BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1746 88R5740 SCP-F By: Perry Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs 3/30/2023 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT There have been some instances of frustrated landowners when getting approval for a temporary well permit. Some districts have taken a long time to approve the permits requiring landowners to haul water in to drill their production well. S.B. 1746 allows a temporary well that is to be used for water supply for a rig engaged in drilling a production well to be exempted from permitting at a groundwater conservation district. As proposed, S.B. 1746 amends current law relating to an exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit from a groundwater conservation district for certain temporary water wells. 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 Sections 36.117(b) and (d), Water Code, as follows: (b) Requires a groundwater conservation district (district), except as provided by Section 36.117 (Exemptions; Exception; Limitations), to provide an exemption from the district requirement to obtain a permit for: (1) makes no changes to this subdivision; (2)-(3) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions; or (4) drilling a water well for temporary use to supply water for a rig that is actively engaged in drilling a groundwater production well permitted by the district. (d) Authorizes a district to cancel a previously granted exemption and to require an operating permit for or restrict production from a well and assess any appropriate fees if: (1) makes no changes to this subdivision; (2)-(3) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions; or (4) the groundwater withdrawals that were exempted under Subsection (b)(4) are no longer used solely to supply water for a rig that is actively engaged in drilling a groundwater production well permitted by the district. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1746
88R5740 SCP-F By: Perry
Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
3/30/2023
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1746
88R5740 SCP-F
By: Perry
Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
3/30/2023
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
There have been some instances of frustrated landowners when getting approval for a temporary well permit. Some districts have taken a long time to approve the permits requiring landowners to haul water in to drill their production well.
S.B. 1746 allows a temporary well that is to be used for water supply for a rig engaged in drilling a production well to be exempted from permitting at a groundwater conservation district.
As proposed, S.B. 1746 amends current law relating to an exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit from a groundwater conservation district for certain temporary water wells.
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 Sections 36.117(b) and (d), Water Code, as follows:
(b) Requires a groundwater conservation district (district), except as provided by Section 36.117 (Exemptions; Exception; Limitations), to provide an exemption from the district requirement to obtain a permit for:
(1) makes no changes to this subdivision;
(2)-(3) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions; or
(4) drilling a water well for temporary use to supply water for a rig that is actively engaged in drilling a groundwater production well permitted by the district.
(d) Authorizes a district to cancel a previously granted exemption and to require an operating permit for or restrict production from a well and assess any appropriate fees if:
(1) makes no changes to this subdivision;
(2)-(3) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions; or
(4) the groundwater withdrawals that were exempted under Subsection (b)(4) are no longer used solely to supply water for a rig that is actively engaged in drilling a groundwater production well permitted by the district.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.