HB 4202 Summary

• Creates an Oil and Gas Commission within the Department of Environmental Quality with 15 voting members including the department director, two representatives each from commerce/industry, local government, health professionals, water resources experts, geology/hydrology experts, environmental organizations, and three members representing the general public.

• Transfers supervisory authority over permit issuance, rule promulgation, and policy development from the supervisor of wells to the commission for both oil and gas operations (Part 615) and mineral well operations (Part 625).

• Establishes the commission as an appeal board for producers, owners, and operators to challenge orders, permits, and actions they consider burdensome or inequitable, with appeals heard at regular or special commission meetings.

• Grants the commission authority to receive complaints about alleged violations, require investigatory or enforcement action by supervisors, and request the attorney general to commence court actions.

• Takes effect 90 days after enactment into law.