By: Lucio III	H.B. No. 1232

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board of the
	hydrology and geology of the confined and unconfined aquifers in
	this state.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  (a) The Texas Water Development Board shall
	conduct a study of the hydrology and geology of the confined and
	unconfined aquifers in this state to determine:
	(1)  the quality and quantity of groundwater in those
	aquifers, specifically regarding the salinity of those aquifers;
	(2)  whether those aquifers are tributary or
	non-tributary;
	(3)  the contribution of those aquifers to any surface
	flow of any water in this state; and
	(4)  the contribution of those aquifers to any other
	aquifer in this state.
	(b)  In conducting the study, the board shall produce:
	(1)  a map that identifies the area and water quality of
	the confined and unconfined aquifers in this state;
	(2)  a map that identifies which aquifers are tributary
	and which are non-tributary; and
	(3)  a report on the contribution of those aquifers to
	any other aquifer in this state.
	(c)  Before conducting the study, the board shall determine
	the minimum rate at which an aquifer must contribute to another
	aquifer in this state or to the surface flow of any water in this
	state in order to be included in the study.
	SECTION 2.  Not later than December 31, 2016, the Texas Water
	Development Board shall report the results of the study conducted
	under this Act to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house
	of representatives, and the standing committees of the senate and
	the house of representatives that have jurisdiction over natural
	resources.
	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, 2015.