Bill altering regulation of oil and gas moves to Idaho House

BOISE – An Idaho legislative panel has advanced a bill that significantly alters the state’s rules on natural gas and oil production to the full House for amendments.

The Idaho Statesman reports (http://bit.ly/2mQmYsU) that the Idaho House Resources and Conservation Commission took the action Tuesday after listening to more than six hours of testimony.

The bill could die unless the full House votes to amend it on the floor or send it back to the committee for changes.

The bill seeks to force oil companies to be more transparent with production records, protect royalty owners, and encourage competition among oil producers.

Republican Rep. Judy Boyle of Midvale told the committee that lawmakers allowed Texas-based oil company Alta Mesa to write rules and laws to the detriment of her constituents.

But other landowners testified that Alta Mesa has treated them fairly.