85S10523 SLB-F
 
  By: Larson, Workman H.B. No. 277
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the duty of the Texas Water Development Board to conduct
  studies of and prepare and submit reports on aquifer storage and
  recovery.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 11.155, Water Code, is amended to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 11.155.  AQUIFER STORAGE AND RECOVERY REPORTS.  (a) The
  board shall make studies, investigations, and surveys of the
  aquifers in the state as it considers necessary to determine the
  occurrence, quantity, quality, and availability of aquifers in
  which water may be stored and subsequently retrieved for beneficial
  use. 
         (b)  The board, working with appropriate interested persons,
  including groundwater conservation districts, regional water
  planning groups, and potential sponsors of aquifer storage and
  recovery projects, shall:
               (1)  conduct studies of aquifer storage and recovery
  projects identified in the state water plan or by interested
  persons; and
               (2)  report the results of each study conducted under
  Subdivision (1) to regional water planning groups and interested
  persons.
         (c)  This subsection expires January 1, 2019.  The board
  shall:
               (1)  conduct a statewide survey of the most favorable
  areas for aquifer storage and recovery;
               (2)  prepare a report that includes an overview of the
  survey conducted under Subdivision (1); and
               (3)  not later than December 15, 2018, submit the
  report described by Subdivision (2) to the governor, lieutenant
  governor, and speaker of the house of representatives. [The board
  shall undertake the studies, investigations, and surveys in the
  following order of priority:
               [(1)     areas designated by the commission as "priority
  groundwater management areas" under Section 35.008; and
               [(2)     other areas of the state in a priority to be
  determined by the board's ranking of where the greatest need
  exists.]
         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 December 1, 2017.