Senate Committee on Natural Resources
NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 79th Legislative Session.
Committee Information
CHAIR
Kip Averitt
VICE-CHAIR
Craig Estes
MEMBERS
Gonzalo Barrientos
Robert Duncan
Troy Fraser
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Mike Jackson
Jon Lindsay
Kel Seliger
Todd Staples
CLERK:
Teddy Carter
TEL:
(512) 463-0390
LOCATION:
Sam Houston Building, 325
Video/Audio — Archives
79th Session Interim
- October 11, 2006
- September 22, 2006 (Part II) — Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Natural Resources, House Committee on Natural Resources (Part II); Road Meeting: San Antonio (Audio only)
- September 22, 2006 (Part I) — Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Natural Resources, House Committee on Natural Resources (Part I); Road Meeting: San Antonio (Audio only)
- August 9, 2006 — 2-Day hearing in Houston (Audio only.)
- August 8, 2006 — 2-Day hearing in Houston (Audio only.)
- July 14, 2006 — 2-Day hearing in Dallas: Audio only.
- July 13, 2006 — 2-Day hearing in Dallas: Audio only.
- June 28, 2006
- June 16, 2006
79th 2nd Called Session
- August 9, 2005 — audio only
79th 1st Called Session
- June 29, 2005 — audio only
- June 27, 2005
79th Regular Session
- May 23, 2005
- May 20, 2005 — audio only
- May 19, 2005
- May 17, 2005
- May 16, 2005
- May 12, 2005
- May 11, 2005
- May 10, 2005
- May 5, 2005
- May 3, 2005
- April 28, 2005
- April 26, 2005
- April 21, 2005
- April 19, 2005
- April 14, 2005
- April 12, 2005
- April 5, 2005
- March 31, 2005
- March 22, 2005
- March 15, 2005
- March 8, 2005
- February 15, 2005
- February 1, 2005
Reports
The following reports are available for download:
- The following items are the Senate Committee on Natural Resources Interim Reports to the 80th Legislature:
- Oil, Gas and Alternative Fuel Issues (21.4 MB, PDF format)
- State Air Programs (1.1 MB, PDF format)
- Water Issues (46 MB, PDF format)
Interim Charges
- Monitor ongoing efforts to improve air quality in Texas and review development and mplementation of the State Implementation Plan. Examine the effectiveness of the Low Income Vehicle Repair and Assistance Program and the Texas Emissions Reduction Program.
- Study and assess all issues related to ground and surface water law, policy and management, including, but not limited to:
- the role of federal, state, regional and local governments, including river authorities and other water management entities, and their jurisdiction, authority, and coordination in setting consistent, nondiscriminatory water policies;
- the statutory, regulatory, and/or economic impediments to implementing key water management strategies recommended in the Regional and State Water Plans;
- the role of groundwater conservation districts;
- conjunctive use of both ground and surface water resources;
- rule of capture;
- historic use standards;
- water infrastructure and financing, including financing sources for new water resources;
- interbasin transfers;
- water rights, including environmental flows, junior water rights;
- the transition of water rights from agricultural to municipal and industrial uses and coordination among transitioning water management authorities;
- conservation;
- drought preparedness;
- and water marketing.
- Identify areas of the state where surface or groundwater was contaminated by petroleum operations. Determine the appropriate regulatory and technical requirements to remediate the contamination and prevent future contamination, and recommend appropriate agency jurisdiction for preventing, responding and remediating such incidents.
- Study the increasing use of liquefied natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG) and propane. Examine the way those products fit into a diverse fuel mix. Review the current status of LNG terminals on the Texas coast. Study mineral owners and surface owners rights and obligations for the manner in which they enter and use property. Make recommendations on ways in which surface and mineral owners could communicate more effectively. Monitor the Railroad Commission study of competition in the Texas natural gas pipeline industry.
- Review current regulations regarding landfills and sewer plants. Study areas of the state to determine where and why there may be significant concentration of these facilities in a particular area/region of the state. Examine siting procedures, notice requirements, and the implementation of TCEQ rules.
- Study and make recommendations relating to investment needs and economic barriers to developing bio-diesel, bio-fuels, ethanol, and other renewable products in Texas. Compare agriculturally-developed renewable fuel initiatives in other states.
- Study the permitting exemptions and water well regulations in Sec. 36.117, Water Code. Review the jurisdiction over the regulation of groundwater pumping in conjunction with drilling and production of oil and gas.
- Review mineral owners and surface owners rights and obligations for the manner in which they enter and use property. Make recommendations on ways in which surface and mineral owners could communicate more effectively.
