BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 691 By: Estes Natural Resources 8/2/2011 Enrolled
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 691
By: Estes
Natural Resources
8/2/2011
Enrolled
Senate Research Center
S.B. 691
By: Estes
Natural Resources
8/2/2011
Enrolled
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Groundwater districts have reported problems with individuals and attorneys interpreting Section 36.117(b), Water Code, to mean that it is necessary to meet one factor, rather than the legislative intent that all three be met. S.B. 691 provides clarification of legislative intent and protects the current agriculture exemption from manipulation and misuse. S.B. 691 amends current law relating to the exemption from permitting by groundwater conservation districts for certain water wells used for domestic, livestock, and poultry watering purposes. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 36.117(b), Water Code, as follows: (b) Prohibits a district from requiring any permit issued by the district for certain wells, including a well used solely for domestic use, or for providing water for livestock or poultry, if the well is located on a tract of land larger than 10 acres, and the well is either drilled, completed, or equipped so that it is incapable of producing more than 25,000 gallons of groundwater a day. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2011.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Groundwater districts have reported problems with individuals and attorneys interpreting Section 36.117(b), Water Code, to mean that it is necessary to meet one factor, rather than the legislative intent that all three be met. S.B. 691 provides clarification of legislative intent and protects the current agriculture exemption from manipulation and misuse.
S.B. 691 amends current law relating to the exemption from permitting by groundwater conservation districts for certain water wells used for domestic, livestock, and poultry watering purposes.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 36.117(b), Water Code, as follows:
(b) Prohibits a district from requiring any permit issued by the district for certain wells, including a well used solely for domestic use, or for providing water for livestock or poultry, if the well is located on a tract of land larger than 10 acres, and the well is either drilled, completed, or equipped so that it is incapable of producing more than 25,000 gallons of groundwater a day.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2011.