# Tex. Natural Resources Code § 134.002: FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF POLICY

> Texas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cnr_C134_S134.002

## Section

- **Citation:** Tex. Natural Resources Code § 134.002
- **Heading:** FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF POLICY
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TX Code / Code nr / Chapter 134 / Section 134.002

## Text

The legislature finds and declares that:

(1) the Congress of the United States has enacted the federal Act, which provides for the establishment of a nationwide program to regulate surface coal mining and reclamation and which vests exclusive authority in the Department of the Interior over the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation in the United States;

(2) Section 101 of the federal Act contains the finding by Congress that because of the diversity in terrain, climate, biologic, chemical, and other physical conditions in areas subject to mining operations, the primary governmental responsibility for developing, authorizing, issuing, and enforcing regulations for surface mining and reclamation operations subject to that Act should rest with the states;

(3) Section 503 of the federal Act provides that each state may assume and retain exclusive jurisdiction over the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations in that state by obtaining approval of a state program of regulation that demonstrates that the state is able to carry out the provisions and meet the purposes of that Act;

(4) Section 503 of the federal Act further provides that a state wishing to assume exclusive jurisdiction over the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations in the state must have a state law that provides for the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations in accordance with that Act; and

(5) this state wishes to assume exclusive jurisdiction over the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations in the state under the federal Act.

## Nearby sections

- [Tex. Natural Resources Code § 134.001 § 134.001. SHORT TITLE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cnr_C134_S134.001.md)
- [Tex. Natural Resources Code § 134.002 § 134.002. FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF POLICY.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cnr_C134_S134.002.md)
- [Tex. Natural Resources Code § 134.003 § 134.003. PURPOSES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cnr_C134_S134.003.md)
- [Tex. Natural Resources Code § 134.004 § 134.004. DEFINITIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cnr_C134_S134.004.md)
- [Tex. Natural Resources Code § 134.005 § 134.005. EXEMPTIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cnr_C134_S134.005.md)
- [Tex. Natural Resources Code § 134.006 § 134.006. WATER RIGHTS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cnr_C134_S134.006.md)
- [Tex. Natural Resources Code § 134.007 § 134.007. CONFLICT OF INTEREST; OFFENSE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cnr_C134_S134.007.md)
- [Tex. Natural Resources Code § 134.008 § 134.008. APPLICABILITY TO GOVERNMENTAL UNITS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cnr_C134_S134.008.md)
- [Tex. Natural Resources Code § 134.011 § 134.011. GENERAL AUTHORITY OF COMMISSION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cnr_C134_S134.011.md)
- [Tex. Natural Resources Code § 134.012 § 134.012. JURISDICTION OF COMMISSION OVER SURFACE COAL, IRON ORE, AND IRON ORE GRAVEL MINING AND RECLAMATION OPERATIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cnr_C134_S134.012.md)
- [Tex. Natural Resources Code § 134.013 § 134.013. RULEMAKING AND PERMITTING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cnr_C134_S134.013.md)
- [Tex. Natural Resources Code § 134.014 § 134.014. COAL EXPLORATION OPERATIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cnr_C134_S134.014.md)
- [Tex. Natural Resources Code § 134.015 § 134.015. SURFACE EFFECTS OF UNDERGROUND MINING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cnr_C134_S134.015.md)
- [Tex. Natural Resources Code § 134.016 § 134.016. DEVELOPMENT OF PROCESS FOR DESIGNATING AREAS UNSUITABLE FOR SURFACE COAL MINING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cnr_C134_S134.016.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cnr_C134_S134.002. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.