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TexasHB 266389th Legislature Regular SessionHouse

Relating to the affirmation required to be made by an operator as part of an application to the Railroad Commission of Texas for an extension of the deadline for plugging an inactive well; providing an administrative penalty.

Sponsored By: Brian Birdwell (Republican), Drew Darby, Ken King, Eddie Morales

Signed by Governor

Oil & GasSafetyUtilities--ElectricRAILROAD COMMISSION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Well operators face cleanup penalties

For applications filed beginning September 1, 2025, operators seeking more time to plug inactive wells must submit written statements. They must confirm that electric service to the production site has been physically shut off. Operators who do not own the surface land must also confirm cleanup based on the well’s inactive years. At five to under 10 years, all piping, tanks, vessels, and equipment used only for that well must be emptied or purged of production fluids. At 10 years or more, required removals include surface process equipment, related piping, tanks, tank batteries, pump jacks, headers, fences, and commission-defined junk and trash. Electric-service equipment must also be removed, except equipment owned by an electric utility. Inactive years are measured at the operator’s organization-report renewal date. The Railroad Commission of Texas must impose penalties up to $25,000 per violation for making the statement but failing to disconnect power or complete required removals. Earlier applications remain under the prior law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Brian Birdwell

    Republican • Senate

  • Drew Darby

    House

  • Ken King

    House

  • Eddie Morales

    House

Cosponsors

  • César Blanco

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 197 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/19/2025

Record vote

Yes: 31 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/19/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 5/6/2025

Record vote

Yes: 148 • No: 0

House vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Energy Resources

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Senate vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Natural Resources

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective immediately

    5/29/2025House

  2. Signed by the Governor

    5/29/2025House

  3. Sent to the Governor

    5/20/2025House

  4. Signed in the Senate

    5/20/2025Senate

  5. Signed in the House

    5/20/2025House

  6. Reported enrolled

    5/19/2025House

  7. Senate passage reported

    5/19/2025House

  8. Record vote

    5/19/2025Senate

  9. Passed

    5/19/2025Senate

  10. Read 3rd time

    5/19/2025Senate

  11. Record vote

    5/19/2025Senate

  12. Three day rule suspended

    5/19/2025Senate

  13. Vote recorded in Journal

    5/19/2025Senate

  14. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading

    5/19/2025Senate

  15. Rules suspended-Regular order of business

    5/19/2025Senate

  16. Placed on intent calendar

    5/19/2025Senate

  17. Co-sponsor authorized

    5/19/2025Senate

  18. Committee report printed and distributed

    5/15/2025Senate

  19. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar

    5/15/2025Senate

  20. Reported favorably w/o amendments

    5/15/2025Senate

  21. Vote taken in committee

    5/14/2025Senate

  22. Considered in public hearing

    5/14/2025Senate

  23. Posting rule suspended

    5/14/2025Senate

  24. Left pending in committee

    5/14/2025Senate

  25. Testimony taken in committee

    5/14/2025Senate

Bill Text

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