H.B. No. 5385 amends Section 27.051(i) of the Water Code to clarify the conditions under which the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) can authorize injection wells that interact with the Edwards Aquifer. The bill specifies that, in addition to existing provisions, the commission may now authorize aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) projects that include an ASR injection well, specifically in Williamson County east of Interstate Highway 35. This allows for the injection of water into a geologic formation underlying the Edwards Aquifer, expanding the scope of permissible activities related to aquifer management.

Furthermore, 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. This legislation aims to enhance water resource management in the region while ensuring environmental protections are maintained.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Water Code 27.051 (Water Code 27)