SENATE BILL 786

 

 AN ACT TO:

 

(1) EXTEND THE DEADLINE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A MODERN REGULATORY PROGRAM FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND PRODUCTION IN THE STATE AND THE USE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING AND HYDRAULIC FRACTURING TREATMENTS FOR THAT PURPOSE;

 

(2) ENACT OR MODIFY CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS FROM REQUIREMENTS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT APPLICABLE TO RULES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND PRODUCTION IN THE STATE AND THE USE OF HORIZONTAL DRILLING AND HYDRAULIC FRACTURING TREATMENTS FOR THAT PURPOSE; 

 

(3) AUTHORIZE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS FOR OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES SIXTY DAYS AFTER APPLICABLE RULES BECOME EFFECTIVE; 

 

(4) CREATE THE NORTH CAROLINA OIL AND GAS COMMISSION AND RECONSTITUTE THE NORTH CAROLINA MINING COMMISSION; 

 

5) AMEND MISCELLANEOUS STATUTES GOVERNING OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES; 

 

(6) ESTABLISH A SEVERANCE TAX APPLICABLE TO OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES; 

 

(7) AMEND MISCELLANEOUS STATUTES UNRELATED TO OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES; 

 

(8) DIRECT STUDIES ON VARIOUS ISSUES, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON ENERGY POLICY.