HB1385
To Amend The Law Concerning The Oil And Gas Commission; And To Require The Oil And Gas Commission To Notify Members Of The General Assembly Concerning Certain Permits.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill, House Bill 1385, amends Arkansas law concerning the Oil and Gas Commission. It introduces a new section that mandates the Oil and Gas Commission to provide written notification to members of the General Assembly. This notification is specifically required for public hearings on permits related to Class II underground injection control disposal wells. The notification must include information on how to access the permit application and details about the public hearing, including its date, time, and location. Delivery of this notice can be done via email. The purpose is to inform legislative representatives about potential disposal well activities within their districts.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill are members of the Arkansas General Assembly who represent districts where Class II underground injection control disposal wells are proposed or currently operating. These legislators would receive direct notification regarding permit applications and public hearings, allowing them to be informed about potential environmental and economic impacts within their constituencies. Additionally, citizens and stakeholders within those districts may indirectly benefit from increased legislative awareness and potential oversight of such permits.
Who Might Suffer?
The Oil and Gas Commission would be directly impacted by the added administrative burden of identifying and notifying specific members of the General Assembly about each relevant permit. This would require the development and implementation of new notification procedures and potentially additional staff resources to manage the process. Companies seeking permits for Class II underground injection control disposal wells might also experience indirect impacts, such as potential delays or increased scrutiny if legislators become more actively involved due to the notification requirement.