H.B. No. 1400 proposes the establishment of the Groundwater Science, Research, and Innovation Fund, which will be administered by the Texas Water Development Board. The bill introduces a new subchapter, Subchapter F-1, to Chapter 15 of the Water Code, defining key terms such as "District" and "Fund." The Fund will be a special treasury fund consisting of various sources of revenue, including appropriated money, transfers from the board, investment returns, and donations. The board is authorized to use the Fund exclusively for providing financial assistance in the form of grants to support district programs and projects aimed at advancing groundwater science, research, and innovation.

The bill outlines the criteria for evaluating applications for financial assistance, emphasizing the expected benefits to groundwater management and the need for assistance based on the district's financial situation. It mandates that at least 35% of the Fund's resources be allocated to districts with smaller populations and revenues. Additionally, the board may require districts to provide matching funds for grants, although this requirement can be waived for projects in partnership with higher education institutions. The Act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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