Relating to the regulation of artesian water wells by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the official text

H.B. No. 4630

AN ACT

relating to the regulation of artesian water wells by the Texas

Commission on Environmental Quality.

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

SECTION 1. Sections 7.142(a) and (b), Water Code, are

amended to read as follows:

(a) A person commits an offense if the person violates:

(1) Section 11.081;

(2) Section 11.083;

(3) Section 11.084;

(4) Section 11.087;

(5) Section 11.088;

(6) Section 11.089;

(7) Section 11.090;

(8) Section 11.091;

(9) Section 11.092;

(10) Section 11.093;

(11) Section 11.094;

(12) Section 11.096; or

(13) [Section 11.203; or

[(14)] Section 11.205.

(b) An offense under Subsection (a)(9), (a)(10), or (a)(13)

[(a)(14)] is punishable under Section 7.187(a)(1)(A) or (2)(B)

[Section 7.187(1)(A) or Section 7.187(2)(B)] or both.

SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 11, Water Code, is amended

by adding Section 11.2011 to read as follows:

Sec. 11.2011. APPLICABILITY. This subchapter, other than

Sections 11.202(c) and 11.206, applies only to an artesian well

drilled outside the boundaries of a groundwater conservation

district, subsidence district, or other conservation and

reclamation district with the authority to regulate the drilling,

spacing, or production of water wells.

SECTION 3. The following provisions of the Water Code are

repealed:

(1) Sections 11.202(d) and (e);

(2) Section 11.203;

(3) Section 11.204; and

(4) Section 11.207.

SECTION 4. 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. 4630 was passed by the House on May

16, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 121, Nays 0, 2 present, not

voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 4630 was passed by the Senate on May

28, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________

Secretary of the Senate

APPROVED: _____________________

Date

_____________________

Governor