89S20731 SCR-D     By: Nichols S.B. No. 50       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a groundwater study of certain aquifers underlying the   territory of the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater   Conservation District by the Texas Water Development Board before   the issuance of permits or permit amendments by the district.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 8863, Special District   Local Laws Code, is amended by adding Section 8863.106 to read as   follows:          Sec. 8863.106.  STUDY; PERMIT MORATORIUM. (a) The Texas   Water Development Board shall conduct a study to:                (1)  analyze the annual maximum amount of groundwater   that can be produced in perpetuity in the district from the   aquifers underlying the district's territory without impeding the   achievement of the desired future conditions adopted for those   aquifers that are applicable to the territory of the district;                (2)  compare the results of the analyses conducted   under Subdivision (1) to the amount of modeled available   groundwater determined by the executive administrator of the Texas   Water Development Board before September 1, 2025, for each aquifer;   and                (3)  assess the hydrological effects in the district of   proposed groundwater production in the district as represented in   the applicable desired future conditions, and of transfers of   produced groundwater to areas outside of the district proposed in   any pending applications for a permit or permit amendment from the   district, and compare those effects with the hydrological effects   that would be expected if groundwater production in the district   were limited annually to the amount that could be produced in   perpetuity as determined under Subdivision (1).          (b)  The hydrological effects assessed under Subsection   (a)(3) must include effects on average annual recharge, inflows,   discharges, spring flows, capture, and interaction between   groundwater and surface water in the district.          (c)  Not later than January 12, 2027, the Texas Water   Development Board shall prepare and submit to the governor, the   lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,   and each standing legislative committee with primary jurisdiction   over groundwater a report on the results of the study conducted   under this section.          (d)  The district may not issue a new permit or permit   amendment to an applicant for the production and transfer out of the   district of groundwater until after the 270th day after the   deadline for the submission of the report required by Subsection   (c).          (e)  This section expires November 1, 2027.          SECTION 2.  Section 8863.106(d), Special District Local Laws   Code, as added by this Act, does not apply to a permit or a permit   amendment issued by the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater   Conservation District before the effective date of this Act.          SECTION 3.  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 on the 91st day after the last day of the   legislative session.