The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G
May 15, 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.
4/26/2011 – 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..." 5/11/2011 – Sent to the Governor. 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. 5/13/2011 – Senate passage reported.
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 informat