Texas House Bill HB2122

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to regulation of the production of retail public utility wells by a groundwater conservation district.

Impact

This bill primarily impacts how groundwater resources are managed within Texas, particularly in relation to public utilities. By allowing utilities to petition for production based on an understanding of both their owned and served land, it aims to improve efficiency in water usage and resource allocation. The amendments to the Water Code may lead to more streamlined processes in how permits are handled, thereby potentially reducing delays in water delivery during critical times.

Summary

House Bill 2122 seeks to regulate the production of retail public utility wells through amendments to the Texas Water Code. The bill establishes a framework for groundwater conservation districts to manage well production, particularly concerning how retail public utilities can access groundwater. It modifies existing provisions to define clear guidelines for how production authorization can be determined, ensuring that utilities can request permission to produce groundwater based on the land owned or leased by them, as well as the acreage served by them.

Contention

Although HB2122 is positioned to provide practical regulations, there are inherent points of contention surrounding the bill. Critics may argue that by allowing retail public utilities greater authority to produce groundwater, it risks oversaturating the areas served by these utilities. This has implications for smaller landowners and local communities who rely on equitable access to these resources. Discussions surrounding this bill could also invoke broader concerns regarding the overarching control of groundwater resources by larger utility companies versus local governance and conservation efforts.