Texas HB 1238: Relating to the inspection of the location of a proposed Class I injection well.

Bill Text

H.B.ANo.A1238
AN ACT
relating to the inspection of the location of a proposed Class I
injection well.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTIONA1.AASection 27.016, Water Code, is amended to read as
follows:
Sec.A27.016.AAINSPECTION OF WELL LOCATION. (a) On receiving
an application for a permit, the executive director shall:
(1)AAhave an inspection made of the location of the
proposed disposal well to determine the local conditions and the
probable effect of the well; and
(2)AA[shall] determine the requirements for the setting
of casing, as provided in Sections 27.051, 27.055, and 27.056 [of
this code].
(b)AAFor a proposed Class I injection well, the executive
director may satisfy the requirements of Subsection (a) by
accepting an inspection report prepared by an engineer or
geoscientist licensed in this state. The report must:
(1)AAconfirm that the engineer or geoscientist
inspected the location of the proposed injection well to determine
the local conditions and the probable effect of the well; and
(2)AAstate the engineer’s or geoscientist’s
determination regarding the requirements for the setting of casing
as required by Subsection (a)(2).
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(c)AAAn engineer or geoscientist may conduct an inspection
under Subsection (b)(1):
(1)AAin person at the location of the proposed
injection well; or
(2)AAvirtually through:
(A)AAsatellite or other aerial imagery;
(B)AAmapping software; or
(C)AAother appropriate information sources.
(d)AAThe executive director may require an engineer or
geoscientist that submits a virtual inspection described by
Subsection (c)(2) to conduct an additional in-person inspection if
the initial visual inspection reveals an issue the executive
director determines merits an in-person inspection.
SECTIONA2.AAThe change in law made by this Act applies only
to a permit application filed with the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality on or after the effective date of this Act. A
permit application filed before the effective date of this Act is
subject to the law in effect on the date the application is filed,
and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTIONA3.AAThis Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
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H.B.ANo.A1238
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______________________________ ______________________________
AAAAPresident of the Senate Speaker of the HouseAAAAAA
I certify that H.B. No. 1238 was passed by the House on April
25, 2025, by the following vote:AAYeas 122, Nays 6, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the HouseAAA
I certify that H.B. No. 1238 was passed by the Senate on May
14, 2025, by the following vote:AAYeas 29, Nays 2.
______________________________
Secretary of the SenateAAAA
APPROVED:AA_____________________
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADateAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAA_____________________
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGovernorAAAAAAA
H.B.ANo.A1238
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