The Texas State Senate – 84th Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development

Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development

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» Video/Audio · Interim Charges · Reports

NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 84th Legislative Session.

Committee Information

CHAIR
Craig Estes

MEMBERS
Brian Birdwell
Troy Fraser
Bob Hall
Kelly Hancock
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Robert Nichols
Kel Seliger
Carlos Uresti
Judith Zaffirini

TEL:
(512) 463-0390

LOCATION:
Sam Houston Building, 325

Schedule, Minutes, Witness List and Bills Referred to Committee (via TLO)

Video/Audio — Archives

84th Session Interim

84th Regular Session

May 25, 2015 — Audio only.
May 21, 2015 (Part II) — Audio only.
May 21, 2015 (Part I)
May 19, 2015 (Part II)
May 19, 2015 (Part I)
May 14, 2015
May 12, 2015
May 5, 2015
May 5, 2015 — (Subcommittee on Natural Resources & Economic Development)
April 30, 2015
April 28, 2015 (Part II)
April 28, 2015 (Part I)
April 21, 2015

Reports

The following reports are available for download:

Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development Interim Report to the 85th Legislature (5.1 MB, PDF format)

Interim Charges

Study the impact and identify challenges Texas faces implementing proposed federal Environmental Protection Agency regulations, including, but not limited to the Clean Power Plan, Reduction of Methane & Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from oil and gas facilities, Ozone standards, Regional Haze, and Waters of the U.S. Make recommendations for legislative or constitutional action the committee considers necessary.
Study and make recommendations regarding the use of Texas Emission Reduction Plan (TERP) funds, including reducing air emissions from mobile sources in response to changes in ozone standards.
Evaluate the effectiveness and necessity of programs and resources currently used to support economic development in Texas. Make recommendations regarding continuation of effective strategies, modification of existing administrative or regulatory barriers, and the reduction or elimination of ineffective programs.
Evaluate the permitting process in Texas and neighboring states and make recommendations for eliminating unnecessary barriers and expediting the process to ensure that the regulatory process is consistent and predictable.
Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. In this oversight and monitoring, the committee should:

identify and recommend opportunities to streamline programs or services and enhance grid safety while maintaining the mission of ERCOT and PUC and their programs; and
identify barriers ERCOT or PUC may have in their governance that may be appropriate to improve or eliminate.

Study and make recommendations for solving the oil field theft problems facing Texas, including identifying the proper mechanisms for increasing enforcement effectiveness.
Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development during the 84th Legislature, Regular Session and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following:

Legislation relating to Texas aerospace incentives;
Expedited permitting;
Electric utility rate adjustments.