The bill, H.B. No. 4931, amends Section 27.051(i) of the Water Code to regulate aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) projects that intersect the Edwards Aquifer. It specifies that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) may authorize injection wells that transect the Edwards Aquifer under certain conditions. The new provisions allow for the injection of groundwater from the Edwards Aquifer, stormwater, floodwater, or groundwater through improved sinkholes or caves, and specifically includes the authorization for ASR projects that involve an ASR injection well in Medina County.

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 for the Edwards Aquifer.

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