Bill Caption

Fiscal Notes

Bill Analysis

(The second chamber sponsor is Senator Estes.)

HB 2647, if passed, would modify the Water Code (Subchapter D, Chapter 36) by allowing groundwater conservation districts to delay groundwater pumping reductions is wells if certain conditions are met. These conditions focus on maintaining public health, safety, and welfare, and whether the wells in question are associated with certain power plants or mines.

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 2647 essentially grants groundwater conservation districts more flexibility when determining when and how groundwater pumping should be curtailed. Specifically, the bill allows owners of wells associated with power plants or mines to petition the groundwater conservation district in which they are located. This is a useful step in allowing for more flexibility and greater consideration of context when making decisions regarding water management decisions. For this reason we support HB 2647.