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.