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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the reporting and plugging of certain wells. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Water Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 28.013 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 28.013. REPORTING AND PLUGGING OF CERTAIN WELLS; GRANT |
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PROGRAM. (a) The commission by rule shall develop: |
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(1) a process through which a landowner may report to |
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the commission the presence on the landowner's land of a well that: |
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(A) was originally drilled or operated as an oil |
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or gas well under a permit issued by the Railroad Commission of |
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Texas and subsequently was conveyed to the landowner for use as a |
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water well; and |
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(B) has not been plugged properly or otherwise |
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poses a threat to groundwater or surface water; and |
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(2) a program to provide grants to landowners or |
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governmental entities for the plugging of wells reported through |
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the process developed under Subdivision (1). |
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(b) Rules implementing the grant program described by |
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Subsection (a)(2) must require that: |
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(1) the award of grants be based on an actual or |
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probable threat to groundwater or surface water posed by a well |
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reported under Subsection (a)(1); and |
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(2) the plugging of the well be performed by: |
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(A) a well plugger approved by the Railroad |
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Commission of Texas; or |
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(B) the Railroad Commission of Texas. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |