opposition and left the bill pending for further consideration.","Senators heard House Bill 49, which would expand indemnifications related to treated produced water reuse and narrow exceptions for liability; supporters say the measure encourages reuse and reduces injection, opponents warn it removes accountability and could harm public health if treatment standards and oversight are insufficient.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6232037,"Committee hears bill to require TPWD review, 90‑day notice for structures over 500 feet on Gulf Coast",3037,634000,3671000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426958-1aac898020c80e0fbab0df72a0b1847e&start=634&end=3671","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426958-1aac898020c80e0fbab0df72a0b1847e/thumbnail_634000.jpg","/articles/6232037/Texas/Committee-hears-bill-to-require-TPWD-review-90day-notice-for-structures-over-500-feet-on-Gulf-Coast","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232037-06d88dfdb782b986c689a099e2816f8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440092&Signature=SqSmT0S--FKj4tdljz8PpohMsUuSyTyZFBD5~rvTmiNqPLG1H7--TDe4v4b~14KfPcd6O6CUU6lEA5ZTmT~ZCTc0MNin-oWUIhk~L-~MdhaARwP9ux1Wj89skRZ4-ydoFvUoeFX67D2VTo7Jx~F29LnbkB3HDgCIXHMwaWq72MN3Q4lv7jnkg5VOZ0BB4fIbPfzlvJGwZ0mBFqNdFOA9w6Blyr2nIl5JP9X9aiCsyClxPKXQCXRPQ1c-24EAlzr22m6yu9JFPHCpN85ypFLl4fb8j0vwlc1iknkKT9I2vSmQMPyZBEpoxuLDVRB99eX8cuPOgVs9o0x2BC4frJs0oQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Natural Resources heard testimony on House Bill 3,556 on a measure that would require people in affected counties to notify the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 90 days before constructing a structure taller than 500 feet.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Lois Middleton, said the measure is intended to balance development with protection for migratory birds that use the Texas coast. \"The Texas Coast is part of migratory flyways for more than 400 species,\" Middleton said while explaining the committee substitute.

The committee substitute preserves a 90‑day notice period to TPWD, then gives the department 45 days to review and recommend mitigation. If a developer declines mitigation, TPWD would have a further 45 days to file suit to limit or stop construction when the department finds the mitigation insufficient to prevent material harm. Middleton said the substitute limits the measure to structures over 500 feet and exempts counties with population above 500,000 or a city over 300,000.

Laura Zebihazy, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ecological and environmental planning program director, testified as a resource witness and described how TPWD currently provides voluntary recommendations under Parks and Wildlife Code 12.0011. \"At this time, Parks and Wildlife code 12.0011 gives us the charge to provide recommendations or technical guidance ... and we very rarely have feedback from those project developers,\" Zebihazy said, adding that there is no current enforcement mechanism to ensure developers implement recommendations.

Conservation groups and wildlife experts broadly supported the bill. Justin Driver Bliss, chief executive officer of the Texas Wildlife Association, said the measure is a \"common sense approach\" that would create a feedback loop for TPWD. Carter Crouch of the International Crane Foundation highlighted studies showing whooping cranes avoid turbines and said avoidance can cause \"functional habitat loss.\" David Neustadt of the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program said radar and tracking data show the Gulf Coast is a hotspot for avian migration and cautioned existing mortality estimates may undercount impacts in this region.

Opponents urged narrower geographic limits and objected to the new authority that would allow TPWD to seek injunctive relief. Cyrus Reed, Lone Star chapter director for the Sierra Club, said the measure as substituted could give a single agency the ability to stop projects on private land and recommended a distance‑based limit (for example, miles from refuges) rather than county‑based coverage. Industry representatives including Chris Kirby of the Advanced Power Alliance said the substitute reintroduces \"broad authority to block projects with no objective substantive legal standards\" and warned it invites litigation unless additional guardrails—such as bond posting—are added.

Testimony spanned conservation organizations, former federal wildlife staff, researchers and industry representatives; the committee left the bill pending and did not vote. Senator Middleton said the substitute was worked with the lieutenant governor’s office and that she deferred treatment of the House speaker’s status to the House.

The committee also noted that the substitute narrows the conflict‑of‑interest provision to second‑degree relationships for elected officials and restricts legislator communications to permits within their districts.","The Senate Committee on Natural Resources heard testimony on House Bill 3,556, a committee substitute that would require a 90‑day notice to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and give the agency a limited right to seek injunctive relief when proposed structures over 500 feet could materially harm migratory birds along the Texas Gulf Coast.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill would require Railroad Commission to restore surface and indemnify landowners after plugging operations

Bill would require TCEQ to hold public meetings on composting permits when local legislators request them

Senators approve clarification to allow on‑site storage of reactor‑generated high‑level waste at new reactors

Produced‑water bill draws split testimony over liability shield and public health safeguards

Committee hears bill to require TPWD review, 90‑day notice for structures over 500 feet on Gulf Coast