Reynolds Water Rights Bill Orders A Report Every Five Years

The text as introduced · 284 words

89R15515 CMO-F

By: Reynolds
H.B. No. 5044

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requiring the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

to study and report about water rights that may be subject to

cancellation for nonuse.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 11.173, Water Code, is amended by adding

Subsections (c) and (c-1) to read as follows:

(c) At least once every five years, the commission shall:

(1) analyze permits, certified filings, and

certificates of adjudication under which all or part of the water

authorized to be appropriated has not been put to beneficial use at

any time during the immediately preceding 10-year period; and

(2) prepare and submit to the board, the Parks and

Wildlife Department, and the Legislative Budget Board a written

report that:

(A) identifies permits, certified filings, and

certificates of adjudication analyzed under Subdivision (1) for

which an exemption from cancellation is provided under Subsection

(b);

(B) identifies permits, certified filings, and

certificates of adjudication analyzed under Subdivision (1) that

may be subject to cancellation under Subsection (a); and

(C) for each permit, filing, or certificate

identified under Paragraph (B), specifies:

(i) the volume of water associated with the

permit, filing, or certificate;

(ii) whether an action for cancellation of

the permit, filing, or certificate has been initiated by the

commission; and

(iii) whether the water associated with the

permit, filing, or certification may be appropriate for dedication

to the Texas Water Trust established under Section 15.7031.

(c-1) The commission shall submit the initial report

required by Subsection (c) not later than December 31, 2026. This

subsection expires September 1, 2027.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.