The Wise Report
The State Legislature is now out of session. Bills that have been passed and are awaiting the Governor’s decision are listed below, along with their current status. New information is listed in bold (3 signed by the Governor and 1 becomes effective without his signature). All will take effect on 9/1/2019):
HB 720, by Larson and Guillen, Relating to appropriations of water for use in aquifer storage and recovery projects. Sent to the Governor, 5/26/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB720
HB 721, by Larson, Relating to the duty of the Texas Water Development Board to conduct studies of and prepare and submit reports on aquifer storage and recovery. Sent to the Governor, 5/29/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB721
HB 722, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. Sent to the Governor, 5/29/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB722
HB 723, by Larson, Perry, similar to SB 724, Relating to a requirement that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality obtain or develop updated water availability models for certain river basins. Signed by the Governor, effective on 9/1/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB723
HB 807, by Larson, Relating to the state and regional water planning process. Sent to the Governor 5/24/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB807
HB 907, by Huberty, identical to SB 2123, Relating to the penalty for failure to register certain aggregate production operations with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Fines will double. Sent to the Governor, 5/29/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB907
HB 1311, by Senfronia Thompson, Flynn, Lambert, Paddie, Nevarez, Watson, identical to SB 609, Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists. Filed without the Governor’s signature, effective on 9/1/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB1311
HB 2203, by Miller, Zerwas, Reynolds, Stephenson, identical to SB 1885, Relating to notice of a radioactive substance release. “Notwithstanding Subchapter H, Chapter 418, Government Code, or any other law requiring confidentiality, a person who accidentally other law requiring confidentiality, a person who accidentally which the substance was released.” Signed by the Governor, effective on 9/1/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB2203
HB 2771, by Lozano, Guillen, identical to SB 1585, Relating to the authority of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to issue permits for the discharge into water of this state of produced water, hydrostatic test water, and gas plant effluent resulting from certain oil and gas activities. Sent to the Governor, 5/29/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB2771
HB 3815, by Morrison, duplicate of HB 3839, identical to SB 1220, Relating to requiring notices of property located in floodplains, flood pools, or reservoirs to be provided by sellers of real property and on subdivision plats. Sent to the Governor, 5/26/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB3815
SB 483, by Campbell, identical to HB 1044, Relating to permits for certain injection wells that transect a portion of the Edwards Aquifer. Sent to the Governor 5/26/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=SB483
SB 520, by Campbell and Zaffirini, identical to HB 481, Relating to the storage and recovery of water in a portion of the Edwards Aquifer. Sent to the Governor 5/26/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=SB520
SB 1041, by Taylor, Larson, identical to HB 1617, Relating to the deadline by which the Texas Water Development Board is required to identify and designate brackish groundwater production zones for certain areas of the state. The new date is 12/1/2032. Signed by the Governor, effective 9/1/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=SB1041