84R22074 SLB-D
By: Lucio III H.B. No. 1232
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1232:
By: Larson C.S.H.B. No. 1232
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board of the
hydrology and geology of the confined and unconfined aquifers in
this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) The Texas Water Development Board shall
conduct a study of the hydrology and geology of the confined and
unconfined aquifers in this state to determine:
(1) the quality and quantity of groundwater in those
aquifers, specifically regarding the salinity of those aquifers;
(2) whether those aquifers are tributary or
non-tributary;
(3) the contribution of those aquifers to any surface
flow of any water in this state;
(4) the contribution of those aquifers to any other
aquifer in this state; and
(5) the suitability of those aquifers for the disposal
of concentrate from desalination facilities through the use of
injection wells.
(b) In conducting the study, the board shall produce:
(1) a map that identifies the area and water quality of
the confined and unconfined aquifers in this state;
(2) a map that identifies which aquifers are tributary
and which are non-tributary;
(3) a report on the contribution of those aquifers to
any other aquifer in this state; and
(4) a report on the suitability of those aquifers for
the disposal of concentrate from desalination facilities through
the use of injection wells.
(c) Before conducting the study, the board shall determine:
(1) the minimum rate at which an aquifer must
contribute to another aquifer in this state or to the surface flow
of any water in this state in order to be included in the study; and
(2) the definition of "suitability" for the purposes
of Subsection (a)(5) of this section.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 31, 2016, the Texas Water
Development Board shall report the results of the study conducted
under this Act to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house
of representatives, and the standing committees of the senate and
the house of representatives that have jurisdiction over natural
resources.
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, 2015.