Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2506 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	89R9159 ANG-D
2	2	By: Hinojosa of Nueces S.B. No. 2506
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7	7	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
8	8	AN ACT
9	9	relating to the establishment of a grant program by the Texas
10	10	Department of Licensing and Regulation to plug abandoned and
11	11	deteriorating water wells.
12	12	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
13	13	SECTION 1. Chapter 28, Water Code, is amended by adding
14	14	Subchapter F to read as follows:
15	15	SUBCHAPTER F. PLUGGING ABANDONED AND DETERIORATED WATER WELLS
16	16	GRANT PROGRAM
17	17	Sec. 28.151. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
18	18	(1) "Department" means the Texas Department of
19	19	Licensing and Regulation.
20	20	(2) "District" means a district or authority created
21	21	under Section 52, Article III, or Section 59, Article XVI, Texas
22	22	Constitution, that has the authority to regulate the spacing of
23	23	water wells, the production of water wells, or both.
24	24	(3) "Fund" means the plugging abandoned and
25	25	deteriorated water wells fund established under Section 28.153.
26	26	(4) "Program" means the plugging abandoned and
27	27	deteriorated water wells grant program established under Section
28	28	28.152.
29	29	Sec. 28.152. PLUGGING ABANDONED AND DETERIORATED WATER
30	30	WELLS GRANT PROGRAM. (a) The department by rule shall develop a
31	31	program to provide grants for the public purpose of offsetting the
32	32	costs associated with plugging abandoned or deteriorated water
33	33	wells.
34	34	(b) A grant may be provided under this section only to:
35	35	(1) a district; or
36	36	(2) a landowner who plugs a well that is not located
37	37	within the boundaries of a district.
38	38	Sec. 28.153. PROGRAM FUND. (a) The plugging abandoned and
39	39	deteriorated water wells fund is an account in the general revenue
40	40	fund.
41	41	(b) The fund consists of money appropriated, credited, or
42	42	transferred to the fund by the legislature.
43	43	Sec. 28.154. APPLICATION; AMOUNT OF GRANT. (a) A district
44	44	or landowner who pays or incurs the cost of plugging an abandoned or
45	45	deteriorated water well may apply to the department for a
46	46	reimbursement grant for an amount equal to 50 percent of the costs
47	47	associated with plugging the water well.
48	48	(b) The department may approve an application for a grant
49	49	under this section only if the Texas Water Development Board finds
50	50	that the district or landowner has submitted sufficient
51	51	documentation to show that the district or landowner has
52	52	permanently plugged the abandoned or deteriorated water well in
53	53	accordance with this chapter and the rules and regulations of the
54	54	commission.
55	55	Sec. 28.155. APPLICATION FOR GRANT ON BEHALF OF LANDOWNER.
56	56	(a) A district may apply for a grant under Section 28.154 on behalf
57	57	of a landowner who has plugged an abandoned or deteriorated water
58	58	well on land that is located in the boundaries of the district.
59	59	(b) A district by resolution may establish rules regarding
60	60	the application process under this section.
61	61	Sec. 28.156. RULES. The department may adopt rules
62	62	necessary to administer the program established under this
63	63	subchapter, including rules regarding:
64	64	(1) inspection requirements; and
65	65	(2) administrative procedures, including procedures
66	66	related to the timing of a reimbursement.
67	67	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.