Will there be another HB 3105?

You may recall a prior post about this - HB 3105 - big gas interests' way to crush cities The question now is, are they going to try again? Well, you can be pretty sure legislation similar to this will be introduced again. Several cities in the North Texas region, including Corinth, had updated and improved their ordinances regulating drilling in those cities. Corinth's regulations included emissions, noise, and road usage controls. While you can never really make a gas well (or oil well for that matter) a great neighbor, the impact can be lessened.

So, the oil and gas industry lobby will try to quash these rules. Why? Because almost any regulation imposed on a business causes costs to go up. Therefore, any regulated business is going to lobby legislators to reduce or remove the regulation. While some people are aghast at this process, it is a valid process. 

We the residents whose homes and lives are affected are an interest group also. We are, after all, the voters. So while the oil and gas industry will be lobbying to curtail the power of local governments to regulate well sites and their placement in a city, WE should also be lobbying to keep our local governments empowered. Keep in mind it does not stop with your particular state representative or state senator - there are 150 representatives and 34 senators. 

The large size of the house, and to a lesser extent, the senate, is a major reason to allow city governing councils the greatest latitude in planning for and protecting their cities. Consider this: if a local group of people desire to change how government is working at home, it is far easier to communicate with your council at home, than legislators far away at the capitol. One size does NOT fit all!

It will be important during this next legislative session to watch out for another bill like this one. The Texas Municipal League watches for bills that erode City's and Town's authority. You can help too! When something like this comes up, contact your state representative or senator, and let them know what you want. You are a voter!

Railroad Commission not going anywhere

You might recall an earlier post I made, about the Texas Legislature on track to abolish the Railroad Commission.... Unfortunately, SB 655 never made it to the Governor's desk. The Senate had passed the bill, and it was reported to the House. They made amendments to it and passed it with the amendments which the Senate did not agree to. So a conference committee was appointed. And that is just as far as they got. The session ended before anything was conferred on.

Brace yourself, the legislature wants to take more rights away, control you more

Yes, that is right - Austin is at it again. The usual business whenever the legislature is in session - hold on to your wallets and watch out for your rights. HB 2443 wants to make it illegal for you to pull over and stop on the side of the road to get a picture of the bluebonnets.