By a tie vote of 8-8, SB 1291 (Chafin) and SB 1292 (Chafin) were defeated in the Senate Finance Committee on February 2. These are related bills that establish “trade secret” status for chemicals used in the process of hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.” Both bills were rejected after contentious debate following testimony by Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward. She contended that both bills would impose a substantial fiscal impact upon state government.
Last week the House passed HB 1678 (Robinson) – as introduced, the identical companion measure to SB 1292 – by a vote of 59-37. A vote is pending on HB 1679 (Robinson), the companion measure to SB 1291.
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VACo Contact: Larry Land, CAE