TITLE: Relating to reporting requirements regarding groundwater withdrawals for water wells.

SUMMARY: Relating to reporting requirements regarding groundwater withdrawals for water wells.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to reporting requirements regarding groundwater withdrawals for water wells. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 36, Water Code, is amended by adding Section 36.1171 to read as follows: Sec. 36.1171. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR GROUNDWATER WITHDRAWALS. (a) The Texas Water Development Board shall work with groundwater conservation districts to adopt rules that require all owners or operators of a well, including a well exempt from other permitting under Section 36.117, to report groundwater withdrawals under using reasonable and appropriate reporting methods and frequency. Groundwater withdrawals shall be reported annually to the groundwater conservation district where the well is located, and if no groundwater conservation district is established, users shall report withdrawals directly to the Texas Water Development Board. (b) If a district by rule requires reporting of groundwater withdrawals under Section 36.111, the district rules must be consistent with the Texas Water Development Board rules adopted under Subsection (a). SECTION 2. The first report due under Section 36.1171, Water Code, as added by this Act, is due on March 31, 2015, for the period covering calendar year 2014. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.