The Wise ReportHenry M. Wise, P.GMay 7, 2011
Representatives
Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Uranium
Resources Stewardship Act (H.R. 1452, http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:h.r.01452)
to manage uranium mining on federal lands through a competitive leasing program
and to impose a 12.5 percent royalty on uranium. Under current law, the General
Mining Act of 1872, companies do not pay royalties for minerals taken from
public lands. Advocates for the bill say companies are not paying for cleanup
and reclamation costs. Mining companies are opposed to any new measure that
requires added fees. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) introduced similar
legislation in 2009, but the bill did not advance in the Senate.
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. 4/26/2011 – Referred to Transportation &
Homeland Security. 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..." 5/9/2011 - Placed on intent calendar. 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. 4/29/2011 - Committee report sent to
calendars. 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. 4/27/2011 - Committee report
sent to calendars. 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. 4/13/2011 - No
action taken in committee. 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. Scheduled for public hearing on
5/10/2011. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB2067
HB-2268, by Hancock, Relating to
compliance with state and federal environmental permits. 4/20/2011 - Left pending in committee.
For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB2268
HB-2311, by Miller, Relating to
exemptions from groundwater conservation district permit requirements. 4/26/2011 - Laid on the table subject to
call. For more informatio