This section creates the TexNet Technical Advisory Committee and requires it to carry out program oversight, budgeting, reporting, and monthly data transmission duties.
Sec. 67.72. TEXNET TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) In this section, "program" means the TexNet seismic monitoring program administered by the bureau. (b) The TexNet Technical Advisory Committee is established as an advisory committee within the bureau. (c) The advisory committee consists of nine members appointed by the governor who work or reside in this state, including: (1) one representative of the Railroad Commission of Texas who specializes in seismology, geomechanical engineering, reservoir engineering, or another related field recommended to the governor by the executive director of the Railroad Commission of Texas; and (2) at least three representatives from the oil and gas industry, not to include the representative appointed under Subdivision (1). (d) The governor shall designate a member of the advisory committee as the chair of the advisory committee to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor. (e) A person affiliated with the bureau or under contract for services with the bureau may not serve as a voting member of the advisory committee. (f) The director of the bureau shall serve, ex officio, as a nonvoting member of the advisory committee. (g) The advisory committee shall: (1) in coordination with the bureau, develop recommendations for a program of work to assist the program and any research efforts affiliated with the program in accomplishing the goals of the program, including recommendations regarding: (A) the acquisition and deployment of equipment; (B) contracting with vendors; (C) determining the scope of research programs associated with the program; and (D) determining the scope of any use of funds appropriated by the legislature for the program or associated research; (2) review and approve or reject expenditures made in connection with the program; (3) prepare and approve an annual budget for the use of any funds appropriated for the program by the legislature; (4) provide oversight and input on the acquisition, deployment, and operation of new and existing program equipment; (5) ensure that there is a monthly transmission of the data collected by seismic equipment operated under the program to the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology database; and (6) meet with the bureau quarterly to discuss the progress of the program, expenditures made in connection with the program, and any other information related to the program that the advisory committee finds necessary. (h) Not later than December 31 of each even-numbered year, the advisory committee and the bureau jointly shall prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives a report that includes: (1) a review of the use of any funds appropriated for the program by the legislature; (2) a complete listing and accounting of all research funded through the program, including: (A) a list of contractors employed under the program; (B) an itemized budget for each program element; and (C) a list of the geographic coverage of the program; and (3) recommendations related to the ongoing operations and requirements of the program. Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 448 (H.B. 632), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.