The bill amends the Water Code by adding Section 36.1141, which establishes provisions regarding the expiration of permits issued by groundwater conservation districts. Specifically, it mandates that if a permit holder is involved in litigation concerning the issuance or validity of their drilling, operating, or transfer permit, the expiration date of that permit and any associated permits must be delayed. The delay lasts until either a final judgment is issued in the litigation, with the expiration date extending to two years after a valid permit is upheld, or until the date of a final judgment if the permit is deemed invalid.

Additionally, the new section outlines exceptions to this rule, stating that it does not apply to permit holders who are delinquent in fees, subject to pending enforcement actions for violations, or who have not complied with orders resulting from adjudicated violations. The provisions of this section will only apply to permits issued on or after January 1, 2022, and the act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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