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Senate Energy Committee holds first hearing on bill to update Ohio oil and gas laws, protect orphan-well fund
Summary
Senate Bill 219 would create a custodial fund for severance-tax revenue, streamline permitting and paperwork transfers, allow up to 10 expedited permits annually, shorten lease‑termination limits and clarify regulatory authority over cross‑state drilling and gathering lines. Committee held a first hearing; no vote was taken.
The Senate Energy Committee on Tuesday held the first hearing on Senate Bill 219, a wide-ranging update to Ohio law governing oil and gas operations that would create a custodial fund for severance-tax revenue, change permit and lease rules, and clarify regulatory authority for certain pipeline and drilling matters. Vice Chair Senator Landis sponsored the bill and presented sponsor testimony; the committee took no vote.
"Energy is national security," Senator Landis said in his opening remarks as he described the measure as the first general update to Ohio's oil and gas laws since 2012. He told the committee Ohio is a major producer of crude oil and natural gas and said the bill is intended to align statute with current industry practices and to protect the state's orphan well plugging efforts.
The bill would create a custodial fund within the Ohio Treasurer's office to hold severance taxes and related fees earmarked for the Division…
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