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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a grant program by the Texas |
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Department of Licensing and Regulation to plug abandoned and |
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deteriorating water wells. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 28, Water Code, is amended by adding |
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Subchapter F to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER F. PLUGGING ABANDONED AND DETERIORATED WATER WELLS |
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GRANT PROGRAM |
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Sec. 28.151. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "Department" means the Texas Department of |
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Licensing and Regulation. |
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(2) "District" means a district or authority created |
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under Section 52, Article III, or Section 59, Article XVI, Texas |
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Constitution, that has the authority to regulate the spacing of |
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water wells, the production of water wells, or both. |
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(3) "Fund" means the plugging abandoned and |
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deteriorated water wells fund established under Section 28.153. |
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(4) "Program" means the plugging abandoned and |
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deteriorated water wells grant program established under Section |
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28.152. |
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Sec. 28.152. PLUGGING ABANDONED AND DETERIORATED WATER |
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WELLS GRANT PROGRAM. (a) The department by rule shall develop a |
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program to provide grants for the public purpose of offsetting the |
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costs associated with plugging abandoned or deteriorated water |
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wells. |
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(b) A grant may be provided under this section only to: |
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(1) a district; or |
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(2) a landowner who plugs a well that is not located |
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within the boundaries of a district. |
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Sec. 28.153. PROGRAM FUND. (a) The plugging abandoned and |
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deteriorated water wells fund is an account in the general revenue |
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fund. |
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(b) The fund consists of money appropriated, credited, or |
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transferred to the fund by the legislature. |
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Sec. 28.154. APPLICATION; AMOUNT OF GRANT. (a) A district |
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or landowner who pays or incurs the cost of plugging an abandoned or |
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deteriorated water well may apply to the department for a |
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reimbursement grant for an amount equal to 50 percent of the costs |
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associated with plugging the water well. |
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(b) The department may approve an application for a grant |
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under this section only if the Texas Water Development Board finds |
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that the district or landowner has submitted sufficient |
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documentation to show that the district or landowner has |
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permanently plugged the abandoned or deteriorated water well in |
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accordance with this chapter and the rules and regulations of the |
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commission. |
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Sec. 28.155. APPLICATION FOR GRANT ON BEHALF OF LANDOWNER. |
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(a) A district may apply for a grant under Section 28.154 on behalf |
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of a landowner who has plugged an abandoned or deteriorated water |
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well on land that is located in the boundaries of the district. |
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(b) A district by resolution may establish rules regarding |
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the application process under this section. |
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Sec. 28.156. RULES. The department may adopt rules |
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necessary to administer the program established under this |
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subchapter, including rules regarding: |
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(1) inspection requirements; and |
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(2) administrative procedures, including procedures |
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related to the timing of a reimbursement. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |