Texas Railroad Commission to Restore Public Comment
The commission plans to reinstate general public input at its December 2026 open meeting after suspending the policy in August.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Utilities
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The Texas Railroad Commission voted in late August 2026 to suspend its two-decade general public comment policy, which allowed members of the public to testify on matters not tied to agenda items. The commission will revise its Public Engagement and Participation Policy to restore the original process at its December 2026 meeting.
Why it matters
The suspension drew numerous constituent complaints to state Rep. Drew Darby's office and prompted an oversight hearing, shaping how residents across Texas can weigh in on oil and gas regulation. Lawmakers have signaled continued scrutiny of commission policies in the 2027 legislative session.
The commission's general public comment policy, in place for about two decades, was suspended for roughly two months before the planned reinstatement at its December 2026 meeting. Every regular open meeting will now include a standing agenda item for general public input on matters within the commission's jurisdiction.
The players
Texas Railroad Commission
The state agency that regulates the oil and gas industry in Texas and oversees pipelines, drilling and related activity statewide.
Wayne Christian
The chair of the Texas Railroad Commission, who confirmed the reinstatement of public comment in a letter to Darby.
Drew Darby
A Texas state representative from San Angelo who called the September 2026 oversight hearing and announced the reinstatement.
The details
Under the revised approach, the commission will add listening sessions and outreach events, though elected commissioners are not required to attend them. Texas law exempts state agencies, along with the legislative and executive branches, from requiring public comment, so the restoration rests on the commission's own policy.
Timeline
Late August 2026: Commission voted to suspend its general public comment policy.
September 2026: State Rep. Drew Darby called an oversight hearing on the issue.
November 10, 2026: Darby announced the reinstatement in a news release.
December 2026: Commission plans to restore public comment at its open meeting.
2027 legislative session: Lawmakers plan to probe commission policies.
Roadmap
Texas law exempts state agencies from requiring public comment, which leaves the commission's two-decade policy as a matter of internal rule rather than statute. The suspension and planned restoration show how such agency-level policies can change without legislative action.
Residents who want to address the commission on matters outside the posted agenda can expect that opportunity to return at the December 2026 meeting. The restored standing item will allow testimony on any matter within the commission's jurisdiction, not only items already scheduled for a vote.
The takeaway
Watch the commission's December 2026 open meeting agenda to confirm when the standing public comment item appears. Residents who want to testify can plan to sign up for that item once it is restored.
What happens next
The Texas Railroad Commission plans to revise its Public Engagement and Participation Policy and restore the standing public comment item at its December 2026 open meeting.
Further reading
For more on how state utility regulators make decisions, see Utilities coverage.
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