HB 4119

This bill modifies Texas Water Code provisions to streamline the permitting process for uranium mining production area authorizations by exempting certain applications from contested case hearing requirements. Specifically, if an application for uranium mining includes groundwater quality restoration values within or below the range established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, incorporates required baseline characteristics, and falls within permitted boundaries, it will be considered an uncontested matter not subject to contested case hearings under Chapter 2001 of the Government Code. The bill repeals existing subsections that likely contained different procedural requirements and applies only to applications submitted on or after September 1, 2023, while preserving existing law for applications submitted before that date.