3
EVP NOTES
March 13th marked the end of the ability for House and Senate legislators to file bills. The primary
issues going forward are indeed in line with Governor Abbott’s State of the State address. We will
continue to follow and provide information on issues that will be critical to our industry, businesses,
and individuals. There are several proposed tax bills filed to lower ad valorem and franchise tax.
Filed bills will now go to committee for review and those filed will either proceed to the floor for
hearings or die. Most bills relating to our industry are already in committees and in the process of
approval or revision. We will continue to provide a list of issues in our newsletter and will be ready
to provide the association’s stance to the originating legislator and our elected representatives.
By the time you receive this newsletter, some very significant things have already happened:
United States Senate voted overwhelmingly against an amendment that would have paved the way
for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate hydraulic fracturing.
EVP
Judy Stark
Last Friday, March 21st, the U.S. Department of the Interior released its final rule regulating hydraulic fracturing
activities on federal lands. This federal mandate has long-been expected from the Obama Administration. Less than
one hour after the final rule was announced, IPAA and Western Energy Alliance filed a lawsuit in federal district
court in Wyoming, characterizing the federal government's rulemaking as unsubstantiated and duplicative of States'
efforts.
SB1165 passed unopposed through committee. HB40 (Identical) is now being revised for vote. Both bills are
preemption bills on regulation of oil and gas operations and the exclusive jurisdiction of those operations by the state.
We held a very successful open house and ribbon cutting on March 17th. Many members of the Amarillo Chamber of
Commerce along with board members, our current President, Greg Graham, past presidents and Living Legend, Tom
Cambridge were in attendance. We are honored to have had such a great turnout.
For the first time, PPROA is planning some summer fun. This will provide the opportunity for operators, producers,
vendors and friends to get together for some food, music, beverage and games. We will have prairie putting, cow
calling contest, horse shoe toss along with a best dressed cowgirl and cowboy! Yee Haw! It will be at the Piehl
Ranch in Bushland on June 13th.
Plan ahead – It will be too much fun!
Please remember how important we are to each other. PPROA will not exist without you and members would not
have important representation for their industry without us. We’ve got a good thing going. Don’t give up when
things get tough. We appreciate your renewed membership support! Need anything? Please call! We are always
available and stand ready to help in any way possible!