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AN ACT
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relating to the inspection of the location of a proposed Class I |
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injection well. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 27.016, Water Code, is amended to read as |
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follows: |
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Sec. 27.016. INSPECTION OF WELL LOCATION. (a) On receiving |
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an application for a permit, the executive director shall: |
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(1) have an inspection made of the location of the |
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proposed disposal well to determine the local conditions and the |
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probable effect of the well; and |
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(2) [shall] determine the requirements for the setting |
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of casing, as provided in Sections 27.051, 27.055, and 27.056 [of |
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this code]. |
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(b) For a proposed Class I injection well, the executive |
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director may satisfy the requirements of Subsection (a) by |
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accepting an inspection report prepared by an engineer or |
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geoscientist licensed in this state. The report must: |
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(1) confirm that the engineer or geoscientist |
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inspected the location of the proposed injection well to determine |
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the local conditions and the probable effect of the well; and |
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(2) state the engineer's or geoscientist's |
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determination regarding the requirements for the setting of casing |
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as required by Subsection (a)(2). |
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(c) An engineer or geoscientist may conduct an inspection |
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under Subsection (b)(1): |
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(1) in person at the location of the proposed |
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injection well; or |
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(2) virtually through: |
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(A) satellite or other aerial imagery; |
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(B) mapping software; or |
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(C) other appropriate information sources. |
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(d) The executive director may require an engineer or |
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geoscientist that submits a virtual inspection described by |
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Subsection (c)(2) to conduct an additional in-person inspection if |
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the initial visual inspection reveals an issue the executive |
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director determines merits an in-person inspection. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to a permit application filed with the Texas Commission on |
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Environmental Quality on or after the effective date of this Act. A |
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permit application filed before the effective date of this Act is |
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subject to the law in effect on the date the application is filed, |
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and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 1238 was passed by the House on April |
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25, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 122, Nays 6, 1 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 1238 was passed by the Senate on May |
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14, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |