By Janek H.B. No. 2521
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the authority of the Harris-Galveston Coastal
1-3 Subsidence District to require the discontinuance of groundwater
1-4 use.
1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-6 SECTION 1. Chapter 151, Subchapter D, Section 151.129,
1-7 Subsection (a), Texas Water Code, is amended to read as follows:
1-8 (a) The board may not issue an order requiring a person to
1-9 completely or partially discontinue the use of groundwater unless
1-10 the person is able to acquire a water supply that is composed of
1-11 surface water needed to replace the water supply covered by the
1-12 order<.> and the economic cost of converting to the surface water
1-13 supply is clearly outweighed by the beneficial effect on subsidence
1-14 measurably resulting from such order. This section does not limit
1-15 the board's authority to issue orders and rules requiring a person
1-16 to reduce groundwater use by eliminating waste or implementing
1-17 water conservation.
1-18 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the
1-19 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-20 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-21 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-22 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
1-23 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
2-1 passage, and it is so enacted.