SRC-TAG H.B. 3035 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3035
78R13033 SGA-DBy: Cook, Robby (Ambrister)
Natural Resources
5/22/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE

Section 36.116 of the Texas Water Code, in part, authorizes groundwater
conservation districts (districts) to regulate, by rule, water well
spacing and production to minimize "draw-down" of the water table or the
reduction of artesian pressure, to control subsidence, to prevent
interference between wells, to prevent degradation of water quality, or to
prevent waste.  H.B. 3035 grants a groundwater conservation district the
power to regulate the spacing of water wells and the production of
groundwater. 

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.  Reenacts Section 36.116, Water Code, as amended by Chapters
966 and 1164, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Sessions, 2001, and
amends it as follows: 

(a)  Requires a  groundwater conservation district to regulate the spacing
of water wells by taking certain actions, including limiting the amount of
water produced based on contiguous acreage.   

(d)  Requires a district, in regulating the production of groundwater, to
select a method under Subsection (a)(2) that is appropriate based on the
hydrogeological conditions of the aquifer or aquifers in the district. 

SECTION 2.  Provides that to the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails
over another Act of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, relating
to nonsubstantive additions and corrections in enacted codes.  

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.