H.B. No. 3158 amends the Natural Resources Code to establish new application fees for permits related to the disposal of oil and gas waste. The bill introduces definitions for various types of facilities, including "commercial oil and gas waste separation facility," "commercial surface oil and gas waste disposal facility," "land application permit," "landfarm permit," and "landtreatment permit." It specifies that applicants for a fluid injection well permit must pay a nonrefundable fee of $200. Additionally, it sets forth a tiered fee structure for other permits: $500 for landfarm, landtreatment, or land application permits; $2,000 for commercial oil and gas waste separation facility permits; $1,000 for amendments to such permits; $3,000 for commercial surface oil and gas waste disposal facility permits; and $1,000 for amendments to those permits.

The bill also clarifies that the new fee structure applies only to applications filed with the Railroad Commission of Texas on or after the effective date of the Act, which is September 1, 2025. Applications submitted before this date will be governed by the previous law. The changes aim to streamline the permitting process and ensure that the fees reflect the nature of the services provided by the facilities involved in oil and gas waste management.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Natural Resources Code 91.1013 (Natural Resources Code 91)
House Committee Report: Natural Resources Code 91.1013 (Natural Resources Code 91)