H.B. No. 4426 AN ACT relating to permits issued by the Railroad Commission of Texas for commercial surface disposal facilities. 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. TERM AND RENEWAL OF COMMERCIAL SURFACE DISPOSAL FACILITY PERMIT. (a) In this section, "commercial surface disposal facility" has the meaning assigned by Section 91.116. (b) Unless otherwise provided by law, a permit for a commercial surface disposal facility: (1) is valid for a term of not more than 10 years; and (2) carries with it the right to apply for successive renewal on expiration for areas within the boundaries of the existing permit. (c) In determining the proper term of a new permit for a commercial surface disposal facility, the commission may consider the applicant's history of compliance with commission rules and permits issued by the commission for similar waste management facilities based on previous inspections, quarterly reports, and other relevant evidence documented by the commission. (d) In determining the proper term of an amended or renewal permit for a commercial surface disposal facility, the commission may consider the applicant's history of compliance with commission rules and permits issued by the commission for the subject facility or similar waste management facilities based on previous inspections, quarterly reports, and other relevant evidence documented by the commission. (e) An application for renewal of a permit must be made not later than the 120th day before the date the existing permit expires. SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to the issuance, amendment, or renewal of a permit by the Railroad Commission of Texas on or after the effective date of this Act. The issuance, amendment, or renewal of a permit by the commission before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date of issuance, amendment, or renewal, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 4426 was passed by the House on May 8, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0, 1 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 4426 was passed by the Senate on May 23, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor