HB 5958 Summary

• Establishes an Oil and Gas Commission within the Department of Environmental Quality, composed of the department director plus 15 gubernatorially-appointed members representing commerce, local government, health professionals, water resources experts, geologists, environmental organizations, and the general public.

• Grants the commission supervisory authority over permit issuance/denial/revocation, rule promulgation, and policy development for oil and gas operations, requiring commission approval before department officials can exercise these powers.

• Designates the commission as an appeal board to hear complaints from producers and owners regarding supervisor orders, determinations, or permit actions deemed burdensome, inequitable, or unwarranted.

• Expands commission authority to receive complaints about alleged violations of oil and gas regulations and may require investigatory/enforcement action or request the attorney general to commence court actions.

• Takes effect 90 days after enactment.