79R6796 RMB-F
By: Callegari H.B. No. 1518
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to exempting interbasin transfers of water rights within
certain regional water planning areas from certain priority
requirements.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 11.085, Water Code, is amended by adding
Subsection (w) to read as follows:
(w) Subsections (s) and (t) do not apply to a proposed
transfer between river basins that are located wholly or partly
within a single regional water planning area designated in
accordance with Section 16.053 if the regional water planning area
contains within its boundaries:
(1) one or more classes of groundwater users that are
subject to a regulatory requirement to reduce groundwater usage due
wholly or partly to land subsidence, either at the time of the
proposed transfer or at a later specified date;
(2) all or part of a county with a population of more
than 3.3 million; and
(3) all or part of at least three river basins.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by Section 11.085(w),
Water Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a proposed
interbasin transfer of water to which that section applies, the
application for a permit for which is:
(1) submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality on or after the effective date of this Act; or
(2) pending before the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality on the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. 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, 2005.