This bill amends Section 36.1132 of the Water Code to introduce a new regulation regarding the issuance of groundwater permits by groundwater conservation districts. Specifically, it adds a new subsection (d) that prohibits a district from issuing a permit for the production and transfer of groundwater out of the district if the total amount authorized, when combined with all other permits issued to the same applicant, would exceed five percent of the total modeled available groundwater allocated to the district. This limitation is intended to ensure sustainable groundwater management and protect the district's water resources.

The new provision will only apply to permits issued on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set to take effect 91 days after the conclusion of the legislative session. This change reflects a proactive approach to groundwater conservation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance between water extraction and the preservation of available groundwater resources.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Water Code 36.1132 (Water Code 36)