by Julie Anderson The chairmanships and memberships of Texas legislative committees make newspaper headlines during the session because of these two sentences: The bill died in committee. The bill was reported out of committee. Those trying to prevent the passage of proposed legislation hope for No. 1. Those advocating for a bill root for […]
2023 Legislative Sessions
The Texas Legislature meets in a regular session every two years, convening on the second Tuesday in January of every odd-numbered year in Austin. These biennial sessions are limited to 140 days. The governor has the authority to call special sessions as necessary, which cannot exceed 30 days. The 88th Texas Legislature is set to […]
Setting Boundaries
In September of this year, the Texas Supreme Court denied a request to rehear arguments in a case it issued an opinion on in April 2021. The case, styled Concho Resources, Inc. et al. v. Ellison d/b/a Ellison Lease Operating, was a trespass-to-try-title suit between the lessees of adjacent tracts. The dispute arose when Ellison […]
87th Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
While COVID-19 cast a shadow over the opening of the 87th Texas Legislature, the dramatics of the closing days thrust Texas into the national spotlight with Gov. Greg Abbott vowing to veto the section of the state budget that funds the legislative branch after the voting restrictions bill failed to pass. Senate Bill 7, a […]
87th Texas Legislature: Capitol Update
During the 2021 Texas Legislative Session, representatives and senators are required by law to pass a balanced budget and address redistricting, the decennial redrawing of maps for the state’s congressional, legislative, and State Board of Education boundaries. The pandemic delayed the release of the updated U.S. Census, meaning redistricting will most likely be handled in […]
New Mexico Legislature Adjourns, Texas Lawmakers Pick up the Pace
New Mexico Legislature Adjourns, Texas Lawmakers Pick up the Pace The first session of New Mexico’s 55th Legislature has adjourned. “What a session it was!” shared Stephen M. Robertson, executive vice president of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association (PBPA). All committees and floor sessions were held virtually. Testifying in committee was made difficult with varying […]
Capitol Update: 87th Texas Legislature
Texas lawmakers convened in Austin Jan. 12, launching a historic session overshadowed by a pandemic and its cascading domino effect. “Getting down to business” took on a whole new meaning, with legislators and leaders examining everything from basic meeting guidelines to complex budgetary needs through a COVID-shaped lens. The Coronavirus topped the initial agenda with […]
Commission again delays proration vote, next meeting May 5
Railroad Commission of Texas again delayed taking action on proration of production for the state’s oil and gas industry at a meeting Tuesday. Ryan Sitton, reportedly the only commissioner who said he was ready to vote, proposed a state-mandated cut of 20 percent or about one million barrels in cooperation with other states and nations. […]
Service and Survival
Serving His Country On September 11, 2001, Brian Birdwell was on the Department of Army staff as the military aide to the deputy assistant chief of staff for installation management at the Pentagon. Birdwell and two of his coworkers, Cheryl and Sandy, were watching events unfold in New York City and knelt to pray for […]
Sharing Their Visions: Two Basin Thought Leaders
A PBPA Q&A with Christie Craddick, Texas Railroad Commissioner The Permian Basin Petroleum Association is pleased to serve up this feature for readers of Permian Basin Oil and Gas Magazine. This “PBPA Q&A” is an opportunity for readers to learn a little bit more about industry and regulatory leaders, energy pioneers and elected officials, about […]