H.B. No. 3911 amends the Natural Resources Code to address the plugging or replugging of inactive wells under the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas. The bill modifies Section 89.045 to clarify that the commission, its employees, agents, operators, nonoperators, and any private individuals who have paid for the plugging or replugging of a well are not liable for damages resulting from their good-faith efforts to comply with the law. Additionally, a new Section 89.049 is introduced, which outlines the responsibilities and protections for operators in good standing and surface owners who contract with approved well pluggers to manage orphaned wells.

Under the new provisions, operators and surface owners are not held liable for the physical operation and control of orphaned wells, nor for any damages that may arise during the plugging or replugging process. The bill also establishes requirements for notifying relevant parties prior to the work and stipulates that evidence of payment or contracts for plugging does not imply an obligation to perform the work. The Railroad Commission is tasked with adopting rules to implement these changes, which will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Natural Resources Code 89.045 (Natural Resources Code 89)
House Committee Report: Natural Resources Code 89.045 (Natural Resources Code 89)