By: Estes S.B. No. 691
(King of Zavala)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the exemption from permitting by groundwater
conservation districts for certain water wells used for domestic,
livestock, and poultry watering purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subsection (b), Section 36.117, Water Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) A district may not require any permit issued by the
district for:
(1) a well used solely for domestic use, or for
providing water for livestock or poultry, if the well is:
(A) located on a tract of land larger than 10
acres; and
(B) [that is] either drilled, completed, or
equipped so that it is incapable of producing more than 25,000
gallons of groundwater a day;
(2) the drilling of a water well used solely to supply
water for a rig that is actively engaged in drilling or exploration
operations for an oil or gas well permitted by the Railroad
Commission of Texas provided that the person holding the permit is
responsible for drilling and operating the water well and the well
is located on the same lease or field associated with the drilling
rig; or
(3) the drilling of a water well authorized under a
permit issued by the Railroad Commission of Texas under Chapter
134, Natural Resources Code, or for production from such a well to
the extent the withdrawals are required for mining activities
regardless of any subsequent use of the water.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.