By: Guillen H.B. No. 3577
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to permits for the production of groundwater in a
  designated brackish groundwater production zone in the Brush
  Country Groundwater Conservation District.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 8852, Special District
  Local Laws Code, is amended by adding Section 8852.109 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 8852.109.  EFFECTS OF PRODUCTION FROM DESIGNATED
  BRACKISH GROUNDWATER PRODUCTION ZONE. (a)  In reviewing an
  application for proposed production of groundwater from a well
  located in a designated brackish groundwater production zone
  identified under Section 16.060(b)(5), Water Code, the district
  shall determine whether the proposed production would have a
  negative effect on:
               (1)  the availability of water in the district;
               (2)  the conditions of any aquifer that overlies the
  district;
               (3)  subsidence in the district;
               (4)  existing permit holders or other groundwater users
  in the district;
               (5)  any applicable approved regional water plan or
  certified district management plan; and
               (6)  the desired future conditions of the aquifers
  within the district and the managed available groundwater for the
  aquifers.
         (b)  If the district determines under Subsection (a) that the
  proposed production would have a negative effect, the district may
  impose on the permit requirements or limitations, in addition to
  the conditions authorized by Chapter 36, Water Code, that are
  designed to minimize the effect.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by Section 8852.109,
  Special District Local Laws Code, as added by this Act, applies only
  to an application for production from a well submitted to a
  groundwater conservation district on or after the effective date of
  this Act. An application submitted before the effective date is
  governed by the law in effect on the date the application was
  submitted, and the former law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
         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, 2019.