The bill, H.B. No. 262, introduces new regulations regarding the production and ownership of brine minerals in Texas by adding Chapter 124 to the Natural Resources Code. It defines "brine minerals" as the various particles and solutes found in brine, including elements such as bromine, lithium, and sodium. The bill establishes that, unless otherwise specified in legal agreements, the owner of the mineral estate of a property owns the brine minerals beneath the land and is responsible for protecting the rights of other mineral owners.

Additionally, the bill amends the Water Code to include a definition of "brine" and clarifies the scope of brine mining, which encompasses the extraction of brine and its minerals. It removes previous exclusions related to oil and gas products from the definition of brine mining. The Railroad Commission is tasked with creating rules to regulate brine mining operations, including reporting requirements for operators of brine production and injection wells. The act is set to take effect 91 days after the legislative session concludes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Water Code 27.002, Water Code 27.036 (Water Code 27)