AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – A floor technicality has temporarily derailed a bill seeking to overturn a highly-publicized local ban on hydraulic fracturing approved by the city of Denton while ensuring that other communities don’t follow suit.
San Angelo Republican Rep. Drew Darby’s plan had been set for likely House approval Tuesday.
But Democrats raised technical objections on another measure, and Darby’s bill was suspended for the same reason.
It will almost certainly return to the House floor, but exactly when isn’t clear.
Darby’s is one of 11 state proposals seeking to limit local restrictions on oil and gas exploration after Denton voters in November banned fracking there.
Darby softened his original bill to allow local ordinances regulating things like noise associated with oil and gas activity. But it nonetheless outlaws fracking bans.