85R6068 DMS-D
By: Elkins H.B. No. 2127
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authority of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence
District to regulate certain water wells.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 8801.152, Special District Local Laws
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 8801.152. CERTAIN GROUNDWATER USES EXEMPT. (a) The
permit requirements of this chapter do not apply to:
(1) a well regulated under Chapter 27, Water Code;
(2) a well with a casing diameter of less than five
inches that serves only a single-family dwelling;
(3) a well that complies with Subsection (b); and
(4) [(3)] any other well as provided by board rule.
(b) Notwithstanding any district rules applicable to a well
that serves only a single-family dwelling, a landowner may drill
and operate a well if:
(1) the well is located on the same property on which
the landowner's single-family dwelling is located;
(2) the well has a casing diameter of less than five
inches and is drilled not deeper than 150 feet;
(3) water from the well is used only for outdoor
watering of landscape plantings on the property; and
(4) the property served by the well has received Texas
Wildscapes certification from the Parks and Wildlife Department.
SECTION 2. Section 8801.152(b), Special District Local Laws
Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a well for which
drilling is commenced on or after the effective date of this Act. A
well for which drilling is commenced before the effective date of
this Act is subject to the law in effect on the date drilling is
commenced, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.