Texas House Bill HB898

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to the confidentiality of certain water well reports.

Note

Ultimately, HB 898 reflects a balancing act between the rights of private well owners and the state's responsibilities in managing water resources tactfully and transparently.

Impact

The implementation of HB 898 is likely to have a substantial impact on how water well data is managed and disclosed in Texas. By providing this confidentiality provision, the bill aims to alleviate concerns of private well owners regarding public access to sensitive operational information. This shift may encourage more reporting compliance, as owners may feel more secure in submitting their reports knowing that their data will not be revealed broadly and can only be summarized to protect their identity. Furthermore, this bill reinforces the distinction between private and public entities in terms of data confidentiality, which could lead to changes in how public water entities manage their data as well.

Summary

House Bill 898 focuses on the confidentiality of water well reports in Texas, amending the Water Code to allow owners or operators of private water wells to request that their groundwater withdrawal reports be treated as confidential. This is significant as it provides a pathway for private well owners to protect their operational data from being publicly disclosed. Under this amendment, if a confidentiality request is made, the district can only release summarized information that does not identify individual well owners or their properties, thus enhancing privacy protections for private well operators.

Contention

While the bill provides benefits in protecting private interests, it could raise concerns about broader water management goals and transparency efforts within the conservation districts. Critics may argue that increased confidentiality could hinder efforts to monitor water usage effectively and address potential over-extraction issues. The lack of public access to detailed water withdrawal data may complicate state-level planning and resource allocation efforts, as it limits the available information that regulation agencies might need to address water sustainability in the face of increasing demand.