Sec. 27.036. JURISDICTION OVER BRINE MINING. (a) The railroad commission has jurisdiction over brine mining and may issue permits for injection wells used for brine mining.
(b) A person may not begin to drill an injection well to be used for brine mining unless that person has a valid permit for the well issued by the railroad commission under this chapter.
(c) The railroad commission shall adopt rules that are necessary to administer and regulate brine mining.
(d) For purposes of regulation by the railroad commission, an injection well for brine mining is designated as a Class III well under the underground injection control program administered by the railroad commission.
(e) This section takes effect September 1, 1985.
(f) This section does not invalidate any permit for an injection well used for brine mining that was issued by the Texas Water Commission before the effective date of this section. Within 90 days after the effective date of this section, the Railroad Commission of Texas shall issue a substitute permit under the name and authority of the railroad commission to each person who on the effective date of this section holds a valid permit issued by the Texas Water Commission for an injection well used for brine mining.
(g) Application for injection well permits covering brine mining submitted to the Texas Water Commission before the effective date of this section for which permits have not been issued by the commission shall be transmitted to the railroad commission.
Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 921, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 977, Sec. 32, eff. June 19, 1987.
Last modified: September 28, 2016