DRILLING-COALBED METHANE DAMAG

Amends the Drilling Operations Act. Provides that the Act applies to oil, gas and coalbed methane (instead of oil and gas). Provides that a drilling operator must give a surface owner written notice of the commencement of drilling and do so by certified mail postmarked at least 30 days prior to drilling (instead of 10 days) or by personal delivery at least 30 days prior to drilling (instead of 8 days). Provides that the operator shall pay money to the surface owner equal to the damages sustained by the owner and his or her tenant (instead of owner) for losses to agricultural production and income, land value, access, and improvements caused by drilling (instead of damages to crops, trees, improvements and livestock). Provides a crop valuation method (instead of an alternative crop valuation method). Provides that if the owner and operator do not agree on compensation, the owner may bring a legal action and if in the action the court awards a greater amount of compensation than the operator offered, the court shall award costs, interest on the compensation from the day drilling began, and attorney's fees (instead of no attorney's fees can be recovered if the operator relies on a third party appraisal). Provides that electrical lines, flow lines, and other underground structures (instead of flow lines and other underground structures) must be buried below the surface. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.