The bill amends Section 36.1132(a) of the Water Code to clarify the authority of groundwater conservation districts in issuing permits for groundwater production. Specifically, it states that a district may not issue permits that hinder the achievement of an applicable desired future condition by authorizing a volume of groundwater production that, when combined with exempt groundwater production, exceeds the volume of modeled available groundwater determined by the executive administrator.

The changes include the removal of language that previously mandated districts to issue permits "to the extent possible" and the deletion of references to achieving a total volume of exempt and permitted groundwater production. Instead, the focus is now on ensuring that the total authorized production does not surpass the modeled available groundwater, thereby promoting sustainable groundwater management. The bill is set to take effect on the 91st day after the conclusion of the legislative session.

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