[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6246783,"mediaKeyId","3215374-b04b64a379583d1d2cf4bca28252ad6b","parentId",3215374,"title","Senate committee hears bill to bar counties from requiring cash bonds for pipeline construction","audioSeconds",237,"startMs",98000,"endMs",335000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3215374-b04b64a379583d1d2cf4bca28252ad6b&start=98&end=335","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3215374-b04b64a379583d1d2cf4bca28252ad6b/thumbnail_98000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6246783/Texas/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-bar-counties-from-requiring-cash-bonds-for-pipeline-construction","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246783-61386463345bd86ab0cc883d3fc96887/orig.mp4?Expires=1770714257&Signature=hG1bMY53IDWjdVJnvmuKYOSnYesBK5xN704YdeE2u-N~SU8oO69sQXlK81VGjEgYDg1De9IoH~~LpGQujodp0WeLBD468sBkmr392lKmFDb1kkL20iYQvZ0s0X1aY2QcONiOXEGKd8UHEBmdZRdwj19yI59-~x4tgdOi4K0sQe7ooo3sYBOMZ~noMaX35GqOR2FengAjw9cKTOrEPDOFeo-hAZRO4MoJuNLlFxJqBuGLLFw884j3EHLhoBdw-DQAMQ7lsKCjjxnop8tjW3qmk8OJ1-mKT~nfEWCK-ryRmlUsATrnSkT12BujCIXayHSoxyroyZvIA0V0AF4DMMEWkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas Legislature","date","2025-05-07T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 206 would prohibit counties from requiring a cash bond as a condition of approval for pipeline construction while preserving counties\\' ability to seek other financial assurances, supporters told the Senate Committee on Natural Resources on Oct. 12.

The bill\\'s sponsor, Senator Birdwell, told the committee that \"some counties have begun imposing a cash bond requirement as a condition of approval for the construction of a pipeline,\" which can create \"an undue financial burden on pipeline developers and constructioners\" and raise \"regulatory uncertainty\" for projects that cross multiple counties. He said the bill would still allow counties to recover damages through alternative forms of financial assurance such as performance bonds, and that pipeline companies would retain the option to use cash bonds if they preferred.

The bill drew public testimony from James Mann of Target Pipeline, who said his company now faces requests from 12 counties along a route they are building and that the industry historically has relied on performance bonds or repairs made during construction rather than cash deposits. \"We don\\'t see any reason to start laying big piles of cash in every county we go through,\" Mann said.

Committee staff opened and then closed public testimony without further questions from members. No vote was taken; the committee left House Bill 206 pending.

Discussion vs. decision: The committee received sponsor explanation and public testimony but took no formal action on the bill beyond leaving it pending. The transcript records concerns about financial burden and regulatory uncertainty raised by the sponsor and by a pipeline representative, and the committee did not adopt amendments or direct staff to prepare changes during the hearing.

The committee recessed later in the meeting and indicated it would reconvene and complete votes later at the desk; no final disposition of HB 206 was made in this session.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee on Natural Resources May 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 206 would prohibit counties from requiring a cash bond as a condition of approval for pipeline construction while allowing alternative financial assurances such as performance bonds.","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},6246770,"Committee reviews bill on Gulf Coast Protection District gates and leadership appointments",148,747000,895000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3215374-b04b64a379583d1d2cf4bca28252ad6b&start=747&end=895","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3215374-b04b64a379583d1d2cf4bca28252ad6b/thumbnail_747000.jpg","/articles/6246770/Texas/Committee-reviews-bill-on-Gulf-Coast-Protection-District-gates-and-leadership-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246770-47300ed6646ff4f0182dafd5329ae6f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770714257&Signature=fAh3oTWQNZaidR87VuuBWy1LzlM3EDso6zcjwelRowLs3gqQKUpB7UbrL6CrtIcpSN9xX62iIZf0zTBGC6L-FhVNgIo2pMtTQBHr3OpmV2TjdBbVhRB9lljM5E7EqDcDNsHWC~Vq9Jvzqybr4R1PfaqqjdybrN335bg1K3ByCHlB4BJjHWcehnufv5qoy2kBCOPSDq7QnVY6SkAJ-nPfC1DhZ0PLv4Mv8ZUKp8i3zv0IYYpJsfqgSq4iJ~Huui8xpF6ASt1AF9ezo7JduMlqLHxerWRKJjXJN93py-xRpE1Lz1hzF2yiWCoxoY3p~MjPGvuOGQ-Lj0Y6cjgZelesBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 2970, the House version of Senate Bill 410, would require that the final design of the Gulf Coast Protection District\\'s coastal barrier gate system (Bolivar Gate) comply with existing requirements in Chapter 66 of the Transportation Code governing two-way vessel traffic and pilot navigation, committee sponsor Senator Middleton told the committee.

The committee substitute, Representative Middleton said, is identical to the committee substitute for SB 410 and also would allow the governor to appoint the district\\'s presiding officer, aligning GCPD leadership selection with other political subdivisions. Middleton said the design requirement is meant to ensure the gates \"will not interfere with our pilot\\'s ability to safely navigate the waterway or our state\\'s economic growth and commerce along the Houston Ship Channel.\"

No public testimony was registered for or against the bill at the hearing. Senator Sparks sent up the committee substitute. The committee left House Bill 2970 pending.

Discussion vs. decision: The sponsor presented a substitute that the committee agreed to send up; no committee vote was recorded in the transcript and no public witnesses opposed the measure in this session.

","House Bill 2970 (committee substitute) would require the Gulf Coast Protection District\\'s final gate design to comply with Transportation Code chapter 66 standards for two-way vessel traffic and would permit the governor to appoint the district\\'s presiding officer; committee substitute mirrors an earlier Senate bill and was left pending.",{"_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},6246774,"Bill would let TCEQ accept third-party or virtual inspections for proposed Class I injection wells",173,541000,714000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3215374-b04b64a379583d1d2cf4bca28252ad6b&start=541&end=714","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3215374-b04b64a379583d1d2cf4bca28252ad6b/thumbnail_541000.jpg","/articles/6246774/Texas/Bill-would-let-TCEQ-accept-third-party-or-virtual-inspections-for-proposed-Class-I-injection-wells","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246774-17640109b2767cd965cae3304b4719d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770714257&Signature=iF1lOyeT2cmMc9BF-8X04W8LGcWQte5~c87KV~aQhxF-kVbeU0KIjL8Y57mPGJcmIaD4yzGrFfxQkn7Ea9s3WDxws~OmIUOIMUQoNw~TbMubyxEphGmiVmhgGq4Df-D92zbMCGMEjTu35n4MPN9XFdLroyyNVWDIA6RCh0UlZ1RMOZ--jSJDLx~Qr45zg-6V6Ug5YaLXtI~~IxHyuav1sq87JCsDILZyB3rfetIuiKhpkSsHgPsrG2Nh9RfuX9iDTZR6H4pNfBe4QoEcPJmG0rKcXJ8RI~omR9bdYjX4qKiHnvzt5aVwSBcKg-sb6s192O4SNZNABXx93q~pnzwUmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1238 would permit the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to accept inspection reports prepared by licensed third-party engineers or geoscientists when reviewing proposed Class I injection wells, sponsor Senator Parker told the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.

Under current practice, Senator Parker said, TCEQ staff must travel to the site during the technical review, a process that can be time-consuming and costly. HB 1238 would allow third-party inspectors to determine local conditions and casing requirements, and would permit inspections to be conducted in person or virtually using \"satellite or other aerial imagery, mapping software, or other appropriate information sources.\" Parker emphasized that the bill would not prohibit physical visits by TCEQ staff but would expand the agency\\'s options.

Ty Embree, speaking for uranium industry interests, testified in favor of the bill, saying it would \"help the industry by giving the TCEQ more regulatory flexibility\" and describing it as a common-sense tool to reduce delays and costs. No public opposition was recorded during the hearing. The committee closed public testimony and left the bill pending.

Discussion vs. decision: The committee heard sponsor explanation and supportive industry testimony; no amendments or committee vote were recorded in this session.

","House Bill 1238 would allow the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to accept inspection reports from licensed third-party engineers or geoscientists and to use virtual tools (satellite, aerial imagery, mapping software) when reviewing Class I injection well applications; sponsor said the change is intended to reduce time and costs.",{"_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},6246777,"Committee hears bill to create Gulf Coast interstate compact for liquefied natural gas",271,313000,584000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3215374-b04b64a379583d1d2cf4bca28252ad6b&start=313&end=584","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3215374-b04b64a379583d1d2cf4bca28252ad6b/thumbnail_313000.jpg","/articles/6246777/Texas/Committee-hears-bill-to-create-Gulf-Coast-interstate-compact-for-liquefied-natural-gas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246777-5afd8bbc596c75ecaf4c52fd1e1ab7ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770714257&Signature=VMDThEufrtS4hKu92z51fryGDqcRwGxPthhLzxt9hsClfxk4HAKfqq7KLZiNB0qpcEALFaxvxaTqSJK5i6hsn8JT1Odo~j-cJTTV7zKgqKaC1JUOezpZMy6aAHaeup9y0OM4MHWd0geBROuzlhzCvEk2cUwYx75T4KgdHP~LTLW0eIIMBAMWMGiHNA5Pv4XCqSOVRgfyzhvnM-v9trX-c1Vg9dWLmu-qwiRn9sizV-K3gk0dGuVO5kL4ASjIF0trIGOBU9biNpu29hggFAVrO2XTgG2ue-ZFNdwHVKbLBtVlxV3DdIXAdca3tPdeMPTk3cW7TBXRTT37rpc78HvImg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 2890 would amend the Government Code to create an interstate compact aimed at increasing communication and coordination for the liquefied natural gas industry among Gulf states, sponsor Senator Parker told the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.

Senator Parker said the compact would include Texas and other Gulf states \"Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and of course, Florida\" and is intended to \"protect and encourage the liquefied natural gas industry along the Gulf Coast\" and improve industry efficiency. Parker described the economic scale of the sector, saying the LNG industry \"contributes nearly $44,000,000,000 annually to the U.S. GDP\" and that in 2023 LNG exports supported \"over 222,000 jobs nationwide with approximately 178,000 of which were located in the coastal region of Texas.\" He added that a pause placed on pending LNG projects in January 2024 prompted Texas to form an interim committee to protect LNG exports, and that HB 2890 was born from that committee report.

A committee member asked whether the compact would require congressional approval under the Constitution; Parker said the bill\\'s language mirrors prior compacts the Senate has passed and \"does not require congressional approval.\" The committee had no registered public witnesses and closed public testimony. The committee left House Bill 2890 pending.

Discussion vs. decision: Testimony was limited to the sponsor\\'s presentation and committee questions; no amendments or votes occurred. The committee recorded no public opposition during this hearing.

","House Bill 2890 would author an interstate compact among Gulf states to coordinate and promote the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry; sponsor said the bill mirrors prior compacts and is modeled to avoid requiring congressional approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee hears bill to bar counties from requiring cash bonds for pipeline construction

Committee reviews bill on Gulf Coast Protection District gates and leadership appointments

Bill would let TCEQ accept third-party or virtual inspections for proposed Class I injection wells

Committee hears bill to create Gulf Coast interstate compact for liquefied natural gas