Verdict: No flags
No flags Initial review
Rep. Drew Darby R House 72
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 term of a permit issued by the Railroad Commission
of Texas for a commercial surface disposal facility.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary Oilfield waste sites get Railroad Commission permits for 10 years, max.
The bill caps the life of a Railroad Commission permit for a commercial surface disposal facility at no more than 10 years. It touches operators of these oilfield waste disposal sites and the Railroad Commission that permits them. New permits issued on or after September 1, 2025 will expire within 10 years, while older permits stay under the old rules.
Labels Labels: CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author Drew Darby (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-HB4426 · 2025-03-11
ITEM relating to the term of a permit issued by the Railroad Commission
of Texas for a commercial surface disposal facility.
WHAT IT DOES Oilfield waste sites get Railroad Commission permits for 10 years, max.
The bill caps the life of a Railroad Commission permit for a commercial surface disposal facility at no more than 10 years. It touches operators of these oilfield waste disposal sites and the Railroad Commission that permits them. New permits issued on or after September 1, 2025 will expire within 10 years, while older permits stay under the old rules.
TOTAL No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source
Sources
Fiscal note · version E · May 19, 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 Mar 11, 2025 Filed Apr 2, 2025 Read first time Apr 2, 2025 Referred to Energy Resources Apr 7, 2025 Scheduled for public hearing on . . . Apr 7, 2025 Considered in public hearing Apr 7, 2025 Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee Apr 7, 2025 Left pending in committee Apr 14, 2025 Considered in public hearing Apr 14, 2025 Committee substitute considered in committee Apr 14, 2025 Reported favorably as substituted Apr 14, 2025 Vote reconsidered in committee Apr 14, 2025 Left pending in committee Apr 17, 2025 Considered in formal meeting Apr 17, 2025 Committee substitute considered in committee Apr 17, 2025 Reported favorably as substituted Apr 24, 2025 Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator Apr 24, 2025 Committee report distributed Apr 25, 2025 Committee report sent to Calendars May 5, 2025 Considered in Calendars May 7, 2025 Placed on General State Calendar May 7, 2025 Read 2nd time May 7, 2025 Amended 1-Darby May 7, 2025 Passed to engrossment as amended May 7, 2025 Record vote RV#1720 May 7, 2025 Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal May 8, 2025 Read 3rd time May 8, 2025 Passed May 8, 2025 Record vote RV#1825 May 8, 2025 Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal May 8, 2025 Reported engrossed May 9, 2025 Received from the House May 12, 2025 Read first time May 12, 2025 Referred to Natural Resources May 21, 2025 Scheduled for public hearing on . . . May 21, 2025 Considered in public hearing May 21, 2025 Left pending in committee May 21, 2025 Considered in public hearing May 21, 2025 Vote taken in committee May 22, 2025 Reported favorably w/o amendments May 22, 2025 Recommended for local & uncontested calendar May 22, 2025 Committee report printed and distributed May 23, 2025 Co-sponsor authorized May 23, 2025 Placed on intent calendar May 23, 2025 Rules suspended-Regular order of business May 23, 2025 Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading May 23, 2025 Vote recorded in Journal May 23, 2025 Three day rule suspended May 23, 2025 Record vote May 23, 2025 Read 3rd time May 23, 2025 Passed May 23, 2025 Record vote May 24, 2025 Senate passage reported May 24, 2025 Reported enrolled May 25, 2025 Signed in the House May 25, 2025 Signed in the Senate May 26, 2025 Sent to the Governor Jun 20, 2025 Signed by the Governor Jun 20, 2025 Effective on 9/1/25 FILED UNDER SIGNED FOR BY House · 143 yea · 0 nay
Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay
Sources House: Final passage · May 8, 2025. Journal . Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
Senate: Final passage · May 23, 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
Donors
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 · Jul 9, 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 Truth and Liberty PAC $50,000.00 Texans for Truth and Liberty PAC $50,000.00
Cash $50,000.00
Paid by others $0.00
Total $50,000.00 Also funds 44 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
Team Sources Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 8, 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: 101007659, 101072052.
Gideon Powell $30,000.00
Dustin Burrows Campaign $27,600.00 Dustin Burrows Campaign $27,600.00
Cash $0.00
Paid by others $27,600.00
Total $27,600.00 polling $27,600.00
Also funds 39 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Team Sources Derived itemized flow · on Aug 5, 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: 101068080.
Money Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
× Texans for Truth and Liberty PAC $50,000.00
Cash $50,000.00
Paid by others $0.00
Total $50,000.00 Also funds 44 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
Team Sources Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 8, 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: 101007659, 101072052.
× Dustin Burrows Campaign $27,600.00
Cash $0.00
Paid by others $27,600.00
Total $27,600.00 polling $27,600.00
Also funds 39 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Team Sources Derived itemized flow · on Aug 5, 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: 101068080.
Votes5
Senate May 23, 2025
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.
Sources
Senator Zaffirini moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 4426 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 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 23, 2025
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.
Sources
Senator Zaffirini moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 4426 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 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 23, 2025
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.
Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.
Sources
The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by a viva voce vote.
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 8, 2025
Yea 143
Nay 0
Present, not voting 1
Absent 4
Excused 2
Names
Davis, A. Yea Louderback Yea Schoolcraft Yea Allen Yea Hernandez Yea Rodríguez Ramos Yea Hopper Yea Orr Yea Button Yea Johnson Yea Martinez Yea Walle Yea Gervin-Hawkins Yea Bumgarner Yea Buckley Yea Money Yea Harrison Yea Cain Excused Landgraf Yea Noble Yea Tepper Yea Fairly Yea Harris Davila Yea Isaac Yea Garcia Hernandez Absent Bell, C. Yea Ward Johnson Yea Cunningham Yea Geren Yea Turner Yea Manuel Yea Morales, C. Yea Ordaz Yea Harris Yea Vasut Yea Hefner Yea Phelan Yea Alders Yea Cook Yea Lowe Yea Spiller Yea Villalobos Yea Paul Yea Bernal Yea McLaughlin Yea Howard Yea Darby Yea Mr. Speaker(C) Present, not voting Morales, E. Yea Campos Yea Troxclair Yea Gámez Yea Zwiener Yea Gates Yea VanDeaver Yea Wu Yea Hinojosa Yea Capriglione Yea Bonnen Yea Dutton Yea Kerwin Yea Hickland Yea Vo Yea Lozano Yea Frank Yea Talarico Yea Lopez, J. Yea Holt Yea Patterson Yea Dean Yea Barry Yea Leach Yea González, J. Yea Shofner Yea Moody Yea Bryant Yea Bucy Yea Lujan Yea McQueeney Yea Smithee Yea Jones, J. Yea Rosenthal Yea Garcia, J. Yea Pierson Yea Bell, K. Yea King Yea Richardson Yea Hull Yea Simmons Yea Garcia, L. Yea Flores Yea DeAyala Yea LaHood Yea Dorazio Yea Perez, M. Yea González, M. Yea Morgan Yea Shaheen Yea Plesa Yea Olcott Yea Schofield Yea Little Yea Meyer Yea Schatzline Yea Collier Yea Longoria Excused Curry Yea Dyson Yea Morales Shaw Yea Cortez Yea Guerra Yea Anchía Yea Romero Yea Lopez, R. Yea Bowers Yea Hayes Yea Raymond Yea Reynolds Yea Guillen Yea Bhojani Yea Harless Yea Thompson Yea Muñoz Yea Slawson Absent Luther Yea Cole Yea Gerdes Yea Kitzman Yea Lambert Yea Toth Yea Lalani Yea Leo Wilson Yea Canales Yea Wilson Yea Meza Yea Hunter Yea Craddick Yea Oliverson Yea Rose Yea Tinderholt Yea Ashby Yea Martinez Fischer Yea Wharton Yea Swanson Yea Jones, V. Absent Goodwin Yea Perez, V. Yea Virdell Yea Metcalf Yea Davis, Y. Absent Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.
House journal
Sources
Record 1825
HB 4426 was passed by (Record 1825): 143 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.
Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.
Yea: 143 (published) Nay: 0 (published) Present, not voting: 1 (published) Absent: 4 (derived from named list) Excused: 2 (derived from named list) House journal . Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
House May 7, 2025
Yea 125
Nay 0
Present, not voting 1
Absent 3
Excused 21
Names
Davis, A. Yea Louderback Yea Schoolcraft Yea Allen Yea Hernandez Yea Rodríguez Ramos Yea Hopper Yea Orr Excused Button Yea Johnson Yea Martinez Yea Walle Excused Gervin-Hawkins Yea Bumgarner Yea Buckley Yea Money Yea Harrison Yea Cain Yea Landgraf Yea Noble Yea Tepper Excused Fairly Yea Harris Davila Excused Isaac Yea Garcia Hernandez Yea Bell, C. Yea Ward Johnson Yea Cunningham Yea Geren Yea Turner Yea Manuel Yea Morales, C. Excused Ordaz Yea Harris Excused Vasut Absent Hefner Excused Phelan Yea Alders Yea Cook Yea Lowe Yea Spiller Yea Villalobos Yea Paul Excused Bernal Yea McLaughlin Yea Howard Yea Darby Yea Mr. Speaker(C) Present, not voting Morales, E. Excused Campos Yea Troxclair Yea Gámez Excused Zwiener Yea Gates Yea VanDeaver Yea Wu Yea Hinojosa Yea Capriglione Yea Bonnen Yea Dutton Yea Kerwin Yea Hickland Yea Vo Yea Lozano Yea Frank Yea Talarico Yea Lopez, J. Yea Holt Yea Patterson Excused Dean Yea Barry Yea Leach Yea González, J. Yea Shofner Yea Moody Yea Bryant Yea Bucy Yea Lujan Yea McQueeney Yea Smithee Yea Jones, J. Yea Rosenthal Yea Garcia, J. Yea Pierson Yea Bell, K. Yea King Yea Richardson Yea Hull Yea Simmons Yea Garcia, L. Yea Flores Yea DeAyala Absent LaHood Excused Dorazio Yea Perez, M. Excused González, M. Yea Morgan Yea Shaheen Yea Plesa Yea Olcott Yea Schofield Yea Little Excused Meyer Yea Schatzline Yea Collier Yea Longoria Absent Curry Excused Dyson Yea Morales Shaw Yea Cortez Yea Guerra Yea Anchía Yea Romero Yea Lopez, R. Yea Bowers Yea Hayes Yea Raymond Yea Reynolds Yea Guillen Yea Bhojani Yea Harless Yea Thompson Yea Muñoz Yea Slawson Yea Luther Yea Cole Yea Gerdes Excused Kitzman Excused Lambert Yea Toth Yea Lalani Yea Leo Wilson Yea Canales Excused Wilson Yea Meza Yea Hunter Excused Craddick Excused Oliverson Yea Rose Excused Tinderholt Yea Ashby Yea Martinez Fischer Yea Wharton Yea Swanson Yea Jones, V. Yea Goodwin Yea Perez, V. Yea Virdell Yea Metcalf Yea Davis, Y. Yea Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.
House journal
Sources
Record 1720
CSHB 4426, as amended, was passed to engrossment by (Record 1720): 125 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.
Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.
Yea: 125 (published) Nay: 0 (published) Present, not voting: 1 (published) Absent: 3 (derived from named list) Excused: 21 (derived from named list) House journal . Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
Witnesses14
For 12
Against 0
On 2
Names
For
Commission Shift Action 1 registration Fasken Oil and Ranch 1 registration Legislative and Conservation Director 1 registration Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club 1 registration Milestone Environmental Services 1 registration Republic Services 1 registration Self 1 registration Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) 2 registrations Waste Management Energy Services 3 registrations
On
Railroad Commission of Texas 2 registrations
Sources
14 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 E · source
Sources
Fiscal note · version E · May 19, 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 11, 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 Cosponsors House committee · Energy Resources · Committee vote 7 aye, 0 nay, 4 absent · Out of committee
Senate committee · Natural Resources · Committee vote 9 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee
Subjects Energy--General
Environment--Hazardous, Toxic & Nuclear Waste
Environment--Solid Waste
Environment--Water
Oil & Gas
PERMITS
RAILROAD COMMISSION
Text The text as introduced · 185 words
89R12717 KRM-F
By: Darby
H.B. No. 4426
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the term of a permit issued by the Railroad Commission
of Texas for a commercial surface disposal facility.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 91, Natural Resources
Code, is amended by adding Section 91.118 to read as follows:
Sec. 91.118. TERM OF COMMERCIAL SURFACE DISPOSAL FACILITY
PERMIT. (a) In this section, "commercial surface disposal
facility" has the meaning assigned by Section 91.116.
(b) Unless otherwise provided by law, a permit for a
commercial surface disposal facility is valid for a term of not more
than 10 years.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a permit issued by the Railroad Commission of Texas on or after
the effective date of this Act. A permit issued before the
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
date of issuance, and that law is continued in effect for that
purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Monitoring 
