S.B. No. 616
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to aquifer storage and recovery projects that transect a
  portion of the Edwards Aquifer.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 27.051(i), Water Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (i)  For purposes of this subsection, "Edwards Aquifer" has
  the meaning assigned by Section 26.046(a).  Except as otherwise
  provided by this subsection, the commission may not authorize by
  rule or permit an injection well that transects or terminates in the
  Edwards Aquifer.  The commission by rule or permit may authorize:
               (1)  injection of groundwater withdrawn from the
  Edwards Aquifer;
               (2)  injections of storm water, flood water, or
  groundwater through improved sinkholes or caves located in karst
  topographic areas; [or]
               (3)  injections of water made in accordance with
  Section 1.44(e)(3), Chapter 626, Acts of the 73rd Legislature,
  Regular Session, 1993; or
               (4)  the injection of water into a geologic formation
  that underlies the Edwards Aquifer for an aquifer storage and
  recovery project that includes an ASR injection well, as defined
  under Section 27.151, that transects the Edwards Aquifer in:
                     (A)  the area of Williamson County east of
  Interstate Highway 35; or
                     (B)  Medina County.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than March 1, 2026, the Texas
  Commission on Environmental Quality shall adopt rules to implement
  Section 27.051(i), Water Code, as amended by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  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, 2025.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 616 passed the Senate on
  March 12, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that
  the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 12, 2025, by the
  following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 616 passed the House, with
  amendment, on May 5, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 133,
  Nays 3, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor