Bill > SB1733

This bill updates and reorganizes Arizona's laws related to oil and gas conservation, making several key changes. The bill renames the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, modifies its structure and funding, and updates various provisions related to well drilling, permitting, and regulatory oversight. Specifically, the bill establishes a new Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Fund, allows the commission more flexibility in setting fees for drilling permits and hearings, and provides additional enforcement mechanisms for violations. The commission will now have the ability to directly assess civil penalties and restrain violations, and it will be able to accept federal monies and private grants. The bill also adds an exemption for helium exploration and production wells from certain water protection permit requirements, and transfers all existing equipment, records, and personnel from the Department of Environmental Quality to the new commission. The legislative intent is to align the state's oil and gas regulations with practices in similar states, and to create a more streamlined and effective regulatory framework for resource extraction activities.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/83182