Assigned to Committee Authored by Ken King (R) View at Source
Caption: Relating to wildfire prevention, mitigation, and response at certain wells under the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas; authorizing an administrative penalty. Initially Referred to House Energy Resources Committee, chaired by a Republican Last Referred to Senate Natural Resources Committee, chaired by a Republican This bill would cost taxpayers $49,641,611.00 over five years, according to the Legislative Budget Bureau.
HB 3334 establishes new wildfire prevention, mitigation, and response requirements for oil and gas wells under the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas. The bill mandates that operators conduct annual wildfire safety inspections using bonded and state-certified third-party inspectors. It also requires inspections before the transfer of well ownership and grants the commission authority to take control of abandoned wells. Additionally, it allows for terminating electric service to orphaned or inactive wells posing wildfire risks. Operators failing to comply may face administrative penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, with penalties accruing daily until violations are addressed.
Feb 25, 2025
(H) King signed onto the bill as Author (H) Filed
Mar 21, 2025
(H) Read first time (H) Referred to the House Energy Resources, chaired by a Republican
Apr 7, 2025
(H) Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Apr 14, 2025
(H) House Energy Resources met. (H) Considered in public hearing (H) Committee substitute considered in committee (H) Reported favorably as substituted
Apr 28, 2025
(H) Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator (H) Committee report distributed
Apr 29, 2025
(H) Committee report sent to Calendars
May 6, 2025
(H) Considered in Calendars
May 8, 2025
(H) Placed on General State Calendar
May 9, 2025
(H) Read 2nd time (H) A Republican amendment (No. 1) from King was offered. (H) A Republican amendment (No. 2) from King amended the bill. (H) A Republican amendment (No. 1) from King was adopted as amended. (H) Passed to engrossment as amended
(Mon 4/7/2025) Testifying before H Energy Resources as Schuyler Wight for self (Mon 4/7/2025) Registering before H Energy Resources as Travis Baer for Railroad Commission of Texas