SB260 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg J. Reed

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Oil and Gas Study Committee, permanent study commission, membership, duties, reporting requirements provided

Summary

SB260 would make the Alabama Oil and Gas Study Committee a permanent state commission to study the oil and gas industry and related laws.

What This Bill Does

It creates the Alabama Oil and Gas Study Commission to continuously evaluate the oil and gas industry, laws, exploration and production, regulations, and related fiscal issues, and to report findings to the Governor and Legislature each year. The commission includes lawmakers from both chambers, plus industry-affiliated appointees and residents from oil and gas producing counties, with ex officio nonvoting members from the State Oil and Gas Board and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; appointments must reflect the state's diversity. It can hold meetings, request information, require witnesses, issue subpoenas, and must deliver an annual report with findings and recommendations by the 10th legislative day of the regular session; members may be reimbursed for expenses but are not paid a salary. The act would take effect immediately after passage.

Who It Affects

• Oil and gas industry stakeholders and residents in oil and gas producing counties, who gain representation on the commission and could be affected by its studies and recommendations that influence laws and regulations.
• State government and taxpayers, including the Legislature, state agencies (such as the State Oil and Gas Board and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources), who will rely on the commission's annual reports and may implement its recommendations.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Oil and Gas Study Commission as a permanent body to continuously evaluate the oil and gas industry, laws, exploration and production, regulations, fiscal impact, and related facets.
• Membership includes three Senate members, one Senate member from Southeast Oil and Gas Association nominees, one Senate member from an oil/gas producing county, three House members, one House member from Alabama Petroleum Council nominees, and one House member from an oil/gas producing county; appointing authorities must ensure diversity; ex officio nonvoting members are the State Oil and Gas Supervisor and the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
• The commission elects a chair and vice chair; vacancies are filled in the same manner as original appointments; meetings occur annually and as called; assistance is provided by the House, Senate, and Legislative Services Agency.
• Members serve without pay but may be reimbursed for expenses; legislative members receive per diem and travel reimbursement for meetings; other members are reimbursed per their appointing authority’s policies.
• The commission may call witnesses, and state agencies and officials must furnish information and documents upon request; the chair may issue subpoenas.
• The commission must issue an annual report with its findings and any legislative recommendations to the Governor and Legislature by the 10th legislative day of the regular session.
• The act becomes effective immediately after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Oil and Gas