Oil and Gas Lawyer Blog
The three current Texas Railroad Commissioners and the new incoming Commissioner David Porter all testified before the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission earlier this month, defending the RRC against criticism in the Sunset Commission staff report. The three commissioners are elected by Texas voters, and a position on the commission is often viewed as a steping-stone to higher office. Two current commission members, Michael Williams and Elizabeth Ames Jones, both considered running for U.S. Senate when Kay Bailey Hutchinson indicated she would step down to run for Texas Governor. State Senator John Whitmire, a member of the Sunset Commission, said that their running for U.S. Senate conflicted with their duties to the Railroad Commission. “You’re running for office, but while you’re doing that and regulating and making decisions, you’re running and actually raising money from the folks that you are regulating.” The criticism mirrors the Sunset staff report, which recommends changing the law to have the RRC run by a five-member appointed board. (For my summary of the Sunset staff report recommendations, go here.) Commissioners Victor Carrillo and Michael Williams said they would support a single elected RRC to replace the three-member commission but would oppose a five-member appointed board. Commissioner Jones said she supported the current three-commissioner governance structure.
The Sunset Advisory Commission is composed of ten members: four members of the Texas House of Representatives, four Texas senators, and two private citizens:
Senate Members:
- Glenn Hegar, Jr., Chair
- Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa
- Joan Huffman
- Robert Nichols
- John Whitmire
- Charles McMahen, Public Member
House Members:
- Dennis Bonnen, Vice Chair
- Rafael Anchia
- Byron Cook
- Linda Harper-Brown
- Larry Taylor
- Lamont Jefferson, Public Member
The Sunset Commission will vote on recommendations for legislation to continue and reform the Railroad Commission at its next meeting on Wednesday, January 12.