The bill, S.B. No. 1763, introduces new provisions regarding the production and ownership of brine minerals in Texas. It establishes Chapter 124 in the Natural Resources Code, defining "brine minerals" as the various particles and solutes found in brine, such as bromine, lithium, and sodium chloride. The bill clarifies that, unless specified otherwise in legal agreements, the owner of the mineral estate of a property owns the brine minerals beneath the land and is responsible for protecting the rights of other mineral owners. Additionally, the Water Code is amended to include a definition of "brine" and to outline the process of brine mining, which involves extracting brine minerals and other useful substances from subsurface formations.

Furthermore, the bill modifies existing definitions and regulations related to brine mining, including the responsibilities of the Railroad Commission to adopt necessary rules for the administration and regulation of brine mining operations. This includes establishing reporting requirements for operators of brine production and injection wells. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Water Code 27.002, Water Code 27.036 (Water Code 27)