Well permit applications; disclosure of trade secrets. (HB1679)
Introduced By
Del. Roxann Robinson (R-Chesterfield) with support from co-patron Del. Will Morefield (R-North Tazewell)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✓ |
Passed Committee |
✓ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Well permit applications; disclosure of trade secrets. Authorizes the Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy (Department) to require disclosure of chemical ingredient names, chemical abstracts numbers, or the amount or concentration of chemicals or ingredients used to stimulate a well notwithstanding exclusion from mandatory disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act as a trade secret. The bill authorizes the Director of the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (Director) to disclose such information to additional Department staff or state or local officials to assist the Department in responding to an emergency. The bill prohibits such individuals from disseminating such information further. The bill requires the Director to notify the party that submitted the trade secret of disclosure as soon as practicable. The bill prohibits orders issued pursuant to 45.1-361.27 from including trade secret information. Read the Bill »
Outcome
History
Date | Action |
---|---|
01/06/2017 | Committee |
01/06/2017 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17102791D |
01/06/2017 | Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources |
01/12/2017 | Impact statement from DPB (HB1679) |
01/12/2017 | Assigned ACNR sub: Natural Resources |
01/18/2017 | Subcommittee recommends reporting (4-Y 2-N) |
01/25/2017 | Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment (6-Y 3-N) |
02/01/2017 | Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with amendment (12-Y 9-N) (see vote tally) |
02/02/2017 | Read first time |
02/02/2017 | Impact statement from DPB (HB1679) |
02/03/2017 | Passed by for the day |
02/06/2017 | Read second time |
02/06/2017 | Committee amendment agreed to |
02/06/2017 | Engrossed by House as amended HB1679E |
02/06/2017 | Printed as engrossed 17102791D-E |
02/07/2017 | Read third time and passed House (63-Y 34-N) |
02/07/2017 | VOTE: PASSAGE (63-Y 34-N) (see vote tally) |
02/08/2017 | Constitutional reading dispensed |
02/08/2017 | Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources |
02/09/2017 | Impact statement from DPB (HB1679E) |
02/16/2017 | Stricken at request of Patron in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (9-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
Comments
I do not understand how this benefits the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Why should the actual chemicals used to "stimulate" a well be kept secret? Do the companies have something to hide? I do understand the concept of "trade secrets" but I do not understand the protection of such information at the potential cost of constituents health/lives. Please vote against this bill. And for what it's worth, I am a constituent of the Delegate sponsoring this bill in the House.