Bill

SB 568

85(R) - 2017
Senate Natural Resources & Economic Development
Senate Natural Resources & Economic Development
Oil & Gas
Open Records
State Agencies
Transparency

Vote Recommendation

Vote No; Amend
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Negative

Author(s)

José Rodríguez

Bill Caption

Relating to the posting by the Railroad Commission of Texas on its Internet website of certain enforcement information.

Fiscal Notes

A negative impact of ($30,743) through the biennium ending August 31, 2019. The provisions of the bill may only be implemented with funding provided in the General Appropriations Act of the 85th Legislature for the biennium beginning September 1, 2017, that would be available to be spent on the website publication of information related to the Railroad Commission's inspection and enforcement activities.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

Under current law, the Railroad Commission is not required to publish information on its website about inspections, trends, and regulatory enforcement. SB 568 would require the commission to add a comprehensive, searchable, and downloadable repository of information on its website containing reports on these topics.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Though this bill contains provisions that we in general have no objection to, the provision that requires the information to be searchable based on individuals and operators violates our principles of limited government, property rights, and individual liberty. This provision exposes private information that an individual required to comply with government regulation would have no ability to opt-out of. This type of system infringement is one that cannot be ignored, and for these reasons we oppose SB 568. If that provision were to be removed or to protect the information of the owner, we would withdraw our objection.

Organizations Supporting

Clean Water Action
Environment Texas
Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club
Texas Campaign for the Environment
Texas Land and Mineral Owners Association
Texas Press Association

Organizations Opposed

Chesapeake Energy
Permian Basin Petroleum Association
Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association
Texas Oil and Gas Association