TWCA Annual Convention 2019

1. Legislative Update:
Surface Water and Groundwater
Presented by
Brian L. Sledge, SledgeLaw Group PLLC
Texas Water Conservation Association
Annual Convention
March 2019

2. DISCLAIMERS

3. SURFACE WATER AND PLANNING:
• HB 807 by Larson: Relating to the state and
regional water planning process.
• HB 723 by Larson and SB 724 by Perry: Relating
to a requirement that the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality obtain or develop updated
water availability models for certain river basins

4. SURFACE WATER AND PLANNING:
• HB 724 by Larson / SB 1836 by Alvarado: Relating to the
authorization by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
of the discharge, diversion, and transfer or other reuse of treated
brackish groundwater and return flows derived from treated
brackish groundwater.
• HB 2663 by Nevarez / SB 407 by Birdwell: Relating to the
presiding officers of the boards of directors of river authorities.

5. SURFACE WATER AND PLANNING:
• HB 2021 by Metcalf: Relating to approval by voters prior to the
issuance of revenue bonds by river authorities.
• HB 3998 by Wilson: Relating to the transfer of the administration
of surface water rights permitting from the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality to the Texas Water Development Board
and the regulation of groundwater.

6. Groundwater:
• HB 722 by Larson: Relating to the development of brackish
groundwater.
• 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.
• HB 726 by Larson: Relating to the regulation of groundwater.

7. Groundwater:
• HB 1066 by Ashby / SB 800 by Perry: Relating to extensions of
an expired permit for the transfer of groundwater from a
groundwater conservation district.
• HB 1311 by S. Thompson / SB 609 by Watson: Relating to the
continuation and functions of the Texas Board of Professional
Geoscientists.

8. Groundwater:
• HB 2123 by Harris / SB 2026 by Perry: Relating to regulation of
the production of retail public utility wells by a groundwater
conservation district.
• HB 2249 by Lucio III: Relating to regulation of production of
wells for retail public utilities by a groundwater conservation
district.

9. Groundwater:
• HB 2125 by Burns: Relating to the award of attorney's fees and
other costs in certain suits involving a groundwater conservation
district.
• SB 851 by Perry: Relating to the award of attorney's fees and
other costs in certain proceedings involving a groundwater
conservation district.

10. Groundwater:
• SB 1010 by Perry: Relating to rules adopted by groundwater
conservation districts overlying a common aquifer.
• HB 2123 by Harris: Relating to authorizing petitions to
change certain rules adopted by groundwater conservation
districts.

11. Groundwater:
• SB 2027 by Perry: Relating to the standard of
judicial review for a suit involving a groundwater
conservation district.
• SO MANY OTHERS…

12. Questions?