THE WEST VIRGINIA HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY APPROVED A NEW VERSION OF SB424 THAT INCLUDES AN AMENDMENT SPONSORED BY BARBARA FLEISCHAUER (D-MONONGALIA) AND MIKE MANYPENNY (D-TAYLOR). HOUSE SPEAKER RICHARD THOMPSON SENT THE BILL ON TO THE FULL HOUSE FOR PASSAGE BUT AT THE LAST MINUTE DELEGATE RON WALTERS (R-KANAWHA) ASKED THAT THE BILL BE READ IN ITS ENTIRETY PRIOR TO A VOTE, WHICH MAY HOLD UP ITS PASSAGE. THE AMENDMENT MAKES THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO THE SENATE VERSION:1) IF YOU OWN SURFACE WHERE THE MINERALS HAVE BEEN SEVERED, THE GAS COMPANY/OPERATOR MUST HAVE A COMPENSATION AGREEMENT WITH YOU OR THEY CAN'T DRILL A WELL ON YOUR PROPERTY; 2) NO WELLS MAY BE DRILLED WITHIN 1000 FEET OF AN OCCUPIED HOME OR WATER WELL; 3) A THIRTY (30) DAY CERTIFIED NOTICE IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF SURVEYING YOUR SURFACE PROPERTY FOR ROADS, ETC.; 4) NO WELL WITHIN 100 FEET OF ANY WATERCOURSE, LAKE OR WETLAND; 5) NO WELLS WITHIN 1000 FEET OF ANY SURFACE WATER OR GROUNDWATER INTAKE FOR A PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY;         6) UPON REQUEST, ANY SURFACE OWNER WITHIN 5,500 FEET OF ANY PROPOSED GAS WELL USING HYDRAULIC FRACTURING MAY REQUEST THE GAS COMPANY/OPERATOR TO PERFORM A PREDRILLING OR PREALTERATION SURVEY DONE BY A STATE APPROVED LABORATORY TO TEST FOR COMPOUNDS KNOWN TO BE USED IN HYDRAULIC FRACTURING; 7) THE GAS COMPANY, WITHOUT DIVULGING COMPANY SECRETS, IS REQUIRED TO SUPPLY A LIST OF THE CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS USED IN HYDRAULIC FRACTURING; 8) THE GAS COMPANY SHALL KEEP RECORDS SHOWING HOW MUCH FRAC FLUIDS WERE USED AND HOW MUCH RETURNED TO THE SURFACE; AND 9) THE GAS COMPANY/OPERATOR SHALL PAY THE SURFACE OWNER FOR A) LOST WAGES DUE TO THE DRILLING OF THE WELL; B) CROPS DESTROYED; C) TIMBER DESTROYED; D) DAMAGE TO WATER SUPPLY; E) LOSS OF PERSONAL PROPERTY; AND F) DIMINISHED PROPERTY VALUE. THESE CHANGES ONLY APPLY TO THE MARCELLUS SHALE.