By Walker H.B. No. 3037
Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the regulation of spacing and production of wells by
1-3 groundwater conservation districts.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 36.116, Water Code, is amended to read as
1-6 follows:
1-7 In order to minimize as far as practicable the drawdown of
1-8 the water table or the reduction of artesian pressure, to control
1-9 subsidence, to prevent interference between wells, to prevent
1-10 degradation of water quality, or to prevent waste, a district may
1-11 by rule:
1-12 (a) Regulate [provide for] the spacing of water wells [and
1-13 may regulate the production of wells] as follows:
1-14 (1) require water wells to be spaced a certain
1-15 distance from property lines or adjoining wells;
1-16 (2) require wells with a certain production capacity,
1-17 pump size, or other characteristic related to the construction or
1-18 operation of the well be spaced a certain distance from property
1-19 lines or adjoining wells; or
1-20 (3) other spacing requirements adopted by the board.
1-21 (b) Regulate the production of groundwater by limiting;
1-22 (1) total annual production;
1-23 (2) amount of water produced based on acreage or tract
2-1 size;
2-2 (3) amount of water which can be produced from a
2-3 maximum number of acres assigned by the district to an authorized
2-4 well site;
2-5 (4) maximum amount of water which can be produced from
2-6 a number of acres assigned by a district on an acre foot per acre
2-7 or gallons per minute for an authorized well site; or
2-8 (5) other production limits adopted by the district.
2-9 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
2-10 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
2-11 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
2-12 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-13 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.