Relating to the criteria considered by groundwater conservation districts before granting or denying a permit or permit amendment, the official text

H.B. No. 1633

AN ACT

relating to the criteria considered by groundwater conservation

districts before granting or denying a permit or permit amendment.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 36.113(d), Water Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(d) This subsection does not apply to the renewal of an

operating permit issued under Section 36.1145. Before granting or

denying a permit, or a permit amendment issued in accordance with

Section 36.1146, the district shall consider whether:

(1) the application conforms to the requirements

prescribed by this chapter and is accompanied by the prescribed

fees;

(2) the proposed use of water unreasonably affects:

(A) existing groundwater and surface water

resources; [or]

(B) existing permit holders; or

(C) wells that are registered with the district

and exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit under this

chapter or district rules;

(3) the proposed use of water is dedicated to any

beneficial use;

(4) the proposed use of water is consistent with the

district's approved management plan;

(5) if the well will be located in the Hill Country

Priority Groundwater Management Area, the proposed use of water

from the well is wholly or partly to provide water to a pond, lake,

or reservoir to enhance the appearance of the landscape;

(6) the applicant has agreed to avoid waste and

achieve water conservation; and

(7) the applicant has agreed that reasonable diligence

will be used to protect groundwater quality and that the applicant

will follow well plugging guidelines at the time of well closure.

SECTION 2. 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, 2025.

______________________________
______________________________

President of the Senate
Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 1633 was passed by the House on April

24, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 0, 2 present, not

voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 1633 was passed by the Senate on May

25, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________

Secretary of the Senate

APPROVED: _____________________

Date

_____________________

Governor