The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G
April 17, 2011
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. 4/13/2011
– Received from the House. 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..." 4/7/2011 – Received from the House. 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. Scheduled for public hearing on 4/20/2011.
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. 4/14/2011 – Reported favorably without amendments. 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. Scheduled for
public hearing on 4/13/2011. 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. 4/15/2011 – Committee report
distributed. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bil