The bill, H.B. No. 2584, amends Section 26.131 of the Water Code to grant the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) the authority to issue permits for the land application of produced water from certain mining and oil and gas extraction operations. Specifically, it introduces new language that allows the commission to issue permits for the land application of treated produced water, which must meet established water quality standards. The bill also mandates that the commission adopt standards to prevent pollution of surface and subsurface water from such applications.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing provisions regarding the Railroad Commission of Texas's authority to issue permits for waste discharge, clarifying that the TCEQ will handle permits for land application of treated produced water. The changes in law will only apply to permit applications filed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Applications submitted before this date will continue to be governed by the previous law.