The bill, H.B. No. 1618, amends Section 27.051(i) of the Water Code to clarify the regulations surrounding aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) projects that intersect with the Edwards Aquifer. The amendment specifies that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) may authorize injection wells that transect the Edwards Aquifer under certain conditions. Notably, the bill introduces new provisions allowing for aquifer storage and recovery projects that include an ASR injection well, specifically in Williamson County east of Interstate Highway 35, for the purpose of injecting water into a geologic formation beneath the Edwards Aquifer.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the TCEQ adopt rules to implement these changes by March 1, 2026. The act will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote from both houses of the legislature; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025. This legislation aims to enhance water management practices while ensuring the protection of the Edwards Aquifer.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Water Code 27.051 (Water Code 27)
House Committee Report: Water Code 27.051 (Water Code 27)