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HB 3091

Relating to the regulation by the Railroad Commission of Texas of injection wells used to dispose of oil and gas waste; authorizing a fee.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Vikki Goodwin

HB 3091 grants Texas Railroad Commission expanded authority to regulate oil and gas waste injection wells and charge operators fees to fund regulatory oversight and enforcement.

Referred to Energy Resources
#environment--water(i0320) #fees&othernontaxrevenue--state(i0362) #injectionwells(s0692) #oil&gas(i0545) #railroadcommission(v0089) #water--general(i0885)
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Bill Summary · HB 3091

Legislative bill overview

HB 3091 grants the Texas Railroad Commission expanded regulatory authority over injection wells used for oil and gas waste disposal and establishes a fee structure to fund this regulatory oversight. The bill authorizes the commission to implement fees on operators using these disposal wells to support monitoring and enforcement activities.

Why is this important

Injection wells are critical infrastructure for the oil and gas industry, allowing safe disposal of waste byproducts underground. However, they require robust regulation to prevent contamination of freshwater aquifers and protect public health and safety. This bill ensures the regulatory agency has dedicated funding to properly inspect and manage these facilities rather than relying on general appropriations.

Potential points of contention

  • Industry cost concerns: Oil and gas operators may object to new fee structures, arguing they increase production costs and could affect competitiveness or employment in Texas
  • Fee level uncertainty: The bill authorizes fees but doesn't specify amounts, creating potential for significant regulatory costs that could trigger future disputes
  • Regulatory scope: Questions about how broadly "injection wells for oil and gas waste" is defined and whether the commission has appropriate technical expertise to enforce expanded regulations

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

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