AUSTIN, Texas (The Texas Tribune) - State Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, on Tuesday berated Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian for failing to appear before a legislative panel scheduled to discuss, among other things, the agency's decision to eliminate public comment during its meetings.

In light of his absence, Darby, who chairs the House Energy Resources Committee, called on the Legislature to review the Railroad Commission's policies in next year's legislative session."I do not recall my request for his presence as being optional," Darby said at the start of the committee meeting.

"It is beyond clear that Commissioner Christian has willfully chosen to defy this committee. A sitting commissioner absconding from his agency's oversight hearing is nothing more than a mockery of the Texas legislature and the legislative process."Darby also reminded attendees that the Legislature created the Railroad Commission and writes the laws the agency is tasked with enforcing, at one point suggesting that lawmakers could abolish its existence "with a simple majority vote."Christian, who introduced the policy changes, said in a Tuesday letter to Darby that he planned to attend the hearing at its original time of 8:30 a.m. However, the hearing was moved to 11:30 a.m., which conflicted with the Railroad Commission's previously scheduled public meeting, Christian said, rendering him unable to attend.