HB4526 - Relating to the establishment of a grant program by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to plug abandoned and deteriorating water wells.

  89R9159 ANG-D     By: Martinez H.B. No. 4526       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of a grant program by the Texas   Department of Licensing and Regulation to plug abandoned and   deteriorating water wells.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 28, Water Code, is amended by adding   Subchapter F to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER F.   PLUGGING ABANDONED AND DETERIORATED WATER WELLS   GRANT PROGRAM           Sec. 28.151.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                 (1)     "Department" means the Texas Department of   Licensing and Regulation.                 (2)     "District" means a district or authority created   under Section 52, Article III, or Section 59, Article XVI, Texas   Constitution, that has the authority to regulate the spacing of   water wells, the production of water wells, or both.                 (3)     "Fund" means the plugging abandoned and   deteriorated water wells fund established under Section 28.153.                 (4)     "Program" means the plugging abandoned and   deteriorated water wells grant program established under Section   28.152.           Sec.   28.152.     PLUGGING ABANDONED AND DETERIORATED WATER   WELLS GRANT PROGRAM. (a)   The department by rule shall develop a   program to provide grants for the public purpose of offsetting the   costs associated with plugging abandoned or deteriorated water   wells.           (b)  A grant may be provided under this section only to:                 (1)  a district; or                   (2)     a landowner who plugs a well that is not located   within the boundaries of a district.           Sec.   28.153.     PROGRAM FUND. (a)   The plugging abandoned and   deteriorated water wells fund is an account in the general revenue   fund.           (b)     The fund consists of money appropriated, credited, or   transferred to the fund by the legislature.           Sec.   28.154.     APPLICATION; AMOUNT OF GRANT.   (a)   A district   or landowner who pays or incurs the cost of plugging an abandoned or   deteriorated water well may apply to the department for a   reimbursement grant for an amount equal to 50 percent of the costs   associated with plugging the water well.           (b)     The department may approve an application for a grant   under this section only if the Texas Water Development Board finds   that the district or landowner has submitted sufficient   documentation to show that the district or landowner has   permanently plugged the abandoned or deteriorated water well in   accordance with this chapter and the rules and regulations of the   commission.           Sec.   28.155.     APPLICATION FOR GRANT ON BEHALF OF LANDOWNER.   (a)   A district may apply for a grant under Section 28.154 on behalf   of a landowner who has plugged an abandoned or deteriorated water   well on land that is located in the boundaries of the district.             (b)     A district by resolution may establish rules regarding   the application process under this section.           Sec.   28.156.     RULES. The department may adopt rules   necessary to administer the program established under this   subchapter, including rules regarding:                 (1)  inspection requirements; and                 (2)     administrative procedures, including procedures   related to the timing of a reimbursement.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.