The Wise Report
May 30, 2009
Henry M. Wise, P.G
This Texs legislative session ends on Monday, June 1, 2009. The following is a list of new legislation that may be of interest to Texas geologists. Those bills listed with an "*" are bills that have been sent to the Governor for his signature or are now effective, those in bold are updated information.
S.B 136. Author: Ellis. 2/10/2009-Referred to Natural Resources. Relating to the Texas Global Warming Solutions Act; imposing a fee and providing a penalty. For full details go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB136
S.B. 273 (same as H.B. 177). Author: Nichols, Williams. 4/7/2009-Left Pending in Committee. Relating to testing requirements for certain commercial injection wells. This bill allows for additional soil testing and groundwater monitoring. Full details can be found at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB273
H.B. 177 (same as S.B. 273, above). Author: Creighton. 3/24/2009-Left Pending in Committee. Relating to testing requirements for certain commercial injection wells. This bill allows for additional soil testing and groundwater monitoring. Full details can be found at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB273
S.B. 274 (same as H.B. 178). Author: Nichols. 3/24/2009-Left Pending in Committee. Relating to limitation on the location of injection wells. Prohibits injection wells near faults, in recharge zones, and within 0.5 miles of water supply wells, residences, schools, churches, etc. Doesn't say what type of injection wells and therefore has the potential to shut down ISR mining. Full details can be found at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB274
H.B. 178 (same as S.B. 274, as above). Author: Creighton. 3/24/2009-Left Pending in Committee. Relating to limitation on the location of injection wells. Prohibits injection wells near faults, in recharge zones, and within 0.5 miles of water supply wells, residences, schools, churches, etc. Doesn't say what type of injection wells and therefore has the potential to shut down ISR mining. Full details can be found at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB178
S.B. 275 (same as H.B. 179). Author: Nichols. 5/22/2009-Placed on General State Calendar. Relating to the application of new requirements for commercial underground injection control wells to be adopted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Full details can be found at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB273
H.B. 179 (same as S.B. 275, above). Author: Creighton, Eisser. 5/11/2009-Placed on General State Calendar. Relating to the application of new requirements for commercial underground injection control wells to be adopted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Full details can be found at: