Natural Gas Severance Tax Moves From Committee

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee today reported out House Bill 1489 (George-D-Clearfield) enacting a severance tax on natural gas production. The bill was amended to allocate 40 percent of the revenues to environmental, energy and local government programs--
3 percent – LIHEAP heating assistance
15 percent – Environmental Stewardship Fund
4 percent – Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund
5 percent – Liquid Fuels Tax Fund (local governments any where)
4.5 percent – distribution to municipalities where drilling occurs, for certain purposes
4.5 percent- distribution to counties where drilling occurs
2 percent – Game Commission
2 percent – Fish & Boat Commission
The amendment was approved in Committee by a 20-6 vote and the bill was reported out by a 15-11 vote. Most Republicans voted against, most Democrats for.
The bill now goes to the full House for referral to the Appropriations Committee.