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HB 2663

Relating to the affirmation required to be made by an operator as part of an application to the Railroad Commission of Texas for an extension of the deadline for plugging an inactive well; providing an administrative penalty.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Brian Birdwell and 3 co-sponsors

Texas requires oil/gas operators to submit verified affirmations for well-plugging deadline extensions and imposes administrative penalties for non-compliance or false statements.

Effective immediately
#oil&gas(i0545) #railroadcommission(v0089) #safety(i0740) #utilities--electric(i0831)
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Bill Summary · HB 2663

Legislative bill overview

HB 2663 modifies the affirmation requirements that oil and gas well operators must submit to the Texas Railroad Commission when requesting extensions to plug inactive wells. The bill establishes administrative penalties for operators who fail to comply with these affirmation requirements or submit false information.

Why is this important

Inactive wells represent environmental and safety risks, including potential groundwater contamination and methane emissions. This bill strengthens enforcement mechanisms to ensure operators properly maintain wells and follow through on plugging obligations, while the penalty structure incentivizes compliance with state regulations designed to prevent orphaned or abandoned wells.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance costs: Operators may face increased administrative burdens and potential penalties, which could be passed to stakeholders or discourage small operators from seeking legitimate extensions for legitimate operational reasons
  • Penalty structure clarity: The bill references administrative penalties but does not specify penalty amounts in this summary, leaving questions about proportionality and enforcement consistency
  • Extension approval standards: Unclear whether stricter affirmation requirements might lead to fewer approved extensions, potentially accelerating well plugging timelines regardless of operational necessity

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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