By: Hagenbuch S.B. No. 1959

(In the Senate - Filed March 5, 2025; March 17, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs; April 29, 2025, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; April 29, 2025, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1959 By: Hancock

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the authority of the North Texas Groundwater Conservation District to consider certain factors before granting or denying a permit.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 8856, Special District Local Laws Code, is amended by adding Section 8856.1055 to read as follows:

Sec. 8856.1055. PERMIT CONSIDERATIONS; PONDS AND LAKES. Before granting or denying a permit or a permit amendment issued in accordance with Section 36.1146, Water Code, the district shall consider whether the proposed use of water from the well is wholly or partly to provide water to a pond or lake to enhance the appearance of the landscape.

SECTION 2. Section 8856.1055, Special District Local Laws Code, as added by this Act, applies only to an application for a permit or permit amendment submitted on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

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