78R10492 RCJ-D

By:  Staples                                                      S.B. No. 1900



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to permit requirements for groundwater transfers out of 
Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 5(b), Chapter 1387, Acts of the 77th 
Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  The district by rule may require a person to obtain a 
permit from the district for the transfer of groundwater out of the 
district consistent with Section 36.122, Water Code.  [The district 
may determine that a transfer of groundwater produced within the 
district's boundaries for use outside the district's boundaries 
will not be considered a transfer outside the district if:
		[(1)  the transfer is for use as a potable water supply 
by a retail public utility as defined by Section 13.002, Water Code, 
and is within an authorized service area of which an appropriate 
portion, as determined by the district, is located inside the 
district's boundaries; or
		[(2)  the transfer involves an emergency potable water 
interconnect between retail public utilities, as defined by Section 
13.002, Water Code.]
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.