Bell v. State

The State, on behalf of the Railroad Commission, brought this action against J. Ralph Bell for reimbursement of expenses incurred in the plugging of two abandoned oil wells. Tex.Nat.Res.Code Ann. § 89.083 (Supp.1987). The trial court, sitting without a jury, rendered judgment for the State for $5,908 plus prejudgment interest, attorney’s fees, and court costs. Tex.Rev.Civ. Stat.Ann. art. 3917 (Supp.1987). Bell argues on appeal that the State’s claim is barred by a release executed in 1977 and by the principles of res judicata and collateral estoppel. We will affirm the judgment of the trial…