SRC-TJG H.B. 2951 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2951 By: Hope (Staples) Administration 5/23/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code allows a groundwater conservation district to regulate the production of groundwater located within its boundaries. Many groundwater conservation districts in Texas have multiple aquifers or subdivisions of aquifers that are situated within the districts' boundaries which contain different and unique hydrogeological features. Other districts may contain a singular aquifer with widely differing characteristics from one side of the district to the other, such as a situation where one side of the district is located in an urban area with a high degree of groundwater production and experiencing land subsidence, while other areas of the district are more rural and have no significant groundwater usage and no land subsidence. H.B. 2951 clarifies that groundwater conservation districts may adopt different well spacing or production limitations for distinct aquifers or subdivisions of aquifers within their boundaries, or for different geographic areas that exist within their boundaries if conditions in or use of an aquifer differ substantially from one geographic area of the district to another. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 36.116, Water Code, by adding Subsection (d) to authorize the district, for better management of the groundwater resources located in a district or if a district determines that conditions in or use of an aquifer differ substantially from one geographic area of a district to another, to adopt different rules for each aquifer, subdivision of an aquifer, or geological stratum located in whole or in part within the boundaries of the district or each geographical area overlying an aquifer or subdivision of an aquifer located in whole or in part within the boundaries of the district. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.