S.B. No. 1762         AN ACT   relating to the authority of the Railroad Commission of Texas to   designate certain persons as the operator of an orphaned oil or gas   well.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 89.047(a)(1-a), Natural Resources Code,   is amended to read as follows:                (1-a)  "Geothermal energy [Energy] conservation well"   means a well used for the retention of energy that may be used to   provide dispatchable generation of electricity for the power grid.     A geothermal energy conservation well is not a battery energy   storage resource.          SECTION 2.  Section 89.047(f), Natural Resources Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (f)  The commission shall designate the person as the   operator of the well if the person files with the commission:                (1)  a factually supported claim based on a recognized   legal theory to a continuing possessory right in:                      (A)  the mineral estate accessed by the well, as   established by a current oil and gas lease, a recorded deed   conveying a fee interest in the mineral estate, or any other   documentation of an interest in the mineral estate;                      (B)  the geothermal energy and associated   resources estate accessed by the well, as established by a current   geothermal lease, a recorded deed conveying a fee interest in the   geothermal estate, or any other documentation of an interest in the   geothermal estate; or                      (C)  the geologic space accessed by the well for   the purpose of a geothermal [an] energy conservation well, as   established by a recorded deed conveying a fee interest in the space   accessed by the well or any other documentation of an interest in   that space;                (2)  a completed certificate of compliance; and                (3)  a nonrefundable fee in the amount of $250.          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.             ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1762 passed the Senate on   April 16, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1762 passed the House on   May 21, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 140, Nays 0, two   present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor