BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1746
88R5740 SCP-F	By: Perry
	Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
	3/30/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

There have been some instances of frustrated landowners when getting approval for a temporary well permit. Some districts have taken a long time to approve the permits requiring landowners to haul water in to drill their production well. 

S.B. 1746 allows a temporary well that is to be used for water supply for a rig engaged in drilling a production well to be exempted from permitting at a groundwater conservation district.

As proposed, S.B. 1746 amends current law relating to an exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit from a groundwater conservation district for certain temporary water wells.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 36.117(b) and (d), Water Code, as follows:

(b) Requires a groundwater conservation district (district), except as provided by Section 36.117 (Exemptions; Exception; Limitations), to provide an exemption from the district requirement to obtain a permit for:

(1) makes no changes to this subdivision;

(2)-(3) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions; or

(4) 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.

(d) Authorizes a district to cancel a previously granted exemption and to require an operating permit for or restrict production from a well and assess any appropriate fees if:

(1) makes no changes to this subdivision;

(2)-(3) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions; or

(4) the groundwater withdrawals that were exempted under Subsection (b)(4) 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.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023. �