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, as well as any associated permits, must be delayed. The expiration will be postponed until either a final judgment is issued that validates the permit, in which case it will extend to two years after the judgment, or if the permit is deemed invalid, until the date of the final judgment.

Additionally, the bill outlines exceptions to this provision, 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 adjudications of violations. The new 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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