Texas Senate
Standing Committee
Oversees natural resources, economic development programs, wildfire management, renewable energy decommissioning, natural gas storage, and related state agencies.
Committee Leadership
Committee Composition
Committee Size
7 Members
Republicans
4
Democrats
3
Committee Partisan Split
4R – 3D
Committee Membership
Most Recent Session Activity
Metrics reflect activity during the most recent legislative session.
Legislation Referred
117
Legislation Voted Out
47
Overall Efficiency
40.17%
Committee Meetings
13
Interim Charges
- Protecting Texas from Wildfires: Study the state’s wildfire prevention and mitigation strategies. Evaluate the effectiveness of fuel management practices, including prescribed burns and mechanical thinning, to reduce fuel loading on public and private lands. Assess the vulnerability of utility infrastructure in high-risk areas and the adequacy of early warning systems. Make recommendations to enhance state and local coordination and improve the long-term resiliency of Texas communities against catastrophic wildfires.
- Ensuring Responsible Renewable Energy Decommissioning: Study the lifecycle and decommissioning of wind and solar facilities. Evaluate the adequacy of current financial assurance requirements to ensure site remediation and protect landowners from decommissioning costs. Examine the environmental impacts of disposal and recycling for wind turbine blades and solar modules, specifically addressing concerns regarding landfilling, hazardous material leaching, and component toxicity. Make recommendations to strengthen state oversight and ensure responsible land restoration and proper management of decommissioned materials.
- Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources passed by the 89th Legislature. Specifically, make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation of the following:
- Senate Bill 494 (89th Legislature), relating to the establishment of a theft of petroleum products task force;
- Senate Bill 1145 (89th Legislature), relating to the authority of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to issue permits for the land application of water produced from certain mining and oil and gas extraction operations;
- Senate Bill 1806 (89th Legislature), relating to the inspection, purchase, sale, possession, storage, transportation, and disposal of petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, and oil and gas waste; creating criminal offenses and increasing the punishment for an existing criminal offense;
- House Bill 48 (89th Legislature), relating to the creation of an organized oilfield theft prevention unit within the Department of Public Safety; and
- House Bill 49 (89th Legislature), relating to the treatment and beneficial use of fluid oil and gas waste and related material, including a limitation on liability for that treatment or use.
Committee Jurisdiction
The Texas Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development oversees a variety of issues related to the state’s natural resources and economic growth. Key areas of jurisdiction include:
- Economic Development Programs: Reviews programs under Chapters 380 and 381 of the Local Government Code to assess benefits in generating economic development, with recommendations for improving transparency, accountability, and effectiveness.
- Hotel Occupancy Taxes: Studies the collection and use of hotel occupancy taxes, evaluates the effectiveness of rebates and incentives, and explores the feasibility of creating a standard legislative template for related bills.
- Natural Gas Storage and Infrastructure: Examines the economic benefits of expanding Texas’s underground natural gas storage capacity and infrastructure, and investigates additional opportunities for natural gas transportation.
- Wildfire Management and Prescribed Burns: Looks into methods to reduce the risk and impact of wildfires, monitors the role of the Prescribed Burning Board, and recommends practices for public and private landowners to mitigate fire risks.
- Monitoring Implementation of Legislation: Monitors the implementation of significant legislation passed by the Texas Legislature, including SB 13 (energy boycotting companies), HB 1247 (work-based learning), HB 1284 (carbon dioxide storage), HB 3973 (abandoned oil and gas wells), and HB 4110 (metal recycling registration).
Committee Contact Information
Capitol Location
Sam Houston Building, 325
Phone Number
(512) 463-0390
Support Our Work
Texas Policy Research relies on generous donors across Texas. If you found this helpful, please consider supporting our efforts.
Donate TodayStay in the Loop
Subscribe for occasional emails with new research, event details, and ways to engage with Texas policy.
Subscribe for Updates
