Past Newsletters

To read the current TLMA newsletter, please use your Member Login to access and download the newsletter here.

September 2023

  • Update from the Executive Director
  • 2023 Statewide Members Meeting Information
  • 2023 Statewide Members Meeting Agenda
  • 2023 Sponsors and Exhibitors
  • Additional Legislation of Interest
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest

June 2023

  • Update from the Executive Director
  • The Anything but Regular 88th Legislative Session
  • Potential Member Communication Transition for TLMA
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest
  • Another Successful Legislative Session for Land and Mineral Owners
  • 2023 Statewide Members Meeting Information

March 2023

  • Update from the Executive Director
  • Texas Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Mineral Owner - Twice!
  • TLMA Outstanding Membership Recruitment Award
  • 2024-2025 RRC Appropriations
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest
  • 2023-2024 TLMA Leadership
  • 2023 Legislative Update
  • 2023 TLMA Statewide Members Meeting

December 2022

  • Update from the Executive Director
  • General Election Results & The Beginning of the 88th Legislative Session
  • TLMA Annual Membership Awards Nominations and Form
  • 2022 Statewide Members Meeting Wrap Up
  • Minutes from the 2022 TLMA Statewide Members Meeting
  • 2022 TLMA Statewide Members Meeting Sponsors and Exhibitors
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest

September 2022

  • Texas Produced Water Consortium Files Legislative Report
  • 2022 Statewide Members Meeting Information and Agenda
  • Update from the Executive Director
  • 2022 Statewide Members Meeting Sponsors and Exhibitors
  • GDHM Land & Mineral Owner Seminar
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest

June 2022

  • Primary Runoff Election Results Set the Stage for Novembers
  • Carbon Sequestration Development on the Fast Track
  • 2022 Statewide Members Meeting Information
  • Landowner Win! Texas Supreme Court Rules in Hlavinka Case
  • Comptroller Rural Broadband Survey
  • Update from the Executive Director

March 2022

  • Texas Primary Election Wrap Up
  • Update from the Executive Director
  • Speaker Phelan Announces 87th Legislature Interim Charges
  • TLMA Joins Texas Produced Water Consortium
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest
  • Updated Oil and Gas Attorney List
  • 2022 Statewide Members Meeting Registration
  • TLMA Elects New Chairman
  • Texas Senate Releases Interim Charges

December 2021

  • Third Special Session Ends and Election Season Begins
  • TLMA Annual Membership Awards Nominations
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest
  • Exhibitors of 2021 Statewide Members Meeting
  • Statewide Members Meeting Wrap Up
  • TLMA Corporate Membership
  • 2021 Statewide Members Meeting Sponsors
  • Automatic Membership Renewal Option
  • 2021 Business Meeting Minutes
  • Update from the Executive Director
  • Do You Need to Get a Copy of a Division Order? Here's How! 

September 2021

  • Texas Legislature Enters Marathon Special Sessions
  • Update from the Executive Director
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest
  • Statewide Member's Meeting Sponsors
  • Questions from Tiffany's Desk: What Signs Do I Need On My Farm/Ranch?

June 2021

  • The 87th Texas Legislature Adjourns Sine Die...For Now. 
  • Update from the Executive Director
  • Tips for Managing Mineral Rights During Volatile imes
  • Another Successful Legislative Session for Mineral Owners
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest

March 2021

  • 87th Legislative Session Begins
  • What does a growing solar industry mean for land and mineral owners?
  • TLMA Board of Directors 2021-2022
  • TLMA Board of Directors Appoints Slate of Honorary and Advisory Directors
  • TLMA Director Retires After 21 Years
  • Membership Recruitment Award Recipient Tucker Bridwell
  • Outstanding Service Award Recipient George Tanner
  • TLMA Appoints New District Representatives
  • The Question of Produced Water Ownership

December 2020

  • 2020 Election Wrap Up and 2021 Legislative Session
  • TLMA Annual Membership Awards
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest
  • Exhibitors of 2020 Statewide Members Meeting
  • Update from the Executive Director
  • Minutes from the TLMA Statewide Members Meeting
  • How to Know What Bills TLMA is Tracking
  • Request for Information

September 2020

  • TLMA Annual Membership Awards
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest
  • Exhibitors of 2020 Statewide Members Meeting
  • Statewide Members Meeting Wrap Up
  • Update from the Executive Director
  • Minutes from the TLMA Statewide Members Meeting
  • How to Know What Bills TLMA is Tracking
  • Request for Information
  • 2020 Election Wrap Up and 2021 Legislative Session

June 2020

  • Railroad Commission of Texas Considers Prorationing Oil Production for the First Time in 50 Years
  • Update from the Executive Director
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest
  • Railroad Commission of Texas Regulatory Update
  • Statewide Members Meeting Update
  • Statewide Members Meeting Registration Form

March 2020

  • Texas Supreme Court Issues Opinion Allowing Utility Easements to Be Expanded Without Compensation
  • Multiple Cases & A Rulemaking that Impact Property Owners
  • Introducing Kim McTee, TLMA Chairman
  • Outstanding Service Award Recipient Russell Hayter
  • Membership Recruitment Award Recipient Ford Frost
  • Update from the Executive Director
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest
  • Updated Lease Form Available
  • New Website - Coming Soon!
  • 2020 Statewide Members Meeting Information
  • 2020 Statewide Members Meeting Registration Form

December 2019

  • TLMA Board Chairman Keenan Retires
  • TLMA Annual Membership Awards Nominations
  • Kinder Morgan's Permian Highway Pipeline: Not Just Another Pipeline
  • Save the Date - Statewide Members Meeting
  • Update from the Executive Director
  • TLMA Celebrated 20th Anniversary
  • House of Representatives Issues Interim Charges
  • Are You Looking to Communicate with Other TLMA Members?
  • Texas Senate Issues Interim Charges
  • Upcoming Events

September 2019

  • Easements Everlasting
  • TLMA Regional Meeting Information
  • Update from the Executive Director
  • TLMA Regional Meeting Speakers
  • What Impact Does the RRC Budget Have on Well Plugging?
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest

June 2019

  • Governor Abbott Signs Law to Protect Royalty Owners
  • Update from the Executive Director
  • Additional 86th Legislative Session Efforts
  • Why Mineral Management is Critical to Avoid Suspended Funds
  • Save the Date for Upcoming Member Meetings
  • Wayne Christian Elected Chairman of the Railroad Commission
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest


March 2019

  • 86th Legislative Session Begins
  • Auditing Your Royalties
  • TLMA Board of Directors Appoints Slate of Honorary and Advisory Directors
  • Railroad Commission Launches RRC Online Inspection Tool
  • TLMA Board of Directors 2019-2020
  • RRC Rulemaking Update
  • Minutes from the TLMA Statewide Members Meeting
  • TLMA Celebrates 20th Anniversary
  • TLMA Membership Award Recipients
  • Results from Statewide Members Meeting Survey
  • TLMA Statistics
  • TLMA District Representatives
  • Update from the Executive Director

December 2018

  • 2019 Legislative Session - What to Expect During the 140 Days
  • TLMA Annual Membership Awards Nominations and Form
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest
  • Membership Dues Charges to Your Credit Card
  • Update from the Executive Director
  • 2018 TLMA Statewide Members Meeting Wrap Up and Pictures
  • Minutes from the TLMA Statewide Members Meeting
  • Request for Information from Our Members

September 2018

  • Allocation wells: What are they and what is the controversy?
  • Register today for the TLMA Statewide Members Meeting, October 11
  • Update from the Executive Director
  • Texas Supreme Court decides another fraction-of-royalty case
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest
  • Final information for the Statewide Members Meeting
  • Proposed by-law revisions

June 2018

  • Proposed elimination of annual well test for oil wells
  • Update of Court Cases of Interest
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest
  • Do you have a well with a missing sign?
  • South Texas Tour with RR Commissioner Wayne Christian
  • Update from the Executive Director
  • RRC Drilling, Completion, & Plugging Statistics
  • Maps of Lease, Permit and Rig & Production Activity
  • Statewide Member's Meeting Update

March 2018

  • ConocoPhillips v. Koopmann: Does a reserved term royalty interest violate the rule against perpetuities?
  • The Importance of the Next Generation Joining TLMA
  • Primary Runoff Election Results
  • A Note from the Executive Director
  • Upcoming Dates of Interest
  • New Lease Form Available
  • New Call Before You Dig Requirements
  • Statewide Members Meeting Update and Registration


December 2017

  • Texas Parties Win In Red River Private Property Rights Lawsuit
  • TLMA Annual Membership Awards Nominations
  • RRC Approves Well Plugging and Site Remediation Budget; Denies MIPA Permit
  • SAVE THE DATE - 2018 Statewide Members Meeting
  • A Note of Thanksgiving and Holiday Greetings from the Executive Director
  • House of Representatives Issue Interim Charges for 85th Legislature
  • Texas Senate Issues Interim Charges for 85th Legislature
  • Upcoming Events

September 2017

  • How to File a Complaint on Oil and Gas Operations
  • Railroad Commission Information for Filing Complaints
  • A Note from the Executive Director
  • Texas Supreme Court to Review Cases Impacting Oil and Gas Leases
  • New Laws Went Into Effect September 1
  • Upcoming Events for Land and Mineral Owners

June 2017

  • New Law Protects Family Farms and Ranches
  • 85th Legislature Appropriates More Money for Orphan Well Plugging
  • Neal Wilkins Joins TLMA Board of Directors
  • TLMA Welcomes New ED Jennifer Bremer
  • A Note from the Outgoing Executive Director
  • Court Upholds Award to Landowners in Oilfield Contamination Case
  • Texas Supreme Court Decides Underground Trespass Case
  • What Happened with Eminent Domain Reform

 March 2017

  • 85th Legislative Session Begins
  • Court Rules Against Landowners in Eminent Domain Case
  • TLMA Names First Slate of Honorary and Advisory Directors
  • Two Supreme Court Cases to Watch
  • Membership Recruitment Award Recipient Lica Pinkston
  • Outstanding Service Award Recipient Trey Scott
  • Property Rights Coalition Sees Filing of Beneficial Legislation
  • Maps of Current Oil & Gas Activity in Texas

  • A Preview of the 85th Texas Legislature
  • Statewide Members Meeting Minutes
  • TLMA Statewide Members Meeting a Success
  • TLMA Vice-Chairman Steps Down
  • TLMA and TSCRA File Amicus Brief in Exxon v. Lazy R Ranch
  • RRC Adopts Rule Changes Affecting Inactive Wells
  • The Crisis in Enforcing RRC Rules and Abandoned Wells
  • File a Complaint with the Railroad Commission
  • Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick Announces Texas Oilfield Relief Initiative
  • Court Decides Landmark Groundwater Case
  • TLMA Proposes Revisions to Association Bylaws
  • TLMA Testifies at Senate and Sunset Committee Hearings
  • Meet the Speakers for the TLMA Statewide Members Meeting
  • TLMA Statewide Members Meeting Registration
 
June 2016
  • The Intersection of Oil and Gas Development and Urban Sprawl

  • Write to Your State Legislators!

  • TLMA Launches New Membership Website

  • TLMA Comments on Sunset Commission Staff Report

  • Primary Runoff Election Results

  • Statewide Members Meeting Registration

March 2016
  • Railroad Commission Primary Elections Head to Runoffs
  • Court Hands Down Final Decision in Chesapeake v. Hyder
  • TLMA Files Amicus Brief in Denbury Green Pipeline Case
  • Texas Supreme Court Declines TCEQ Appeal in Texas Farm Bureau Surface Water Rights Case
  • Well Reclassifications Could Affect Royalty Owners' Interest
  • Watch Out for Deceptive or Predatory Royalty Offers
  • Outstanding Service Award Goes to James Donnell
  • Membership Recruitment Award Goes to Tucker Bridwell
December 2015
  • Property Tax Rollbacks for Oil Pads on Agricultural Land
  • Two Key Cases Before the Texas Supreme Court
  • TWDB Requests Comments on Brackish Groundwater Study
  • TLMA Annual Awards Nominations
  • Texas House of Representatives Interim Charges
  • Texas Senate Interim Charges
To receive print copies of these or previous newsletters or electronic copies of previous newsletters, please contact the TLMA office.
 

PAST NEWSLETTERS MOST REQUESTED AND ARTICLES OF INTEREST

 
4TH QUARTER 2016
 THE CRISIS IN ENFORCING RRC RULES AND ABANDONED WELLS

3RD QUARTER 2016
 COURT DECIDES LANDMARK GROUNDWATER CASE - COYOTE LAKE RANCH V. THE CITY OF LUBBOCK

2ND QUARTER 2016

  THE INTERSECTION OF OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT AND URBAN SPRAWL
 
1ST QUARTER 2016
  COURT HANDS DOWN FINAL DECISION IN CHESAPEAKE V. HYDER
  TX SUPREME COURT DECLINES TCEQ APPEAL IN TEXAS FARM BUREAU SURFACE WATER RIGHTS CASE
  WELL RECLASSIFICATIONS COULD AFFECT ROYALTY OWNERS’ INTERESTS

4TH QUARTER 2015
  PROPERTY TAX ROLLBACKS FOR OIL PADS ON AGRICULTURAL LAND

3RD QUARTER 2015
  SUPREME COURT RULES IN CHESAPEAKE V. HYDER
  STATE BEGINS IMPLEMENTING SWIFT AND SWIRFT PROGRAMS
  ARE GROUNDWATER WELLS FOR FRACKING EXEMPT FROM GCD PERMITTING?

2ND QUARTER 2015
  84TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION WRAP-UP
•  INDUCED SEISMICITY LINKED TO DISPOSAL WELLS
•  TEXAS LANDOWNER’S BILL OF RIGHTS
•  I RECEIVED A LETTER SAYING THEY’RE TAKING MY LAND…NOW WHAT?
  JUSTICES AGAIN AVOID UNDERGROUND TRESPASSING QUESTION

3RD QUARTER 2014
  FLARING IN THE EAGLE FORD

2ND QUARTER 2014
  BRACKISH GROUNDWATER: THINGS ARE HEATING UP
  $3 MILLION FOR NUISANCE IN BARNETT SHALE CASE

1ST QUARTER 2014
•  WHAT EVERY BUYER OF RURAL LAND SHOULD KNOW ABOUT OLD PROPERTY EASEMENT
  SALTWATER DISPOSAL WELL LEASING CONSIDERATIONS

4TH QUARTER 2013
  ALLOCATION WELL UPDATE
•  CHESAPEAKE AND POST-PRODUCTION COSTS
•  WHO OWNS ABANDONED PIPELINES
  EAGLE FORD ROADS

3RD QUARTER 2013
  ARE PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS DYING IN TEXAS?
  SECURING A RELIABLE WATER SUPPLY
  ALTERNATIVE FUELS PROGRAM AND THE OIL FIELD CLEANUP FUND
  TRANSMISSION LINES AND UTILITY ROUTING PROCESS

2ND QUARTER 2013
  COMMON CARRIERS POST-DENBURY GREEN: DISCUSSION OF BILLS FILED AND CONTINUING EFFORTS TO DRAFT LEGISLATION
  TEXAS WATER PLAN FUNDING: CREATION OF SWIFT AND SWIRFT
  RRC AMENDS RULE 13 NEW WELL-INTEGRITY REGULATIONS
•  “IN TEXAS ABANDONED OIL EQUIPMENT SPURS POLLUTION FEARS” (TEXAS TRIBUNE)

1ST QUARTER 2013
  DIVISION ORDER BILL: EXPLANATION OF TLMA BILL FILED BY HEGAR AND KEFFER
  RULE 13 PROPOSED CHANGES, TLMA LETTER SUPPORTING NEW REGULATIONS

4TH QUARTER 2012
  PRODUCTION SHARING AGREEMENTS AND ALLOCATION WELLS (MCFARLAND)
  DEFINITION OF MINERAL CLASSIFIED LANDS (FARMBROUGH)

3RD QUARTER 2012
•  OLIVIERA DECLARES PLAN TO ADDRESS DENBURY RULING WITH LEGISLATION IN THE 83RD SESSION
•  NEW RRC RULES ADOPTED CONTINUING “VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE” RULE 13 AMENDMENTS PROPOSED
•  ENBRIDGE PIPELINE V. AVINGER: LONG-TERM GROUND LEASE AND VALUATION OF PROPERTY WHEN CONDEMNED (CHRISTIAN)

2ND QUARTER 2012
•  HB 2259 (2009) CLEAN UP OF ABANDONED WELLS NOT BEING ENFORCED BY RRC
•  GROUNDWATER DISTRICTS’ REGULATION OF WATER SUPPLY WELLS (MCFARLAND)
  MINERAL COVERAGE UNDER TEXAS TITLE INSURANCE POLICIES (WEINER)

1ST QUARTER 2012
•  RRC IMPLIES ALL OPERATORS ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH WELL SITE CLEAN UP RULE FROM HB 2259, CORRESPONDENCE WITH RRC REGARDING ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW
  TLMA LETTER TO RRC EXPRESSING DISAPPROVAL OF PROPOSED RULES AND KEEPING THE “VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE” APPROACH
  EDWARDS AQUIFER V. DAY: LANDOWNERS’ RIGHTS IN GROUNDWATER AND CONSTITUTIONAL TAKINGS CLAIMS (MASON)
  RRC ADOPTS HYDRAULIC FRAC FLUID DISCLOSURE RULE

4TH QUARTER 2011
  HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE INTERIM HEARING AND CHARGES

3RD QUARTER 2011
  RRC ANNOUNCES EAGLE FORD TASK FORCE
  GENERAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO LEASE AND ROYALTIES (OUTLINE FROM RRC)

2ND QUARTER 2011
•  ESTATE PLANNING AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GENERATIONS (FOULTZ)
•  DIVISION ORDERS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

1ST QUARTER 2011
  DENBURY GREEN PIPELINE CASE HEADS TO TEXAS SUPREME COURT (KORRIS)
•  RECONCILING MINERAL RIGHTS AND CONSERVATION EASEMENTS (FITZSIMMONS)
•  COLL V. ABACO: CLASS ACTION TO FORCE COMPANIES TO REIMBURSE ROYALTY OWNERS FOR SEVERANCE TAX REFUNDS
  JOINT STATEMENT ON SB 332 AND HB 1730: LANDOWNERS OWN THE GROUNDWATER BENEATH THEIR LAND

4TH QUARTER 2010
  RRC SUNSET REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS

3RD QUARTER 2010
  EXPLANATION OF FORCED UNITIZATION AND WHY IT IS BAD POLICY FOR TEXAS (SMITHERMAN)
  JOINT STATEMENT ON GROUNDWATER OWNERSHIP
  THE EAGLE FORD SHALE FROM A LAND AND MINERAL OWNER’S PERSPECTIVE (FITZSIMONS)
  GATTIE ET AL V. LOUISIANA: CHALLENGES AUTHORITY TO POOL UNITS CONTAINING MULTIPLE WELLS (MCFARLAND)

4TH QUARTER 2007
•  RRC ANNOUNCES $2.8 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR OIL FIELD CLEAN-UP FUND
•  TXDOT RELEASES ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR TRANS-TEXAS CORRIDOR
•  “TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT PLANS MAJOR CUTBACKS” (STATESMAN)

3RD QUARTER 2007
  WESTERN STATES ADOPTING SURFACE USE ACTS