Title NR, Natural Resources Code

Sec. 71.002. AUTHORITY TO LEASE. A political subdivision may lease land owned by it for mineral development, including development of coal and lignite. Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2504, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.

Sec. 71.003. GOVERNING BODY TO EXERCISE AUTHORITY. The governing body of the political subdivision which is vested by law with management, control, and supervision of the political subdivision shall exercise the right to lease the land. Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2504, ch. 871, art…

Sec. 71.004. NOTICE AND HEARING. Before a lease is made under this subchapter, notice must be given and a public hearing must be held for consideration of bids. Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2504, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.

Sec. 71.005. NOTICE OF INTENTION TO LEASE LAND. (a) After the governing body determines that it is advisable to lease land belonging to the political subdivision, it shall give notice of the intention to lease the land. (b) The notice shall describe the land to be leased and desi…

Sec. 71.006. RECEIVING BIDS AND AWARDING LEASE. On the date specified in the notice, the governing body of the political subdivision shall receive and consider bids submitted for leasing all or part of the land that was advertised for lease, and the governing body may award the l…

Sec. 71.007. REJECTION OF BIDS AND ADDITIONAL BIDS. If the governing body believes that the bids submitted to it do not represent the fair value of the leases, the governing body may reject the bids, give notice, and call for additional bids. Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2505, ch. 87…

Sec. 71.008. GRANT OF LEASE. A lease made under this subchapter, including leases for coal and lignite, may be granted by public auction. Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2505, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.

Sec. 71.009. ROYALTY. (a) In each lease other than a lease for coal and lignite executed under this subchapter, the lessor shall retain at least a one-eighth royalty. (b) In a lease for coal and lignite executed under this subchapter, the lessor shall retain at least a royalty ba…

Sec. 71.010. LEASE TERM. (a) No primary term of a lease other than a lease for coal and lignite made under this subchapter may be for a period of more than 10 years from the date of the execution and approval of the lease. (b) No primary term for a coal and lignite lease made und…

Sec. 71.051. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "City or town" means a city or town organized or chartered under the general laws of the state or under a special act or charter. (2) "Political subdivision" means a body corporate which has a recognized and defined area. Acts 197…

Sec. 71.052. INSERTING POOLING PROVISIONS IN LEASES. A city, town, or political subdivision may insert in an oil and gas lease or in an oil, gas, and mineral lease executed by it a provision authorizing the lessee to pool the lease, the land or minerals included in the lease, or …

Sec. 71.053. COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES. With respect to land owned by the city or town or other land owned by the political subdivisions, the drilling or spacing units may not be more than the minimum number of acres on which an oil and gas well must be located to com…

Sec. 71.054. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF LEASES OF COUNTY SCHOOL LAND. Leases of county school land that are governed by Article VII, Section 6, of the Texas Constitution, may include authorization for the formation of drilling and spacing units on any terms and provisions the commis…

Sec. 71.055. ADDITIONAL TERMS OF LEASES. A lease covered by this subchapter may provide: (1) that the entire acreage pooled into a unit shall be treated for all purposes except the payment of royalties as if it were included in the lease and drilling or reworking operations and p…

Sec. 71.056. AMENDING LEASE. On application of the lessee or present owner of any oil and gas lease or any oil, gas, and mineral lease validly executed before June 4, 1953, by any city, town, or political subdivision, the governing body of the city, town, or political subdivision…

Sec. 71.057. AUTHORITY TO COMMIT ROYALTY INTERESTS. (a) A city, town, or political subdivision without notice may commit, to any agreement that provides for the operation of areas as a unit for the exploration, development, and production of oil or gas, any royalty interests owne…

Sec. 81.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Commission" means the Railroad Commission of Texas. (2) "Commissioner" means any member of the Railroad Commission of Texas. Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2508, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.

Sec. 81.002. DEFINITION OF PERSON FOR CERTAIN PROVISIONS. In this chapter: (1) "person" includes a corporation, as provided by Section 312.011, Government Code; and (2) the definition of "person" assigned by Section 311.005, Government Code, does not apply. Added by Acts 2009, 81…

Sec. 81.01001. SUNSET PROVISION. (a) The Railroad Commission of Texas is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the commission is abolished September 1, 2029. (b) The Railroad Commission of Texas shal…

Sec. 81.01002. CHAIRMAN. The commissioners shall elect one commissioner as the chairman. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 3.02, eff. April 1, 2011.

Sec. 81.01003. QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE. A commissioner must be: (1) a qualified voter under the constitution and laws; and (2) at least 25 years of age. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 3.02, eff. April 1, 2011.

Sec. 81.01004. PERSONAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE, STANDARDS OF CONDUCT, AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST. A commissioner is subject to the provisions of Chapter 572, Government Code, that apply to elected officers, including the requirements governing personal financial statements, standards…

Sec. 81.01005. NAME AND SEAL. (a) The commissioners are known collectively as the "Railroad Commission of Texas." (b) The seal of the commission contains a star of five points with the words "Railroad Commission of Texas" engraved on it. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 8…

Sec. 81.01006. PROCEDURAL RULES. The commissioners may adopt all rules necessary for the commission's government and proceedings. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 3.02, eff. April 1, 2011.

Sec. 81.01007. SUPPLIES. The commissioners shall be furnished necessary furniture, stationery, supplies, and expenses, to be paid for on the order of the governor. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 3.02, eff. April 1, 2011.

Sec. 81.01008. SESSIONS. The commission may hold sessions at any place in this state when considered necessary. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 3.02, eff. April 1, 2011.

Sec. 81.01009. RECORDS RESEARCH FEE. The commission shall charge a person who requests an examination or search of commission records $5 for each half hour or fraction of a half hour that a commission employee spends in the examination or search unless the person requesting the s…

Sec. 81.01010. FEE FOR COPIES. (a) The commission may charge a fee for copies of papers provided by the commission to a person other than a department of this state. (b) The fee for a copy of a paper, document, or record in the commission's office, including the certificate and s…

Sec. 81.01011. METHOD OF MAKING PAYMENTS TO COMMISSION. (a) The commission may authorize payment, as prescribed by the commission, of a regulatory fee, fine, penalty, or charge for goods and services by means of an electronic payment method or a credit card issued by a financial …

Sec. 81.01012. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. (a) In this section, "contested case" has the meaning assigned by Section 2001.003, Government Code. (b) The commission may apply for, request, solicit, contract for, receive, accept, and administer gifts, grants, and donations of mone…

Sec. 81.01013. CONFLICT OF INTEREST. (a) In this section, "Texas trade association" means a cooperative and voluntarily joined association of business or professional competitors in this state designed to assist its members and its industry or profession in dealing with mutual bu…

Sec. 81.01014. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY. (a) The commission shall prepare and maintain a written policy statement that implements a program of equal employment opportunity to ensure that all personnel decisions are made without regard to race, color, disability, sex, religion…

Sec. 81.01016. SEPARATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES. The commission shall develop and implement policies that clearly separate the policy-making responsibilities of the commissioners and the management responsibilities of the staff of the commission. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S.…

Sec. 81.011. CHIEF SUPERVISOR. (a) The commission shall employ a chief supervisor of its oil and gas division to assist the commission in enforcing the laws relating to the production, transportation, and conservation of oil and gas and rules and orders of the commission adopted …

Sec. 81.012. QUALIFICATIONS OF CHIEF SUPERVISOR. In addition to other qualifications that may be required by the commission, a person appointed chief supervisor must have had at least five years' experience in some line of the oil or gas business, or in some other business or pro…

Sec. 81.013. DEPUTY SUPERVISORS, ASSISTANTS, AND CLERICAL PERSONNEL. The commission may appoint a chief deputy supervisor, deputy supervisors, assistants, and clerical personnel necessary to execute the laws relating to oil and gas. Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2509, ch. 871, art. I,…

Sec. 81.014. QUALIFICATIONS OF CHIEF DEPUTY SUPERVISOR. A person appointed chief deputy supervisor must have had at least three years' experience in oil and gas field work. Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2509, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.

Sec. 81.015. QUALIFICATIONS OF DEPUTY SUPERVISORS. Any person appointed deputy supervisor must have had at least two years' experience in oil and gas field work, including substantial experience in drilling or production. Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2509, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, ef…

Sec. 81.016. SALARIES. The salary of the chief supervisor, the chief deputy supervisor, and the deputy supervisors shall be the same as that provided in the General Appropriations Act. Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2509, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.

Sec. 81.0165. SALARY OF SECRETARY. The salary of the secretary of the commission shall be the amount appropriated for that purpose by the legislature. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 3.02, eff. April 1, 2011.

Sec. 81.017. ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES. The commission may employ gaugers, inspectors, investigators, supervisors, and clerical employees. These employees shall include a chief engineer, chief petroleum engineer, and an administrative chief, and their salaries shall be paid in the amo…

Sec. 81.018. PAYMENT OF SALARIES AND OTHER EXPENSES. (a) Salaries and other expenses necessary in the administration and enforcement of the oil and gas laws shall be paid by warrants drawn by the comptroller on the State Treasury from general revenue. (b) Warrants for expenses sh…

Sec. 81.019. DUTIES OF CHIEF SUPERVISOR, CHIEF DEPUTY SUPERVISOR, DEPUTY SUPERVISORS, AND OTHER EMPLOYEES. The chief supervisor, chief deputy supervisor, deputy supervisors, and other employees shall perform the duties prescribed by the commission in conformity with rules of the …

Sec. 81.020. ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF CHIEF SUPERVISOR AND HIS DEPUTIES. (a) The chief supervisor and his deputies shall supervise the plugging of all abandoned wells and the shooting of wells and shall follow the rules of the commission relating to the production and conservation of…

Sec. 81.021. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. (a) The commission may: (1) apply for, register, secure, hold, and protect under the laws of the United States or any state or nation: (A) a patent for the invention, discovery, or improvement of any process, machine, manufacture, or compositio…

Sec. 81.051. JURISDICTION OF COMMISSION. (a) The commission has jurisdiction over all: (1) common carrier pipelines defined in Section 111.002 of this code in Texas; (2) oil and gas wells in Texas; (3) persons owning or operating pipelines in Texas; (4) persons owning or engaged …