|
House Bill 722 |
House Author: Larson |
|
Effective: 9-1-19 |
Senate Sponsor: Perry |
House Bill 722 amends the Water Code to authorize a groundwater conservation district located over any part of a designated brackish groundwater production zone to adopt rules to govern the issuance of permits for the completion and operation of a well for the withdrawal of brackish groundwater from a designated brackish groundwater production zone. The bill requires such a district to adopt such rules if the district receives a petition from a person with a legally defined interest in groundwater in the district. The rules apply only to a permit for a project that is a municipal project designed to treat brackish groundwater to drinking water standards for the purpose of providing a public source of drinking water or for a project that is an electric generation project to treat brackish groundwater to water quality standards sufficient for the project needs. The bill prohibits a district from adopting rules limiting access to the production of groundwater within a designated brackish groundwater production zone to only those projects.
House Bill 722 sets out requirements for rules adopted under the bill's provisions, required contents for an application for a brackish groundwater production zone operating permit, and an application and permitting process that involves the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). Implementation of a provision of this bill by the TWDB is mandatory only if a specific appropriation is made for that purpose.