House committee orders TWDB study, places temporary moratorium on new groundwater export permits

The Committee on Natural Resources voted to report House Bill 27 favorably after adopting a committee substitute that directs the Texas Water Development Board to conduct a 16‑month scientific study of aquifers in East Texas and places a temporary moratorium on issuance of new production-and-export permits while the study is underway.

The substitute requires the Texas Water Development Board to analyze anticipated impacts from increased groundwater pumping and large-volume export proposals and to estimate the volume of groundwater that can be produced on a sustainable annual basis to protect the aquifer’s long-term viability. "We need better science so that we can make sound decisions," said Chair Harris, who laid out the bill and led the hearing. Harris added, "I will not be intimidated by name calling, legal threats, or any other bullying tactics in discharging the duties of my office."

Why it matters: witnesses and members told the committee the scale of proposed withdrawals raised concerns about local…