S.B. No. 691

	AN ACT
	relating to the exemption from permitting by groundwater
	conservation districts for certain water wells used for domestic,
	livestock, and poultry watering purposes.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Subsection (b), Section 36.117, Water Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(b)  A district may not require any permit issued by the
	district for:
	(1)  a well used solely for domestic use, or for
	providing water for livestock or poultry, if the well is:
	(A)  located on a tract of land larger than 10
	acres; and
	(B)  [that is] either drilled, completed, or
	equipped so that it is incapable of producing more than 25,000
	gallons of groundwater a day;
	(2)  the drilling of a water well used solely to supply
	water for a rig that is actively engaged in drilling or exploration
	operations for an oil or gas well permitted by the Railroad
	Commission of Texas provided that the person holding the permit is
	responsible for drilling and operating the water well and the well
	is located on the same lease or field associated with the drilling
	rig; or
	(3)  the drilling of a water well authorized under a
	permit issued by the Railroad Commission of Texas under Chapter
	134, Natural Resources Code, or for production from such a well to
	the extent the withdrawals are required for mining activities
	regardless of any subsequent use of the water.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 691 passed the Senate on
	March 29, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 691 passed the House on
	April 19, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 146, Nays 0, two
	present not voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	Approved:
	______________________________
	Date
	______________________________
	Governor