The Pennsylvania Senate energy committee has reported out two bills that would better protect oil and natural gas royalty interest owners. SB 138 would allow landowners to inspect the records of gas companies to verify proper payments, and SB 139 would prohibit a gas company from “retaliating” in response to landowner questions about the accuracy of those payments. The bills will now be heard by the full Senate. Similar versions failed last year after they stalled in the state House of Representatives. Pennsylvania lawmakers have tried but failed for years to pass legislation that would better protect landowners, who have, among other things, raised concerns about post-production costs being deducted from their royalties.