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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to exemptions from the requirement to obtain a permit from |
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a groundwater conservation district for certain groundwater wells. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 36.117(b), Water Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) Except as provided by this section, a district shall |
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provide an exemption from the district requirement to obtain a |
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permit for: |
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(1) drilling or operating a well used solely for |
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domestic use or for providing water for livestock or poultry if the |
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well is: |
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(A) located or to be located on a tract of land |
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larger than 100 [10] acres; and |
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(B) drilled, completed, or equipped so that it is |
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incapable of producing more than 25,000 gallons of groundwater a |
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day; |
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(2) drilling a water well used solely to supply water |
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for a rig that is actively engaged in drilling or exploration |
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operations for an oil or gas well permitted by the Railroad |
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Commission of Texas provided that the person holding the permit is |
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responsible for drilling and operating the water well and the water |
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well is located on the same lease or field associated with the |
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drilling rig; |
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(3) drilling a water well authorized under a permit |
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issued by the Railroad Commission of Texas under Chapter 134, |
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Natural Resources Code, or for production from the well to the |
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extent the withdrawals are required for mining activities |
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regardless of any subsequent use of the water; [or] |
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(4) drilling a water well for temporary use to supply |
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water for a rig that is actively engaged in drilling a groundwater |
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production well permitted by the district; or |
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(5) drilling or operating a well that is located or to |
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be located on a tract of land of 100 acres or less in size and |
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drilled, completed, or equipped so that it is incapable of |
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producing more than 10,000 gallons of groundwater a day. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |