The bill amends the Water Code by adding a new section, 36.1141, which addresses the expiration of permits issued by groundwater conservation districts. Under this new provision, the expiration date of a drilling, operating, or transfer permit, along with any associated permits, will be delayed if the permit holder is involved in litigation regarding the permit's issuance or validity. The expiration will be postponed until either the two-year anniversary of a final, nonappealable judgment that upholds the permit or the date of a final judgment that invalidates the permit. However, this delay does not apply to litigation initiated by the permit holder or to permit holders who are delinquent in fees, subject to pending enforcement actions, or have not complied with previous adjudications.

The new section is applicable only to permits issued on or after January 1, 2022, and the bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025. This legislation aims to provide clarity and protection for permit holders during legal disputes, ensuring that their permits remain valid until the resolution of such litigation.

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