Texas 89th Legislature
Railroad Commission
5 high-impact bills require immediate attention. 15 bills have bipartisan support.
High-Impact Bills
5 bills require immediate attention
Relating to the plugging of and reporting on inactive wells subject to the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas; authorizing an administrative penalty.
Relating to the authority of the Railroad Commission of Texas and the Public Utility Commission of Texas to address a failure by an operator to maintain an electrical power line serving a well site or certain surface facilities in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
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.
Relating to the applicability of certain safety provisions and regulatory fees administered by the Railroad Commission of Texas to gas distribution pipelines.
Relating to the inspection, purchase, sale, possession, storage, transportation, and disposal of petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, and oil and gas waste; creating criminal offenses and increasing the punishment for an existing criminal offense.
Railroad Commission Filing Activity
Compliance & Cost
Leading Authors
All Bills (20)
Relating to the creation of an organized oilfield theft prevention unit within the Department of Public Safety.
Relating to the creation of an organized oilfield theft prevention unit within the Department of Public Safety.
Relating to the authority of the Railroad Commission of Texas and the Public Utility Commission of Texas to address a failure by an operator to maintain an electrical power line serving a well site or certain surface facilities in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
Relating to the authority of the Railroad Commission of Texas and the Public Utility Commission of Texas to address a failure by an operator to maintain an electrical power line serving a well site or certain surface facilities in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
Relating to making supplemental appropriations and reductions in appropriations and giving direction and adjustment authority regarding appropriations.
Relating to making supplemental appropriations and reductions in appropriations and giving direction and adjustment authority regarding appropriations.
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.
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.
Relating to a severance tax exemption for oil and gas produced from certain previously inactive restimulation wells; providing a civil penalty.
Relating to a severance tax exemption for oil and gas produced from certain previously inactive restimulation wells; providing a civil penalty.
Relating to the availability of certain working papers and electronic communications of certain administrative law judges and technical examiners under the public information law.
Relating to the availability of certain working papers and electronic communications of certain administrative law judges and technical examiners under the public information law.
Relating to the rights and liabilities of the owner of the surface estate of the tract of land on which a well to be plugged or replugged by the Railroad Commission of Texas is located.
Relating to the rights and liabilities of the owner of the surface estate of the tract of land on which a well to be plugged or replugged by the Railroad Commission of Texas is located.
Relating to the applicability of certain safety provisions and regulatory fees administered by the Railroad Commission of Texas to gas distribution pipelines.
Relating to the applicability of certain safety provisions and regulatory fees administered by the Railroad Commission of Texas to gas distribution pipelines.
Relating to the recovery of certain costs associated with a gas utility's plant, facilities, or equipment placed in service.
Relating to the recovery of certain costs associated with a gas utility's plant, facilities, or equipment placed in service.
Relating to permits issued by the Railroad Commission of Texas for commercial surface disposal facilities.
Relating to permits issued by the Railroad Commission of Texas for commercial surface disposal facilities.
Relating to the resilience of the electric grid and certain municipalities.
Relating to the resilience of the electric grid and certain municipalities.
Relating to the establishment of a theft of petroleum products task force.
Relating to the establishment of a theft of petroleum products task force.
Relating to an exemption for drillers or operators of closed-loop geothermal injection wells from certain requirements applicable to persons involved in activities under the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas.
Relating to an exemption for drillers or operators of closed-loop geothermal injection wells from certain requirements applicable to persons involved in activities under the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas.
Relating to the authority of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to issue permits for the land application of water produced from certain mining and oil and gas extraction operations.
Relating to the authority of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to issue permits for the land application of water produced from certain mining and oil and gas extraction operations.
Relating to the plugging or replugging of certain inactive wells subject to the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas.
Relating to the plugging or replugging of certain inactive wells subject to the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas.
Relating to the plugging of and reporting on inactive wells subject to the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas; authorizing an administrative penalty.
Relating to the plugging of and reporting on inactive wells subject to the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas; authorizing an administrative penalty.
Relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of an advanced nuclear energy workforce development program.
Relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of an advanced nuclear energy workforce development program.
Relating to the declaration of an oil or gas emergency by the Railroad Commission of Texas and the liability of a person for assistance, advice, or resources provided in relation to an oil or gas emergency.
Relating to the declaration of an oil or gas emergency by the Railroad Commission of Texas and the liability of a person for assistance, advice, or resources provided in relation to an oil or gas emergency.
Relating to the authority of the Railroad Commission of Texas to designate certain persons as the operator of an orphaned oil or gas well.
Relating to the authority of the Railroad Commission of Texas to designate certain persons as the operator of an orphaned oil or gas well.
Relating to the inspection, purchase, sale, possession, storage, transportation, and disposal of petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, and oil and gas waste; creating criminal offenses and increasing the punishment for an existing criminal offense.
Relating to the inspection, purchase, sale, possession, storage, transportation, and disposal of petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, and oil and gas waste; creating criminal offenses and increasing the punishment for an existing criminal offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many Texas laws on railroad commission passed in 2025?
- The Texas 89th Legislature enacted 20 laws related to railroad commission. These bills were authored by 12 different legislators and address various aspects of railroad commission policy in Texas.
- Did railroad commission bills originate in the Texas House or Senate?
- Railroad Commission legislation from the 89th Legislature includes 10 House bills and 10 Senate bills. Both chambers contributed significant legislation on this topic.
- Which Texas legislators authored the most railroad commission bills?
- The leading authors of railroad commission legislation include Rep. Drew Darby (R) with 5 bills, Sen. Brian Birdwell (R) with 4 bills, Sen. Kevin Sparks (R) with 2 bills. These lawmakers have demonstrated particular focus on railroad commission issues during the 89th Legislature.
- How urgent are the compliance requirements for railroad commission legislation?
- Among the 20 railroad commission bills enacted, 5 have critical compliance urgency and 10 have moderate urgency. Businesses should prioritize reviewing high-urgency bills for immediate compliance planning.
- What subjects are related to railroad commission in Texas law?
- Railroad Commission legislation frequently overlaps with Oil & Gas, Environment, Environment--water. Bills often address multiple related policy areas, so reviewing these connected subjects may provide additional context.
- Is there bipartisan support for railroad commission legislation in Texas?
- Yes, 15 of the 20 railroad commission bills (75%) have bipartisan sponsorship, with both Republican and Democrat sponsors. This indicates areas of cross-party agreement on railroad commission policy.
- When do Texas railroad commission laws from the 89th Legislature take effect?
- Most Texas legislation takes effect September 1, 2025, unless otherwise specified. Some railroad commission bills may have immediate effective dates or delayed implementation schedules. Review individual bills for specific effective dates and compliance deadlines.
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