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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the authority of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence |
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District to regulate certain water wells. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 8801.152, Special District Local Laws |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 8801.152. CERTAIN GROUNDWATER USES EXEMPT. (a) The |
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permit requirements of this chapter do not apply to: |
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(1) a well regulated under Chapter 27, Water Code; |
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(2) a well with a casing diameter of less than five |
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inches that serves only a single-family dwelling; |
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(3) a well that complies with Subsection (b); and |
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(4) [(3)] any other well as provided by board rule. |
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(b) Notwithstanding any district rules applicable to a well |
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that serves only a single-family dwelling, a landowner may drill |
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and operate a well if: |
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(1) the well is located on the same property on which |
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the landowner's single-family dwelling is located; |
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(2) the well has a casing diameter of less than five |
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inches and is drilled not deeper than 150 feet; |
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(3) water from the well is used only for outdoor |
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watering of landscape plantings on the property; and |
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(4) the property served by the well has received Texas |
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Wildscapes certification from the Parks and Wildlife Department. |
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SECTION 2. Section 8801.152(b), Special District Local Laws |
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Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a well for which |
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drilling is commenced on or after the effective date of this Act. A |
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well for which drilling is commenced before the effective date of |
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this Act is subject to the law in effect on the date drilling is |
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commenced, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |