PROCEDURES FOR DESIGNATION OF PRIORITY GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AREA; CONSIDERATION OF CREATION OF NEW DISTRICT OR ADDITION OF LAND IN PRIORITY GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AREA TO EXISTING DISTRICT; COMMISSION ORDER.

(a) The commission shall designate priority groundwater management areas using the procedures provided by this chapter in lieu of those provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 2001, Government Code.

(b) The commission shall call an evidentiary hearing to consider:

(1) the designation of a priority groundwater management area; and

(2) whether one or more districts should be created over all or part of a priority groundwater management area, all or part of the land in the priority groundwater management area should be added to an existing district, or a combination of those actions should be taken. Consideration of this issue shall include a determination of whether a district is feasible and practicable.

(c) Evidentiary hearings shall be held at a location in one of the counties in which the priority groundwater management area is located, or proposed to be located, or in the nearest convenient location if adequate facilities are not available in those counties.

(d) At the hearing, the commission shall hear testimony and receive evidence from affected persons. Affected persons shall include landowners, well owners, and other users of groundwater in the proposed priority groundwater management area. The commission shall consider the executive director's report and supporting information and the testimony and evidence received at the hearing. If the commission considers further information necessary, the commission may request such information from any source.

(e) Any evidentiary hearing shall be concluded not later than the 75th day after the date notice of the hearing is published.

(f) At the conclusion of the hearing and the commission's considerations, the commission shall issue an order stating its findings and conclusions, including whether a priority groundwater management area should be designated in the area and recommendations regarding district creation as set forth in Subsection (g).

(g) The commission's order designating a priority groundwater management area must recommend that the area be covered by a district in any of the following ways:

(1) creation of one or more new districts;

(2) addition of the land in the priority groundwater management area to one or more existing districts; or

(3) a combination of actions under Subdivisions (1) and (2).

(h) In recommending the boundaries of a district or districts under Subsection (g), the commission shall give preference to boundaries that are coterminous with those of the priority groundwater management area, but may recommend district boundaries along existing political subdivision boundaries at the discretion of the commission to facilitate district creation and confirmation.

(i) The designation of a priority groundwater management area may not be appealed nor may it be challenged under Section 5.351 of this code or Section 2001.038, Government Code.

(j) The commission may adopt rules regarding:

(1) the creation of a district over all or part of a priority groundwater management area that was designated as a critical area under Chapter 35, Water Code, as that chapter existed before September 1, 1997, or under other prior law; and

(2) the addition of all or part of the land in a priority groundwater management area described by Subdivision (1) to an existing district.