Relating to the use of certain groundwater export fees collected by a groundwater conservation district, the official text

H.B. No. 1689

AN ACT

relating to the use of certain groundwater export fees collected by

a groundwater conservation district.

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

SECTION 1. Section 36.207, Water Code, is amended by

amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as

follows:

(b) A district may use funds obtained from the amount that

an export fee is increased under Section 36.122(e-1) on or after

January 1, 2024, only for costs related to assessing and addressing

impacts associated with groundwater development, including:

(1) maintaining operability of wells significantly

affected by groundwater development, including wells located

outside the district;

(2) developing or distributing alternative water

supplies; and

(3) conducting aquifer monitoring, data collection,

and aquifer science.

(c) A district may use funds described by Subsection (b) to

maintain the operability of wells described by Subsection (b)(1)

that are located in another district only if the district enters

into an interlocal contract under Chapter 791, Government Code,

with the other district authorizing the funds to be used for that

purpose.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

______________________________
______________________________

President of the Senate
Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 1689 was passed by the House on April

24, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, 2 present, not

voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 1689 was passed by the Senate on May

14, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________

Secretary of the Senate

APPROVED: _____________________

Date

_____________________

Governor