The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G
March 20, 2011
The Professional Geoscientist Task Force has learned that the TBPG will not be allowed to become a SDSI Board, nor will it be allowed to stand as is. Therefore, it appears we need to make sure that we have the remaining options left are the best we can do. Currently, there are three bills before the Legislature that we are following, HB 2680, HB 2543 and HB 3166.
HB 2680 will abolish the TBPG and place geologists under the Texas Board of Professional Engineers. The Task Force is working on proposing an amendment that will essential create two separate boards that are under one entity. This may be our best option. We can share the administration staff, but keep our rules and Board essentially intact. We'd be able to operate as before, as would the Engineers.
The other two other bills, HB 2543 and HB 3166, are similar to each other, and the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists would be left intact, in it's current form. If either of these two bills pass, there's still the possibility that the Governor could line-item veto the funding for the TBPG.
The only other question that needs to be answered is what happens if HB 2680, and HB 2543 and/or HB 3166 pass the legislature. HB 2680 will combine the PG and PE boards. The other two bills combine the PE board with several other boards, but the PG board isn't included. Which bill takes president? Will the Governor veto one? This still needs to be worked out.
I've been compiling a list of proposed bills that may be of interest to geologists. If you have any that I have missed, let me know and I'll include them. Filing of proposed bills has begun and here's the ones I'm currently watching. All new items or updates are in bold:
HB-377, by McClendon, Relating to the expenditure of money from the general revenue fund for rail projects. 3/16/2011 - Reported favorably without amendments. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB377
HB-444, by Creighton, Relating to notification of applications for permits for certain injection wells. "If an application is received in proper form for a permit for an injection well to dispose of industrial and municipal waste and the proposed location of the injection well is in the territory of a groundwater conservation district, the executive director shall submit a copy of the application to the governing body of the groundwater conservation district. The groundwater conservation district may make recommendations to the commission concerning any aspect of the application..." 3/15/2011 - Reported favorably as substituted. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB444
HB-977, by Burnham, Relating to the development of a climate adaptation plan by certain entities. 2/28/2011 - Referred to State Affairs. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB977
HB-1164, by Keffer, Relating to enforcement actions by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers against political subdivisions and certain public officials. The PE Board may not impose an administrative penalty for a violation on a political subdivision, or public official or employee of the state or of a political subdivision of the state who is not licensed under this chapter. Geologists aren't mentioned in this piece of legislation, but could eventually be. 3/1/2011 - Referred to Licensing & Administrative Procedures. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB1164
HB-1302, by Larson, Relating to the establishment of the Texas Energy and Communications Commission to consolidate the functions of the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Railroad Commission of Texas. 3/1/2011 - Referred to Energy Resources . For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB1302
HB-2067, by Callegari, Relating to the regulation of the practice of engineering by individuals engaged in the evaluation of oil and gas resources. 3/8/2011 - Referred to Licensing & Administrative Proceedures. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx