SB616 - Relating to aquifer storage and recovery projects that transect a portion of the Edwards Aquifer.

      S.B. No. 616         AN ACT   relating to aquifer storage and recovery projects that transect a   portion of the Edwards Aquifer.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 27.051(i), Water Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (i)  For purposes of this subsection, "Edwards Aquifer" has   the meaning assigned by Section 26.046(a).  Except as otherwise   provided by this subsection, the commission may not authorize by   rule or permit an injection well that transects or terminates in the   Edwards Aquifer.  The commission by rule or permit may authorize:                (1)  injection of groundwater withdrawn from the   Edwards Aquifer;                (2)  injections of storm water, flood water, or   groundwater through improved sinkholes or caves located in karst   topographic areas; [ or ]                (3)  injections of water made in accordance with   Section 1.44(e)(3), Chapter 626, Acts of the 73rd Legislature,   Regular Session, 1993 ; or                 (4)     the injection of water into a geologic formation   that underlies the Edwards Aquifer for an aquifer storage and   recovery project that includes an ASR injection well, as defined   under Section 27.151, that transects the Edwards Aquifer in:                       (A)     the area of Williamson County east of   Interstate Highway 35; or                       (B)  Medina County .          SECTION 2.  Not later than March 1, 2026, the Texas   Commission on Environmental Quality shall adopt rules to implement   Section 27.051(i), Water Code, as amended by 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 September 1, 2025.             ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 616 passed the Senate on   March 12, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that   the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 12, 2025, by the   following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 616 passed the House, with   amendment, on May 5, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 133,   Nays 3, two present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor