89R3576 JAM-F     By: Turner H.B. No. 1230       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the requirement of a public hearing on certain   applications for a permit to drill an oil or gas well.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 91, Natural Resources   Code, is amended by adding Section 91.118 to read as follows:          Sec. 91.118.  PUBLIC HEARING ON CERTAIN DRILLING PERMIT   APPLICATIONS. (a) In this section:                (1)  "Child-care facility" has the meaning assigned by   Section 42.002, Human Resources Code.                (2)  "Private school" means a private school, including   a parochial school, that:                      (A)  offers a course of instruction for students   in one or more grades from kindergarten through grade 12; and                      (B)  has more than 100 students enrolled and   attending courses at a single location.          (b)  The commission by rule shall require an applicant for a   permit to drill a new oil or gas well to indicate on the application   whether the proposed well site is located within 1,500 feet of the   property line of a child-care facility, private school, primary or   secondary public school, or facility that is owned by a school   district and used by students enrolled in that district.          (c)  The commission may not grant an application for a permit   to drill a new oil or gas well if the proposed well site is located   within 1,500 feet of the property line of a child-care facility,   private school, primary or secondary public school, or facility   that is owned by a school district and used by students enrolled in   that district unless:                (1)  the commission holds a public hearing in the   county in which the proposed well site is located to receive public   comments on whether granting the permit application is in the   public interest; and                (2)  the commission considers the comments received   when determining whether to grant the application.          (d)  This section does not affect the authority of a   political subdivision to enact, amend, or enforce an ordinance or   other measure related to the drilling of new oil or gas wells.          SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only   to a permit application submitted to the Railroad Commission of   Texas on or after the effective date of the rules adopted under   Section 91.118, Natural Resources Code, as added by this Act. A   permit application submitted before the effective date of the rules   adopted under Section 91.118, Natural Resources Code, as added by   this Act, is governed by the law in effect when the permit   application was submitted, and the former law is continued in   effect for that purpose.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.