Texas SB1150: Relating to the plugging of and reporting on inactive wells subject to the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas; authorizing an administrative penalty.

What the bill says

An act relating to the plugging of and reporting on inactive wells subject to the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas; authorizing an administrative penalty.

From the enrolled text, May 26, 2025:

AN ACT relating to the plugging of and reporting on inactive wells subject to the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas; authorizing an administrative penalty. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 89.023, Natural Resources Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), and (j) to read as follows: (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a)[ADDED: and subject to ] [ADDED: Subsection (c)], an operator may not obtain an extension of the deadline for plugging an inactive well by complying with[ADDED: Subsection ] [ADDED: (a)][[DELETED: that subsection]] if[ADDED: :] [ADDED: (1) the well:] [ and] [ADDED: (B)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: was completed more than 25 years before the ] [ or] [ADDED: (2)]the plugging of the well is otherwise required by commission rules or orders. [ADDED: (c)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: The commission may grant an extension of the deadline ] [ADDED: for plugging an inactive well described by Subsection (b)(1) if:] [ADDED: (1)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: on request of the operator, the commission by ] [ADDED: order determines that:] [ADDED: (A)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: the operator's demonstrated history of ] [ADDED: returning inactive wells to operation warrants the granting of the ] [ or] [ADDED: (B)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: the operator's financial hardship in ] [ADDED: complying with Subsection (b)(1) warrants …

Sponsors

• Mayes Middleton (R) · primary sponsor
• Cesar Blanco (D, SD-029)
• Royce West (D, SD-023)
• Charlie Geren (R, HD-099)
• Drew Darby (R, HD-072)
• Armando Walle (D, HD-140)

Latest actions

1. June 20, 2025: See remarks for effective date
2. June 20, 2025: Signed by the Governor
3. May 28, 2025: Sent to the Governor
4. May 28, 2025: Signed in the House
5. May 27, 2025: Signed in the Senate
6. May 26, 2025: Reported enrolled
7. May 26, 2025: Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
8. May 26, 2025: Record vote
9. May 26, 2025: Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
10. May 26, 2025: Read

Votes

• Natural Resources Committee Vote (Out of committee): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Energy Resources Committee Vote (Out of committee): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate concurs in House amendment(s) (May 26, 2025): 30 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#4055 (May 23, 2025): 120 yea, 18 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#3351 (May 23, 2025): 128 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#3870 (May 22, 2025): 138 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB1150?

SB1150 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature Regular Session): Relating to the plugging of and reporting on inactive wells subject to the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas; authorizing an administrative penalty.

What does SB1150 do?

In its own words: An act relating to the plugging of and reporting on inactive wells subject to the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas; authorizing an administrative penalty.

What is the status of SB1150?

Signed into law as of June 20, 2025. Latest action: See remarks for effective date (June 20, 2025).

Who sponsored SB1150?

Mayes Middleton (R), with 5 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB1150?

On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB01150