SAWDF Legislative Update – May 1, 2025
Public Hearing – testimony “in-person” only
Monday, May 5, 2025; 8AM
Senate Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs; Room E1.012
89(R) HB 1633 - Sponsor: Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Relating to the Criteria Considered by GroundwaterConservation Districts in Permitting Decisions
HB 1633 clarifies and expands the criteria thatGroundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs) must consider when evaluating applications for permits or permit amendments. The bill adds “unreasonable impacts to registered exempt wells” to the list of factors that must be considered before granting or denying a permit. Most exempt wells are domestic/livestock wells.
This is the first time in history that this legislation is being considered in the Senate! Can you help make history and be present? You do not have to testify. If you are there in person, you can officially register in support of the bill. Your presence will make a huge impression on the committee. We’ll have lanyards you can wear to show your support. If you cannot make it in-person, you can send written testimony to awier.tx@gmail.com. Andy will print and include your testimony in the packet he gives to the committee.
Talking Points:
· There are more than 318,000 domestic &livestock wells in Texas.
· Domestic & livestock wells make up 55% of all water wells in Texas; more than irrigation, industrial, rig supply, municipal supply, or electric generation combined.
· HB 1633 protects the private property rights of all Texans, both exempt well owners and permittees.
· HB 1633 helps groundwater conservation districts balance the development of groundwater resources with consideration of domestic and livestock wells that are essential to rural economies.
· HB 1633 acknowledges groundwater ownership of exempt well owners and considers their private property rights in the decision-making process for new permits or permit amendments.
· HB 1633 amends Section 36.113(d)(2) to allowGCDs to consider the groundwater rights of all Texas well owners.
· HB 1633 does not regulate exempt wells.
· HB 1633 does not discriminate between groundwater rights.
· HB 1633 does not create new rights for exempt well owners, only equal consideration when permits are issued.
89(R) HB 1689 - Sponsor: Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Relating to the use of certain groundwater export fees collected by a groundwater conservation district.
This bill lays the foundation for the creation of a joint mitigation fund by groundwater conservation districts [GCDs]. If passed by the Senate and signed by the Governor, GCDs would be allowed to collectively fund mitigation for drawdown in domestic and livestock wells affected by large-scale pumping, even if the pumping is across county lines and involves more than one GCD.
If you are able to come on Monday, you can also register in support of this bill. The Lost Pines, Post Oak Savannah, and Brazos Valley GCDs have talked about creating a joint mitigation fund. This bill clears the legal obstacles that have slowed their efforts.
Help Protect Groundwater Statewide – stop HB 279
Another way to protect groundwater in Texas is to prevent bad legislation from progressing through the legislative process. Once a bill is passed out of committee, it goes to the "Calendars Committee." This committee is the ‘gatekeeper’ that determines which bills are heard on the House floor.
Representative Stan Gerdes is on the Calendars Committee.
Map of Uranium Mining in Texas:
In Texas, uranium mining involves injecting chemicals into an aquifer to dissolve the minerals, pump out the solution, and filter out the uranium. The map shows probable and/or possible sites for such mining. Some hit close to home. HB 279 removes the contested case hearing process in permitting for uranium mining. You would have no say in possible contamination of the groundwater under your property.
Contact Representative Stan Gerdes and ask that HB 279 not be placed on the House Calendar.
Stan.Gerdes@house.texas.gov 512-463-0682
Thank you for all your support.