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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the applicability of the general law governing |
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groundwater conservation districts to the management of brackish |
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groundwater. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 36.001, Water Code, is amended by |
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amending Subdivision (5) and adding Subdivision (30) to read as |
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follows: |
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(5) "Groundwater" means water percolating below the |
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surface of the earth. The term does not include brackish |
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groundwater. |
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(30) "Brackish groundwater" means groundwater that |
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has a salinity of more than 1,000 milligrams per liter but not more |
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than 35,000 milligrams per liter. |
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SECTION 2. Section 36.117, Water Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (l) and adding Subsection (m) to read as |
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follows: |
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(l) Except as provided by Subsection (m), this [This] |
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chapter applies to water wells, including water wells used to |
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supply water for activities related to the exploration or |
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production of hydrocarbons or minerals. This chapter does not |
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apply to production or injection wells drilled for oil, gas, |
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sulphur, uranium, or brine, or for core tests, or for injection of |
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gas, saltwater, or other fluids, under permits issued by the |
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Railroad Commission of Texas. |
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(m) This chapter does not apply to wells used to withdraw |
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brackish groundwater. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |