The Texas Senate Wednesday evening unanimously passed legislation to require disclosure of the contents of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) fluid, “breaking ground that no other state has done,” according to state Sen. Troy Fraser (R-Horseshoe Bay). However, a floor amendment could thwart the bill’s progress.

The House previously passed similar frack fluid legislation, but an amendment to the Senate’s version by Fraser Wednesday attached SB 655, which is a bill to address recommendations by the state’s Sunset Commission for the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) (see Shale Daily, April 6). The House and Senate versions of the legislation that would reconfigure the RRC are in conflict, which could thwart reconciliation of the fracking legislation in conference committee.

“Members, this [SB 655 amendment] is the RRC commission sunset bill that died over in the House; this is an attempt to revive that,” Fraser said. The last day of the regular legislative session is Monday.

Fraser touted the frack fluid bill for, among other things, for recognizing producer/operator rights to protect the “secret sauce” in hydrofracking fluid. Companies concerned about protecting trade secrets may apply to the state attorney general’s office to prevent disclosure, Fraser explained on the Senate floor.

“I think probably every square inch of my district is sitting on top of the Barnett Shale,” said state Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound), who was cosponsor of the bill with Fraser. “I don’t think there is any other state in the nation that has a disclosure requirement this comprehensive…”

(To read the full story go to shaledaily.com.)

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