Bill Text: TX HB448 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to a requirement that the operator of an oil or gas well on which a hydraulic fracturing treatment is to be performed mail a list of the chemicals to be used in the treatment to persons residing near the well.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-20 - Left pending in committee [HB448 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB448-Introduced.html
  83R1946 SMH-D
 
  By: Dukes H.B. No. 448
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a requirement that the operator of an oil or gas well on
  which a hydraulic fracturing treatment is to be performed mail a
  list of the chemicals to be used in the treatment to persons
  residing near the well.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 91.851, Natural Resources
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 91.851.  PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF COMPOSITION OF HYDRAULIC
  FRACTURING FLUIDS FOLLOWING PERFORMANCE OF HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
  TREATMENT.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter S, Chapter 91, Natural Resources
  Code, is amended by adding Section 91.852 to read as follows:
         Sec. 91.852.  DISCLOSURE TO NEARBY RESIDENTS OF CHEMICAL
  INGREDIENTS ANTICIPATED TO BE USED IN HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
  TREATMENT. (a) The commission by rule shall require an operator of
  a well on which a hydraulic fracturing treatment is to be performed
  to mail to each person residing within 500 feet of the well a list of
  the chemical ingredients that the operator:
               (1)  anticipates will be used in the hydraulic
  fracturing treatment; and
               (2)  is required to disclose to the commission under
  Section 91.851.
         (b)  The rules adopted under this section must:
               (1)  require the notice to be mailed not later than the
  30th day before the date the hydraulic fracturing treatment begins;
  and
               (2)  prescribe a process by which:
                     (A)  the operator may withhold and declare the
  identity of a chemical ingredient anticipated to be used in the
  hydraulic fracturing treatment as a trade secret; and
                     (B)  a person to whom the notice is required to be
  mailed may challenge a claim by the operator of entitlement to trade
  secret protection under Paragraph (A).
         SECTION 3.  Section 91.852, Natural Resources Code, as added
  by this Act, applies only to a hydraulic fracturing treatment
  performed on a well for which an initial drilling permit is issued
  on or after the date the rules adopted by the Railroad Commission of
  Texas under that section take effect. A hydraulic fracturing
  treatment performed on a well for which an initial drilling permit
  is issued before the date the rules take effect is governed by the
  law as it existed immediately before the effective date of this Act,
  and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  The Railroad Commission of Texas shall adopt
  rules under Section 91.852, Natural Resources Code, as added by
  this Act, not later than December 1, 2013.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
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