Bill: HB 3991, 85(R) - 2017

Committee

House Natural Resources

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral

Author(s)

Lyle Larson

Bill Caption

Relating to appropriations of water for use in aquifer storage and recovery projects.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 3991 would authorize an aquifer storage and recovery project to involve the use of water derived from multiple sources, authorize a right or amendment to be for water that is not continuously available, and to authorize the diversion and use of excess flows that would otherwise flow into the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality would be required to consider certain factors before approving a new appropriation in the Rio Grande basin for a storage and recovery project.

This bill would also allow a permit holder for a water storage reservoir that is a part of a storage and recovery project to file for an amended right to change the use or purpose if the reservoir has not yet been constructed. Such amended rights would be exempt from hearing requirements if the application does not increase the water use or change the point of diversion.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Given the procedural nature of this bill, HB 3991 neither uplifts nor offends our liberty principles, therefore we remain neutral.

Organizations Supporting

City of Corpus Christi
Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club
National Wildlife Federation
Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District
San Antonio Water System
Texas Association of Business
Texas Business Leadership Council
Texas Farm Bureau
Texas Water Infrastructure Network

Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 05:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/85r/hb3991?print_view=true