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

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/06/2017Committee
01/06/2017Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17102791D
01/06/2017Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/12/2017Impact statement from DPB (HB1679)
01/12/2017Assigned ACNR sub: Natural Resources
01/18/2017Subcommittee recommends reporting (4-Y 2-N)
01/25/2017Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment (6-Y 3-N)
02/01/2017Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with amendment (12-Y 9-N) (see vote tally)
02/02/2017Read first time
02/02/2017Impact statement from DPB (HB1679)
02/03/2017Passed by for the day
02/06/2017Read second time
02/06/2017Committee amendment agreed to
02/06/2017Engrossed by House as amended HB1679E
02/06/2017Printed as engrossed 17102791D-E
02/07/2017Read third time and passed House (63-Y 34-N)
02/07/2017VOTE: PASSAGE (63-Y 34-N) (see vote tally)
02/08/2017Constitutional reading dispensed
02/08/2017Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/09/2017Impact statement from DPB (HB1679E)
02/16/2017Stricken at request of Patron in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (9-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)

Comments

Linda Miles writes:

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.