As of June 2019, the commission members are Wayne Christian (chairman), Ryan Sitton, and Christi Craddick. All three members are Republicans. Christian was elected in 2016 as a commissioner and a chairman in 2019.
Railroad Commission of Texas. Established by the Texas Legislature in 1891, it is the state's oldest regulatory agency and began as part of the Efficiency Movement of the Progressive Era. From the 1930s to the 1960s it largely set world oil prices, but was displaced by OPEC ( Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) after 1973.
From the 1890s through the 1960s, the Texas Railroad Commission found it difficult to fully enforce Jim Crow segregation legislation. Because of the expense involved, Texas railroads often allowed wealthier blacks to mix with whites, rather than provide separate cars, dining facilities, and even depots.
The amendment's ratification and the 1890 election of Governor James S. Hogg, a liberal Democrat, permitted the legislature in 1894 to create the Railroad Commission, giving it jurisdiction over operations of railroads, terminals, wharves, and express companies.
The Railroad Commission of Texas (Commission) is the state agency with primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline industry, natural gas utilities, the LP-gas industry, and coal and uranium surface mining operations.
The Railroad Commission was established in 1891 to regulate the rail industry of the 1800s. Since that time the Commission has been given the responsibility for overseeing the activities of many different industries.
As the state's oldest regulatory agency, RRC has had a critical role of protecting the interests of the public , and as long as it exists the commissioners and employees will fiercely defend the public's interests. Governor's Proclamation. Senate Resolution. House Resolution. Read About Our History.
The Railroad Commission of Texas no longer has any jurisdiction or authority over railroads in Texas, a duty which was transferred to other agencies, with the last of the rail functions transferred to the Texas Department of Transportation in 2005.