Texas State Rep. Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) expressed pride in two pieces of legislation he authored during the 88th legislative session becoming law after Gov. Greg Abbott signed them in San Antonio on Aug. 10. House Bill (HB) 33 and Senate (SB) Bill 1017 formed the Texas Energy Independence Act and Energy Choice Act, which seeks to benefit the Lone Star State’s energy sector.
“Thanks in part to these new laws, but mostly due to the Lord’s blessing and our world-famous work ethic, the Permian Basin will continue being a global leader in energy production,” Landgraf said in an Aug. 10 Facebook post.
According to Landgraf’s post, HB 33 prevents Texas state agencies and officials from contracting with or helping any federal agency or official regarding the enforcement of a federal statute, order, rule, or regulation regulating oil and gas operations if the regulation isn’t a current law while SB 1017 bars county and municipal governments from enacting any rule or ordinance that would limit access to gasoline, diesel, or any other fuel source. Landgraf hailed the measures as “Odessa born, and now, they’re Texas law.”
Abbott said in an Aug. 10 press release that “the hardworking men and women of the energy sector are the lifeblood of the booming Texas economy. We just finished another important legislative session for the Texas energy industry. We cut red tape so that needless local and county regulations don’t stifle economic growth, ensured local governments couldn’t ban the use of gasoline engines, secured our power grid for the Texas of tomorrow, and worked with community colleges to produce the skilled workforce to help this industry continue to thrive in Texas. Here in Texas, we embrace the energy industry. As long as I am Governor, I will fight for the energy sector to ensure Texas remains America’s energy leader.”
Odessa NBC affiliate KWES reports that the bills will go into effect on Sept. 1.