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ID H0378
Bill
Status
1/18/2012
Primary Sponsor
Resources and Conservation Committee
Click for details
AI Summary
HB 378 - Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Amendments
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Reorganizes and clarifies definitions in Idaho oil and gas law, including terms such as "waste," "condensate," "correlative rights," "pool," "field," and "market value."
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Allows the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to keep exploratory and wildcat well logs confidential for one year from filing, while permitting the commission to use well logs and directional surveys in enforcement actions.
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Authorizes the commission to assess civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation (with each day of violation counting as a separate violation) and to bring civil actions seeking damages including well control costs, spill response, cleanup, and land reclamation.
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Increases criminal penalties for knowing violations from the current standards to a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $5,000 and imprisonment up to 12 months; increases penalties for falsification of records to match these same penalties.
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Clarifies that minor violations may be addressed through warnings or administrative action at the commission's discretion, and establishes a one-year limitation period for commencing suits based on violations (except for actions under administrative procedures).
Legislative Description
Amends existing law relating to oil and gas to revise provisions relating to the confidentiality of certain exploratory and wildcat wells; to provide for the use of well logs and directional surveys in actions to enforce specified provisions; to provide for the assessment of civil penalties by the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission; to provide that the commission may bring civil actions for certain violations and threats to violate and to provide for damages; to provide that certain conduct shall constitute a misdemeanor and to provide for penalties; to provide for the discretion of the commission relating to minor violations; to remove provisions relating to actions against the commission and appeals; and to revise penalty provisions relating to the falsification of certain records.
OIL AND GAS
Last Action
to Res/Con
1/19/2012