By Walker                                             H.B. No. 1504
         77R5009 SGA-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the well permitting process of groundwater conservation
 1-3     districts.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Section 36.114, Water Code, is amended to read as
 1-6     follows:
 1-7           Sec. 36.114.  PERMIT; APPLICATION AND HEARING. The district
 1-8     shall promptly consider and act [pass] on each application for a
 1-9     permit.  If, within 20 days after the date it is submitted, an
1-10     application has not been acted [passed] on or set for a hearing on
1-11     a specific date, the applicant may petition the district court of
1-12     the county where the land is located for a writ of mandamus to
1-13     compel the district to act on the application or set a date for a
1-14     hearing on the application.  A hearing shall be held within 35 days
1-15     after the setting of the date and the district shall act on the
1-16     application within 35 days after the date of the hearing.
1-17           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-18     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-19     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-20     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-21     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.