PPROA Pipeline ~ July 2015
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EVP NOTES
PPROA - A Big Bang for Your Buck!
I have known about PPROA since I was in high school (don’t ask!). I have been a corporate
member of PPROA for the last 10 years and consistently attended the annual meeting. I often
wondered what does PPROA really do for its members?
So! What does PPROA do for its members? What would I want from someone who was
hired to ensure the “best possible solution” was reached with our governing agencies? Are
they from my area? Do they understand our industry? When needed, will they be strong
enough to stand their ground against the odds and not be afraid to speak their mind?
EVP
Judy Stark
I would want someone whom I could have a relationship and felt like I could trust. Having started in a legislative
year, I was quickly educated about the importance of having a local representative to guard your interest whether you
are a producer, operator, royalty owner, and service or support company. I can assure you I not only witnessed but
participated in the drafting, reviewing and revising of bills that were introduced to our legislators. I will personally
vouch that association representation is truly “in the trenches” focusing on the cause and effect of legislation,
regulation, public and industry affairs in order to be responsive to demands made on our industry by state and local
governments. Nothing could have made that more clear than the passing of HB 40 or the “frac ban” bill which made
Texas law clear and fair to both parties when it came to the right to extract minerals with reasonable setbacks.
What happens if we didn’t have local representation?
Almost without being said, you are turning over and putting at greater risk any outcome that is personal to your
immediate area. No legislator, lobbyist or representative that is over 100 miles of your “home” can truly portray the
emotion or the instinctive protection of boundaries like a local representative. It is important to have people who
know your people and stand ready to answer to you. It’s a “buy local” philosophy.
The Texas Legislature meets every two years. What do you do in an off year?
I wish I could say there is “an off year” but there really isn’t. The “off year” is the current meeting of the legislative
branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of
Representatives and is scheduled to meet in Washington, D.C. from January 3, 2015 to January 3, 2017 and while
PPROA is not as active in the US Congress there are times where it may be necessary to attend; however, it is always
necessary to stay informed for the sake of our members and industry.
In closing, what value does membership hold and how can it be better?