The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Tuesday reported out a three bill package on the issue of calculating oil and gas well royalties and other legislation. The bills include--

-- Senate Bill 1236 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) authorizing royalty interest owners of oil and gas wells to inspect records of gas companies to verify proper payments (amended);

-- Senate Bill 1237 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) prohibiting gas companies from retaliating against royalty interest owners of oil and gas wells by terminating their lease agreement (amended);

-- Senate Bill 1238 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) requiring gas companies to fill a satisfaction piece in the county Recorder of Deeds office when oil and gas leases are terminated (amended);

-- Senate Bill 1155 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) establishing an Aggregate Advisory Board at DEP (amended); and

-- Senate Bill 1254 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) changing the definition of “lead free” under the Plumbing System Lead Ban and Notification Act to conform to federal requirements-- sponsor summary.

The bills are now on the Senate Calendar for further action.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair and Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair.

NewsClips:

House Committee Weighs Gas Royalty Legislation

Attorney General reviewing Complaints About Gas Well Royalties

Another Skeleton In Chesapeake Energy Closet, Royalties

Chesapeake Energy’s $5 Billion Shuffle

3/17/2014