Monitoring the Session

HB 3619

bill making the Railroad Commission restore land after plugging wells

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Jay DeanRHouse 7

Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the rights and liabilities of the owner of the surface estate of the tract of land on which a well to be plugged or replugged by the Railroad Commission of Texas is located.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

State plugs the abandoned well, then puts the surface back.

The bill makes the Railroad Commission restore the surface of land to its prior condition after the state plugs or replugs an abandoned well there. It also bars anyone entering the land to plug a well from blocking the surface owner's access, except when needed to protect public health, and it shields the surface owner from liability for damage caused by the plugging crews. Landowners with orphaned wells on their property get their land put back and gain legal protection, and the commission takes on new restoration work for wells plugged on or after September 1, 2025.

Labels

Labels: BUZZER BEATER. Final vote May 30, 2025: the House concurred in the Senate amendments. 3 days before the session ended Jun 2, 2025.CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author Jay Dean (R) in the House. Lead sponsor Judith Zaffirini (D) in the Senate. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB3619 · 2025-03-03

SOLD BY

Rep. Jay DeanRHouse 7

ITEM

relating to the rights and liabilities of the owner of the surface estate of the tract of land on which a well to be plugged or replugged by the Railroad Commission of Texas is located.

WHAT IT DOES

State plugs the abandoned well, then puts the surface back.

The bill makes the Railroad Commission restore the surface of land to its prior condition after the state plugs or replugs an abandoned well there. It also bars anyone entering the land to plug a well from blocking the surface owner's access, except when needed to protect public health, and it shields the surface owner from liability for damage caused by the plugging crews. Landowners with orphaned wells on their property get their land put back and gain legal protection, and the commission takes on new restoration work for wells plugged on or after September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 29, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to Energy Resources
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  7. Left pending in committee
  8. Considered in formal meeting
  9. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  10. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  11. Committee report distributed
  12. Committee report sent to Calendars
  13. Considered in Calendars
  14. Placed on General State Calendar
  15. Read 2nd time
  16. Passed to engrossment
  17. Record vote RV#2092
  18. Read 3rd time
  19. Passed
  20. Record vote RV#2136
  21. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  22. Reported engrossed
  23. Received from the House
  24. Read first time
  25. Referred to Natural Resources
  26. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  27. Considered in public hearing
  28. Testimony taken in committee
  29. Left pending in committee
  30. Considered in public hearing
  31. Vote taken in committee
  32. Reported favorably as substituted
  33. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  34. Committee report printed and distributed
  35. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  36. Laid before the Senate
  37. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  38. Vote recorded in Journal
  39. Three day rule suspended
  40. Record vote
  41. Read 3rd time
  42. Passed
  43. Record vote
  44. Senate passage as amended reported
  45. Senate Amendments distributed
  46. Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
  47. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)
  48. Record vote RV#4064
  49. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  50. Text of Senate Amendment(s)
  51. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
  52. Reported enrolled
  53. Signed in the House
  54. Signed in the Senate
  55. Sent to the Governor
  56. Signed by the Governor
  57. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 144 yea · 0 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 12, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 28, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Jay Dean

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$74KTexas Conservative Majority PAC$47KTexas Sands PAC$42K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$74,300.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$74,300.00

Cash
$65,000.00
Paid by others
$9,300.00
Total
$74,300.00
polling $9,300.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 19, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101007728, 101025857, 101035931, 101070129.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$46,524.22

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$46,524.22

Cash
$566.02
Paid by others
$45,958.20
Total
$46,524.22
canvassing $42,750.00printing $3,208.20

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 17, 2026 to Feb 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101036566.

Texas Sands PAC$42,166.67

Texas Sands PAC

$42,166.67

Cash
$37,500.00
Paid by others
$4,666.67
Total
$42,166.67
polling $4,666.67

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989410, 101025857, 101036566, 101070129.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$74,300.00

Cash
$65,000.00
Paid by others
$9,300.00
Total
$74,300.00
polling $9,300.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 19, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101007728, 101025857, 101035931, 101070129.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$46,524.22

Cash
$566.02
Paid by others
$45,958.20
Total
$46,524.22
canvassing $42,750.00printing $3,208.20

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 17, 2026 to Feb 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101036566.

×

Texas Sands PAC

$42,166.67

Cash
$37,500.00
Paid by others
$4,666.67
Total
$42,166.67
polling $4,666.67

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989410, 101025857, 101036566, 101070129.

Votes6

House May 30, 2025

Yea
108
Nay
27
Present, not voting
2
Absent
7
Excused
6
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 4064

Representative Darby moved to concur in the senate amendments to HB 3619. The motion to concur in the senate amendments to HB 3619 prevailed by (Record 4064): 108 Yeas, 27 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 108 (published)
  • Nay: 27 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 7 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Final passage

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records final passage. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

CSHB 3619 (Zaffirini) Relating to the rights and liabilities of the owner of the surface estate of the tract of land on which a well to be plugged or replugged by the Railroad Commission of Texas is located. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Suspension of the three-day rule

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records suspension of the three-day rule. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

CSHB 3619 (Zaffirini) Relating to the rights and liabilities of the owner of the surface estate of the tract of land on which a well to be plugged or replugged by the Railroad Commission of Texas is located. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Passage to third reading

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records passage to third reading. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

CSHB 3619 (Zaffirini) Relating to the rights and liabilities of the owner of the surface estate of the tract of land on which a well to be plugged or replugged by the Railroad Commission of Texas is located. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: Not printed
  • Nay: Not printed
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 12, 2025

Yea
144
Nay
0
Present, not voting
1
Absent
2
Excused
3
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2136

HB 3619 was passed by (Record 2136): 144 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 144 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 10, 2025

Yea
130
Nay
0
Present, not voting
1
Absent
0
Excused
19
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2092

HB 3619 was passed to engrossment by (Record 2092): 130 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 130 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 19 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses24
For
21
Against
0
On
3
Names

For

  • Commission Shift Action2 registrations
  • Legislative and Conservation Director1 registration
  • Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club1 registration
  • Mark Clayton Dierlam/McFaddin Ranch LP1 registration
  • Milestone1 registration
  • Milestone Environmental Services1 registration
  • National Association of Royalty Owners - Texas1 registration
  • Self3 registrations
  • Self; EPEC Energy1 registration
  • Self; Milestone Environmental Services1 registration
  • Self; South Texans’ Property Rights Association2 registrations
  • Self; Sunrise ATX1 registration
  • Society of Native Nations1 registration
  • Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association2 registrations
  • Texas Farm Bureau2 registrations

On

  • Railroad Commission1 registration
  • Railroad Commission of Texas2 registrations
Sources

24 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 29, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Mar 3, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors
Judith ZaffiriniDSenate 21

House committee · Energy Resources · Committee vote 9 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Natural Resources · Committee vote 9 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Subjects

Civil Remedies & Liabilities

Environment--Water

Oil & Gas

RAILROAD COMMISSION

Text

The text as introduced · 349 words

89R9800 JAM-D

By: Dean
H.B. No. 3619

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the rights and liabilities of the owner of the surface

estate of the tract of land on which a well to be plugged or

replugged by the Railroad Commission of Texas is located.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 89.043, Natural Resources Code, is

amended by adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:

(g) If the commission plugs or replugs a well under this

section, the commission shall restore the surface of the tract of

land on which the well is located to the condition in which it

existed before the plugging or replugging operations began.

SECTION 2. Section 89.044, Natural Resources Code, is

amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(c) Except as necessary to prevent injury to the public

health, a person authorized to enter land under this section may

not take an action that would prevent the owner of the surface

estate of the land from accessing the land.

SECTION 3. Section 89.045, Natural Resources Code, is

amended to read as follows:

Sec. 89.045. LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES. (a) The commission and

its employees and agents, the operator, and the nonoperator are not

liable for any damages that may occur as a result of acts done or

omitted to be done by them or each of them in a good-faith effort to

carry out this chapter.

(b) The owner of the surface estate of the tract of land on

which a well is located is not liable for any damages that may occur

as a result of acts done or omitted to be done in carrying out this

chapter by the commission, an employee or agent of the commission,

or any other person authorized under this chapter to enter the land.

SECTION 4. Section 89.043(g), Natural Resources Code, as

added by this Act, applies only to a well that is plugged or

replugged on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.