SB 249 (BR 2021) - J. Carpenter

     AN ACT relating to oil and gas hearings.
     Amend KRS 13B.020 to exempt oil and gas hearings held under KRS Chapter 353 from the hearing requirements of KRS Chapter 13B, except for hearings conducted by the Kentucky Oil and Gas Conservation Commission under KRS Chapter 353.500 to 353.720; amend KRS 353.060 to provide for petition and notice requirements for oil and gas hearings held by the Energy and Environment Cabinet's Office of Administrative Hearings relating to drilling near coal-bearing strata; amend KRS 353.200 to specify that the Department for Natural Resources may receive complaints of drilling or mining operations not conforming to orders of the cabinet's Office of Administrative Hearings; amend KRS 353.510 to define "notice"; amend KRS 353.590 to change the bond forfeiture process for noncomplying operators; provide that orders or final determinations under the section are subject to review under Section 11 of the Act; amend KRS 353.5901 to require the director to make a final agency determination with regard to a mediation plan between well operators and surface owners; provide that orders or final determinations under the section are subject to review under Section 11 of the Act; make conforming changes; amend KRS 353.620 to allow the director to determine whether a distance variance may be permitted for a well; provide that orders or final determinations under the section are subject to review under Section 11 of the Act; amend KRS 353.630 to change notice requirements relating to the pooling of oil and gas interests; provide that orders or final determinations under the section are subject to review under Section 11 of the Act; amend KRS 353.640 to change notice requirements for pooling orders relating to unknown or unlocatable owners; provide that orders or final determinations under the section are subject to review under Section 11 of the Act; amend KRS 353.645 to specify who interested persons are with regard to pooled oil and gas interests; provide that orders or final determinations under the section are subject to review under Section 11 of the Act; make conforming changes; amend KRS 353.700 to change the appeal process for final determinations made or orders issued under KRS Chapter 353; establish petition and hearing procedures; require the cabinet to promulgate administrative regulations to establish formal and informal hearing procedures; allow for appeal to Franklin Circuit Court of final orders issued by the secretary under the section; make conforming changes; amend 353.806 to provide that orders or final determinations under the section are subject to review under Section 11 of the Act; make conforming changes; amend 353.808 to change notice requirements for pool orders relating to sequestration of carbon dioxide; provide that orders or final determinations under the section are subject to review under Section 11 of the Act.