The bill, S.B. No. 616, amends Section 27.051(i) of the Water Code to allow for specific aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) projects that intersect with the Edwards Aquifer, particularly in Williamson County east of Interstate Highway 35. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is granted the authority to authorize these projects through rules or permits, which include the injection of groundwater from the Edwards Aquifer, stormwater, floodwater, or groundwater through improved sinkholes or caves, and specifically, ASR injection wells that inject 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. The amendments aim to facilitate the management and recovery of water resources while ensuring environmental protections are maintained.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Water Code 27.051 (Water Code 27)