BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3115

By: Troxclair

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that local landowners, municipalities, and utilities have raised concerns about the scope of the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District's authority and that there is a need to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens on small well owners and ensure that local water resources are preserved for district residents. H.B. 3115 seeks to address these concerns by clarifying that the prohibition against the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District requiring the owner of a well used solely for domestic or livestock purposes to install a meter or measuring device on the well applies to a well that qualifies for a certain permitting exemption.

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

H.B. 3115 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to specify that a well used solely for domestic or livestock purposes on which the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District is prohibited from requiring the well owner to install a meter or measuring device is a well that is exempt from the permitting requirement for drilling or operating a well used solely for domestic use or for providing water for livestock or poultry because the well is located or to be located on a tract of land larger than 10 acres and is drilled, completed, or equipped so that it is incapable of producing more than 25,000 gallons of groundwater a day.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.