Amend Floor Amendment No. 51 (by Walker) to CSSB 1 at the end of the amendment by adding the following appropriately numbered section and by renumbering the subsequent sections appropriately: SECTION ____. Subchapter D, Chapter 36, Water Code, is amended by adding Section 36.122 to read as follows: Sec. 36.122. TRANSFER OF GROUNDWATER OUT OF DISTRICT. (a) A person must obtain a permit from a district to: (1) increase, on or after March 2, 1997, the amount of groundwater to be transferred under a continuing arrangement in effect before that date; or (2) transfer groundwater out of the district on or after March 2, 1997, under a new arrangement. (b) The district may impose a reasonable fee for processing an application for a permit under this section. (c) Before issuing a permit under this section, the district must give notice of the application and hold a public hearing. (d) In determining whether to issue a permit under this section, the district shall consider: (1) the need for the water in the district and in the proposed receiving area during the period for which the water supply is requested; (2) the availability of feasible and practicable alternative supplies to the applicant; (3) the amount and purposes of use in the proposed receiving area for which water is needed; (4) existing and proposed methods and efforts by the applicant to avoid waste and implement water conservation and drought contingency measures; (5) proposed methods and efforts by the applicant to put the water proposed for transfer to beneficial use; (6) the projected economic impact that is expected to occur in the district and the proposed receiving area of the transfer; and (7) the projected effect of the proposed transfer on existing instream uses, water quality, and aquatic and riparian habitat. (e) The district may limit a permit issued under this section if: (1) there is an existing or foreseeable need for the water in the district during the term of the permit; and (2) adequate alternative water supplies to the water proposed for transfer are not available in the district. (f) In addition to conditions provided by Section 36.1131, the permit shall specify: (1) the amount of water that may be transferred out of the district; and (2) the period for which the water may be transferred. (g) A permit may be issued for a term not longer than 10 years. The permit may be renewed for a term not longer than 10 years if the conditions of this section are met. (h) This section applies only to a transfer of water that is initiated or increased after the effective date of this section.