Bill Text: TX SB1122 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

Texas Senate Bill 1122 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to a limitation on the authority to curtail groundwater production from wells used for power generation or mining.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-04-14 - Left pending in committee [SB1122 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-SB1122-Introduced.html



	By: Estes	S.B. No. 1122


	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to a limitation on the authority to curtail groundwater
	production from wells used for power generation or mining.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Section 36.117, Water Code, is amended by adding
	Subsection (m) to read as follows:
	(m) This subsection applies to a well that produces
	groundwater directly or indirectly used to support the operation of
	a power generation facility or a mine that provides fuel to a power
	generation facility, including production for dewatering, potable
	water, and depressurization. Except as a result of a permit
	amendment requested by the permit holder, a district may not reduce
	or curtail production from a well or limit the groundwater
	production rate of a well to a rate or amount that is less than:
	(1) the maximum rate or amount of withdrawal as of
	September 1, 2014, authorized by the permit, whether the permit was
	issued by the district or the Railroad Commission of Texas; or
	(2) the maximum annual historical rate or amount of
	withdrawal recorded before September 1, 2014, if the well was in
	operation on that date and no permit from any entity was required
	for the operation of the well.
	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2015.