All Roll Calls
Yes: 301 • No: 47
TexasHB 4989th Legislature Regular SessionHouse
Relating to the treatment and beneficial use of fluid oil and gas waste and related material, including a limitation on liability for that treatment or use.
Sponsored By: Terry Canales, Tom Craddick, Drew Darby, Paul Dyson, Eddie Morales, Charles Perry (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Civil Remedies & LiabilitiesEnvironment--GeneralEnvironment--WaterOil & GasWater--General
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Landowners protected from waste exposure claims
Surface landowners are not liable for injury, death, or property damage from exposure when others handle waste on or under their land. This covers fluid oil and gas waste, treated waste, and treatment byproducts that others produce, convey, transport, or treat. Producers and later recipients remain liable to surface landowners under applicable law. The protection applies to legal claims arising on or after September 1, 2025.
Waste suppliers and treaters gain liability limits
Suppliers sending fluid oil and gas waste to treatment facilities gain protection from damage claims involving later treatment, use, or exposure to waste components or process byproducts. Treaters who reuse treated waste, or transfer it under a reuse agreement, gain protection from claims involving another person's later use. Exposure claims remain available for gross negligence, intentional wrongdoing, or negligence combined with rule or permit violations. Liability to surface landowners remains, but punitive damages are barred in the specified negligence-and-regulatory-violation cases. These changes apply to claims arising on or after September 1, 2025; earlier claims remain governed by prior law.
Required rules for oil waste reuse
Beginning September 1, 2025, the Texas Railroad Commission must adopt rules for treating and reusing fluid oil and gas waste. The rules must also cover treated waste and treatment byproducts. The law sets no rulemaking deadline and specifies no funding for this work.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Terry Canales
House
Tom Craddick
House
Drew Darby
House
Paul Dyson
House
Eddie Morales
House
Charles Perry
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Jeff Barry
House
Benjamin Bumgarner
House
Philip Cortez
House
Pat Curry
House
Jay Dean
House
Josey Garcia
House
R.D. "Bobby" Guerra
House
Carrie Isaac
House
Brooks Landgraf
House
Terri Leo Wilson
House
Don McLaughlin
House
Mihaela Plesa
House
Ellen Troxclair
House
Denise Villalobos
House
Trey Wharton
House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/25/2025
Record vote
Yes: 29 • No: 2
Senate vote • 5/25/2025
Record vote
Yes: 29 • No: 2
House vote • 5/10/2025
Record vote
Yes: 109 • No: 21
House vote • 5/9/2025
Record vote
Yes: 118 • No: 22
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Natural Resources
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Energy Resources
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective on 9/1/25
6/20/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
6/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
5/28/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
5/27/2025SenateSigned in the House
5/27/2025HouseReported enrolled
5/26/2025HouseSenate passage reported
5/26/2025HouseRecord vote
5/25/2025SenatePassed
5/25/2025SenateRead 3rd time
5/25/2025SenateRecord vote
5/25/2025SenateThree day rule suspended
5/25/2025SenateVote recorded in Journal
5/25/2025SenateRead 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
5/25/2025SenateVote recorded in Journal
5/25/2025SenateRules suspended-Regular order of business
5/25/2025SenatePlaced on intent calendar
5/25/2025SenateCommittee report printed and distributed
5/22/2025SenateRecommended for local & uncontested calendar
5/22/2025SenateReported favorably w/o amendments
5/22/2025SenateVote taken in committee
5/21/2025SenateConsidered in public hearing
5/21/2025SenateLeft pending in committee
5/21/2025SenateTestimony taken in committee
5/21/2025SenateConsidered in public hearing
5/21/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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