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Senate backs higher consent threshold, landowner protections for carbon sequestration projects
Summary
The Senate adopted a conference committee report on Senate Bill 73 raising the unitization consent threshold to 85%, establishing a land‑agent code of conduct and adding notice requirements for mineral servitude owners.
The Senate adopted the conference committee report on Senate Bill 73, which amends Title 30 to change procedures and protections for carbon sequestration projects and pipeline unitization.
Senator Reese said the bill raises the threshold for forced unitization from 75% to 85%, and described new provisions that ‘‘spell out all the steps they have to go through with the property owner in that process’’ when condemnation or eminent‑domain powers are used. He added the measure requires notice to mineral servitude owners potentially affected by leasing and unitization. The Senate adopted the conference committee report on a unanimous roll call: 34 yeas and 0 nays.
Why this matters: the bill increases the consenting‑landowner share required to force a unit and adds procedural protections intended to limit owner confusion or coercion in negotiations and condemnation steps.
Details: Senator Reese summarized three main changes: raising the involuntary unitization threshold to 85%, creating a land‑agent ("land man") code of conduct setting contact and offer‑review steps for property owners, and requiring notice to mineral‑servitude owners. The conference committee report was signed by five of six conferees (one absent member, Senator Wheat, was noted as supportive but not present).
Next steps: The bill as adopted will return to the enrolled bill process; implementation of notice and conduct requirements will depend on regulatory and industry practices described in the statute.
