HB 2255

relating to the rights of the owner of the surface of the land on
which certain inactive wells subject to the jurisdiction of the
Railroad Commission of Texas are located in connection with the
performance of certain tests on the well.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 89.026, Natural Resources Code, is
amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to
(b)  At [The operator must notify the office of the
commission oil and gas division district in which an inactive well
is located at] least three days before the date on which the
operator proposes to conduct [conducts] a fluid level or hydraulic
pressure test of an inactive [the] well, the operator must notify:
(1)  the office of the commission oil and gas division
district in which the well is located; and
(2)  the owner of the surface estate of the tract of
land on which the well is located.
(b-1)  An operator [and] may not conduct a [the] test under
this section without the approval of the office to which notice of
the proposed test is given under Subsection (b)(1).  The commission
may require that a test be witnessed by a commission employee.  A
surface estate owner to whom notice of a proposed test is given
under Subsection (b)(2) is entitled to witness the test.
SECTION 2.  Section 89.026, Natural Resources Code, as
amended by this Act, applies only to a fluid level or hydraulic
pressure test conducted on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.