BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1047
	By: Perry
	Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
	5/24/2023
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Texas Produced Water Consortium (TPWC) was created in 2021 through S.B. 601. TPWC is housed at Texas Tech University and made up of stakeholders throughout the state with the ultimate goal to find beneficial use for fluid oil and gas waste (produced water). Within its first year, TPWC released a report detailing the economics of treating produced water and recommended several next steps to deal with 250,000 acre feet per year of recoverable new water supply.

S.B. 1047 continues the consortium's work to find beneficial use for produced water in the state.

S.B. 1047 amends current law relating to funding and activities of the Texas Produced Water Consortium.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Repealer: Section 109.205(c) (relating to prohibiting the Texas Produced Water Consortium (consortium) from receiving state money except for state money appropriated to the host university for use in meeting certain requirements), Education Code.

SECTION 2. (a) Defines "consortium."

(b) Requires the consortium, not later than October 1, 2023, to select a pilot project or program for consideration and implementation.

(c) Requires the consortium, not later than October 1, 2024, to submit to the legislature a report regarding:

(1) the status of the pilot project or program selected under Subsection (b) of this section; and

(2) any suggested policy, regulatory, or legislative changes resulting from an analysis of the implementation of the pilot project or program selected under Subsection (b) of this section.

(d) Provides that the consortium is required to implement a provision of this section only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. Provides that if the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the consortium is authorized but not required to implement the provision using other money available to the consortium for that purpose.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.