BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1746

By: Perry

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Some landowners have expressed frustration over the approval process for a temporary well permit. Some groundwater conservation districts have taken a long time to approve such permits, requiring landowners to haul water in to drill a groundwater production well. S.B. 1746 seeks to provide for an exemption from groundwater conservation district permitting requirements for a temporary well that is to be used to supply water for a rig engaged in drilling a groundwater production well.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 1746 amends the Water Code to require a groundwater conservation district to provide an exemption from the district requirement to obtain a permit for drilling a water well for temporary use to supply water for a rig that is actively engaged in drilling a groundwater production well permitted by the district. An exemption for such a water well may not exceed 180 days, except that a district may grant an extension of the exemption until the well is complete. The bill authorizes a district to cancel a previously granted exemption and require an operating permit for or restrict production from a well and assess any appropriate fees if the groundwater withdrawals that were exempted as provided by the bill are no longer used solely to supply water for a rig that is actively engaged in drilling a groundwater production well permitted by the district.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.