Video & Transcript Research : 'abandoned wells'
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TX
Transcript Highlights:
- But in trying to get the abandoned wells and inactive wells, you know, so I see the same parallel in
- wells and active wells.
- Well, there's no reapplication of electrical support structure to turn the well back on, but at the 10
- A lot of these wells, that field was discovered in the 20s and they continued to drill wells in the 50s
- well, and if they want to choose gas.
Keywords:
occupational licenses, renewal, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, registration, license expiration, HB 2663, inactive well, plugging extension, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, oil and gas, orphan wells, well cleanup, well plugging, abandoned wells, surface equipment removal, electric service termination, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, Section 89.029
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources heard several House bills dealing with environmental regulation, oil and gas safety, landfill permits, and utility cost recovery. HB 1237, by Rep. Geren and sponsored by Sen. Zaffirini, would extend TCEQ occupational license renewal deadlines from 30 days to 90 days, allow renewal up to one year with higher fees, and require a new application after longer expiration; the committee substitute clarified that applicants may continue working only until renewal is approved or denied and set a 180-day cutoff for renewal. HB 3071, sponsored by Sen. Hancock, would require TCEQ to cancel certain long-dormant municipal solid waste permits; members discussed concerns about precedent, ownership changes, and whether the bill should be narrowed, and the bill was left pending with a committee substitute expected.
The committee also heard HB 2663, sponsored by Sen. Birdwell, which would require operators of inactive oil and gas wells to remove or de-energize electrical equipment after 10 years and authorize Railroad Commission penalties for false compliance. Testimony from landowners, cattle raisers, and the Sierra Club supported the bill as a wildfire-prevention measure, and the bill was left pending. HB 4384, also by Rep. Darby and sponsored by Sen. Birdwell, would let natural gas utilities defer certain infrastructure costs for later recovery through the GRIP process; utility representatives supported it as credit-positive and consistent with existing accounting, while consumer advocates opposed it as increasing rates without enough oversight. The committee discussed possible amendments to add more cost controls, and the bill was left pending.
Later, the committee voted HB 2563, the companion to SB 2510, favorably to the full Senate by a 5-0 vote and ordered it certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up HB 143, which would codify interagency procedures for addressing electrical power line safety at well sites and related facilities after wildfire concerns; members said a committee substitute had been negotiated with agencies and stakeholders to clarify responsibilities, timelines, and inspection authority while reducing fiscal impact. No final vote was taken on HB 143, and the committee recessed with several bills still pending.
TX
Keywords:
occupational licenses, renewal, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, registration, license expiration, HB 2663, inactive well, plugging extension, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, oil and gas, orphan wells, well cleanup, well plugging, abandoned wells, surface equipment removal, electric service termination, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, Section 89.029
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- going to use that well.
- In trying to get the abandoned wells and inactive wells, I see the same parallel in what you're trying
- Well, de-electrified...
- to drill wells from that time.
- So, well, in that sense, yes, it allows.
Keywords:
occupational licenses, renewal, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, registration, license expiration, HB 2663, inactive well, plugging extension, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, oil and gas, orphan wells, well cleanup, well plugging, abandoned wells, surface equipment removal, electric service termination, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, Section 89.029
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Finance and Taxation Apr 16th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Finance and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, good morning, everybody, and welcome back to Finance and Tax.
- Well, we all know that on bond issues, a typical bond issue is for like 20 years, and so we need to make
- Well, now maybe we can open it up for questions from members. I'll do my best.
- So other than that, I appreciate Association of Counties being gracious on the June 1st date as well.
- Well, what did I have? We got line 5 and line 10. Yeah, I meant line 10. Excuse me.
Bills:
SB2397
Keywords:
oil and gas, tax exemption, development incentive wells, gross production tax, flaring, 908, all
Summary:
The Senate Finance and Tax Committee met and first took up House Bill 1382, the gas tax bill. Members explained an amendment to ensure that the proposed three-cent gas tax distribution would include all counties and townships in oil-producing counties, rather than excluding non-oil-producing counties as in the original draft. The committee adopted the amendment unanimously, but then held the bill for the time being because of related work on the Department of Transportation budget in the House.
The committee then turned to House Bill 1168, a large hoghouse amendment that combined the bill with the contents of House Bill 1176 and added technical corrections. The proposal would raise the primary residence property tax credit maximum from $1,250 to $1,650, keep the 75% cap with a $500 floor, and extend the credit to voter-approved levies while excluding special assessments. Other changes discussed included aligning the disabled veterans property tax credit with the $200,000 exemption level, adjusting budget and distribution dates so taxing districts are made whole sooner, exempting townships from a general-election vote requirement for levy increases, and modifying school funding formulas so schools are not shortchanged if mill levies are reduced under the cap.
Testimony from the Association of Counties and the State Supervisor of Assessments was generally supportive of the technical cleanup and implementation changes, but they raised concerns about the June 1 distribution date, application timing, and the practicality of some programming and administrative changes. Committee members also discussed the policy and messaging implications of the 75%/floor structure and the difficulty of applying the credit to certain voter-approved levies. No final action was taken on House Bill 1168; the committee agreed to continue working on amendments and recessed until later in the day.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee Feb 26th, 2025
Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure
Transcript Highlights:
- It applies if it's been abandoned. This is just for abandoned property.
- That may require not being allowed to abandon it because... ...being allowed to abandon it because there
- This is just strictly for abandoned properties where nobody is doing anything with it.
- It's simply if we have an abandoned road... ...simply, if we have an abandoned road like Highway 64 through
- Well, that old road is going through this farmer's field.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Environment Committee Meeting - 2026-04-09
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- as well. as well.
- This is home. well as my brother and myself. well as my brother and myself.
- through with the abandonment process. through with the abandonment process.
- <00:31:46.920>
Well <00:31:47.320>Well, you, Mr. Chair. Well Well, you, Mr. - <00:33:06.760>
Well, comment? Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. Well, comment? Uh thank you, Mr.
Keywords:
financial assurance, feedlot permits, manure storage, environmental compliance, agriculture regulation, abandoned infrastructure, pollution control, environmental impact, animal feedlot, livestock, regulations, Minnesota Rules
Summary:
The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 4740, authored by Rep. Hansen, which would require feedlots with at least 1,000 animal units to provide financial assurance for closure costs. Hansen argued the bill would shift cleanup responsibility from taxpayers to owners, citing abandoned feedlots, changing ownership structures, and the 2024 Pure Prairie Poultry bankruptcy as examples of why public funds should not be used for closures and cleanup. He also said the bill would apply to new or renewed permits and suggested a statutory definition of abandoned feedlot storage units may be needed.
Farm and livestock groups testified in opposition. Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Milk Producers Association, Minnesota Pork Producers Association, and Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation said existing MPCA and county permit rules already require closure planning and reporting, and that the bill would add unnecessary costs and barriers for family farms, beginning farmers, and expansion. They warned the financial assurance requirement could function like an animal-unit cap, encourage fragmentation or out-of-state relocation, and impose annual costs that would not improve environmental outcomes. Several testified that true abandonment is rare and that current permitting and closure processes already address it.
MPCA staff said the agency has concerns with the bill, noted there is currently no formal fiscal note, and said the agency would need to ensure any appropriations cover ongoing staffing needs. MPCA officials explained that permitted feedlots already must notify the agency before closure, follow a checklist of closure requirements, and undergo follow-up inspection; they said abandonment notifications are uncommon and they are not aware of any currently permitted facilities in abandonment process. Members questioned whether the bill was needed, what form financial assurance would take, how other states handle similar requirements, and whether the proposal would unfairly burden smaller or family operations. No vote on HF 4740 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Economic Development and Tourism Committee Feb 11th, 2026
Economic Development and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- Covington County is well represented by you, sir, and you and I had great conversations, and I appreciate
- this is the bill that I passed last year out of this committee, and we passed it out of House 4 as well
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- well.
- Well, we're here today.
- Well, that's not appropriate.
- They can drill a well and use our fresh water to produce that well in Texas.
- Out of a water well. Out of a water well. On gas wells, right?
Keywords:
HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Conservation Jan 29th, 2026 at 09:13 am
Senate Conservation
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, back then, that was tadpole.
- That's an important data point as well.
- In New Mexico, we have abandoned sites all across our state, and in every city in our state we have abandoned
- But that is a problem as well.
- And that was done for the war efforts as well. But I'm representative if you... ...efforts as well.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- well sites.
- These fees help prevent the state from bearing the full cost of orphaned wells.
- So what this does is it sets up a new structure. ...wells that produce very little.
- wells at less than 50 percent of the full fee, oil from stripper wells less than 25 percent of the full
- fee, gas from low-pressure wells 40 percent of the full fee, and gas from incapable wells 17.5 percent
Keywords:
fishing gear, Oyster Bayou, shrimping, regulation, marine resources, HB621, Act 658, renewable energy, recycling, decommissioning, wind energy, solar power, solar facilities, wind turbines, energy infrastructure, end-of-life disposal, universal waste, recyclable materials, waste reduction, Department of Environmental Quality
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- well sites.
- These fees help prevent the state from bearing the full cost of orphaned wells.
- So what this does is it sets up a new structure... ...wells that produce very little.
- wells at less than 50 percent of the full fee, oil from stripper wells at less than 25 percent of the
- full fee, gas from low-pressure wells at 40 percent of the full fee, and gas from incapable wells at
Keywords:
fishing gear, Oyster Bayou, shrimping, regulation, marine resources, HB621, Act 658, renewable energy, recycling, decommissioning, wind energy, solar power, solar facilities, wind turbines, energy infrastructure, end-of-life disposal, universal waste, recyclable materials, waste reduction, Department of Environmental Quality
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources met on May 14 and approved the April 29 minutes. The committee first heard HB 1056, which authorizes transfer of certain state property in Natchitoches Parish tied to a former school building now considered dilapidated and a nuisance; it was reported favorably. HB 841, described as a landman code of conduct bill and expropriation-related measure, was voluntarily deferred so the sponsor could work on additional changes over the interim.
The committee then took up HB 804, the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, which would bar future lawsuits seeking climate-change damages against fossil fuel companies and other entities. Supporters said it would prevent speculative climate litigation while preserving legitimate claims for permit violations and other existing statutory causes of action. Opponents from coastal litigation and the Sierra Club argued the bill was drafted too broadly and could affect legacy cases, property rights, and regulatory enforcement; the committee adopted Amendment 3875 to grandfather existing filed cases and make the bill effective upon gubernatorial signature, then reported the bill favorably as amended.
HB 621, requiring recycling of decommissioned renewable energy infrastructure and updating the state’s waste framework for modern energy components, was reported favorably. HB 637, which revises oil field site restoration fees and lowers rates for marginal, stripper, low-pressure, and incapable wells, was also reported favorably. Finally, SB 480, as amended, allowed boats to anchor in Oyster Bayou so long as they are not within an oyster lease and someone remains on board; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably before adjourning.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider S.154, to amend the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015, to reauthorize the Colorado River System conservation pilot program, S.362, to allow certain Federal minerals to be mined con Apr 9th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Keywords:
conservation, water management, Colorado River, environment, sustainability, mining, federal minerals, Bull Mountains, Montana, coal, land management, environmental impact, mining regulation, hardrock mining, land use, environmental protection, Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund, critical minerals, energy regulation, material designation
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee Feb 18th, 2026
Constitution, Campaigns and Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- I've written out [snorts and clears throat] and I've written out some tornadoes as well, and it's an
- 02:10.160>
as and I've written out some tornadoes as and I've written out some tornadoes as well - <00:02:12.319>
The <00:02:12.560>last well and it's an eerie feeling. - The last well and it's an eerie feeling.
- Because I'm trying to understand what you're saying. >> Well, this doesn't change anything if there's
Keywords:
abandoned roads, land ownership, government regulations, property rights, transportation, Ten Commandments, public education, displays, funding, Alabama law, municipal elections, runoff elections, majority voting, electoral procedures, local governance, campaign finance, record retention, political action committees, Fair Campaign Practices Act, 1136
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Indian, Rural and Cultural Affairs Feb 10th, 2026 at 10:06 am
Senate Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I support the appropriation to fund the assessment and cleanup of abandoned uranium mines.
- reproductive harm, kidney damage, asthma, groundwater contamination, and land contamination around the abandoned
- northwestern New Mexico, Conservation Voters New Mexico strongly supports efforts to clean up those sites, as well
Keywords:
rural libraries, education, cultural funding, library services, community resources, contaminated sites, environmental cleanup, uranium mining, state funding, abandoned sites, tribal affairs, Indian Child Welfare Act, appropriation, children, youth, compliance, field liaison, Indigenous rights, missing persons, law enforcement
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- And in essence, protecting the athlete as well as any state interest. That's exactly right.
- Well, I'm first. Ladies first. Thank you, good morning and welcome to the Capitol.
- Does this bill include professional as well? It already did.
- Okay, well, Coach, thanks for coming to the committee. We really appreciate your testimony.
- Well, we're going to...
Keywords:
athlete agent, registration, endorsement contracts, name image likeness, eligibility, unfair trade practices, student athletes, unclaimed property, abandoned property, escheat, state treasurer, administrator, claimant, purchase agreement, assignment, property recovery, owner verification, documentation requirements, fraud prevention, bankruptcy
Summary:
The Civil Law and Procedure Committee met on May 18, 2026, and first took up Senate Bill 389 by Senator Connick, which would update Louisiana’s athlete-agent law to address NIL representation for high school and college athletes. Testimony from the Attorney General’s office said the bill is needed because NIL agents are currently largely unregulated, especially as NIL activity has expanded into high school sports. Assistant Attorney General Olivia Nuss explained that the measure adopts a revised Uniform Athlete Agent Act framework, creating a state registry and oversight process for agents representing student-athletes in endorsement and NIL matters.
John Curtis, head of school and football coach at John Curtis Christian School, testified in support, saying agents are increasingly approaching young athletes and families without qualifications, charging high fees, and sometimes trying to steer athletes to schools. Committee members asked about how the system would work, who would administer it, and whether the Louisiana High School Athletic Association would have a role. Witnesses said the Department of Justice would house and enforce the program, while LHSAA would help disseminate information to schools, parents, and athletes. Members also raised questions about contracts involving minors and whether the bill should address agreements extending past the age of majority.
The committee adopted technical Amendment Set 5462, then reported SB 389 as amended without objection. Afterward, Senate Bill 525 was voluntarily deferred at the author’s request, and the committee adjourned.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, well, of course.
- Well, that depends on the administration.
- are keep that in mind as well when y'all are discussing.
- Well, that's good. We're glad to have you back with us. Well, it’s good to be back among friends.
- Well, thank you.
Keywords:
vaccination, parental consent, minors, medical consent, guardian approval, criminal procedure, split sentencing, probation, Class A felony, Class B felony, minimum confinement, out-of-state warrants, law enforcement, extradition, Alabama Code, arrest authority, interstate cooperation, tax exemption, seafood, retail sales
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity (7-29-24)
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGLd6CvGMIM, 2026-06-21T07:17:08+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 00:00:05 – Roll Call Attendance
00:01:20 – Approval of June Minutes
00:01:40 – Searching for Kentucky’s Juneteenth
00:22:25 – Discussion on Elementary Education: The Promise Academy at William Wells Brown, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, they've not They have to do that. Well, they've not done that.
- Well, I'm told when this bill was Well, I'm told when this bill was originally passed, we met in June
- Well, and other states have 40%.
- Well, then, Mr.
- Well, he's the last. I think we voted. Well, he's the last one, right?
Keywords:
law enforcement, immunity, civil liability, use of force, recruitment, bail reform, cash deposit, judicial discretion, criminal justice, Alabama law, youthful offender, capital murder, public safety, victims' rights, juvenile offenders, delinquent acts, juvenile court, nonfelony offenses, water safety offenses, illegal immigration
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- It will create about $2.5 million for ABC as well as to date.
- It will... ...for ABC as well as to date.
- If you well as Representative Springer.
- Well, please go right ahead. Isn't this pretty much the same thing as...
- Well, I mean, it is if cash is accepted.
Keywords:
hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Feb 12th, 2025
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Transcript Highlights:
- depends on the type of wood you're loading and the facility to which the wood is being hauled, as well
- and benefits reported for the AFA's association and industry not applicable to other industries as well
- We cut timber at Barber and Russell and across the river into Georgia as well.
- The code doesn't define the axle weights extremely well, so part of this bill is to clarify the axle
- The owner of the truck, as well as the driver, has to go, and the Troopers have to be off the road.
Keywords:
weight limits, trucking regulations, transportation, enforcement authority, portable scales, SB64, Alabama, state waters, public waters, aquatic plants, aquatic vegetation, lake management, waterway maintenance, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, commercial contractors, vegetation removal, mowing aquatic plants, uprooting plants