Sec. 11.139. EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATIONS

(a) Except as provided by Section 11.148 of this code, the commission may grant an emergency permit, order, or amendment to an existing permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication after notice to the governor for an initial period of not more than 120 days if the commission finds that emergency conditions exist which present an imminent threat to the public health and safety and which override the necessity to comply with established statutory procedures and there are no feasible practicable alternatives to the emergency authorization. Such emergency action may be renewed once for not longer than 60 days.

(b) A person desiring to obtain an emergency authorization under this section shall submit to the commission a sworn application containing the following information:

(1) a description of the condition of emergency justifying the granting of the emergency authorization;

(2) a statement setting forth facts which support the findings required under this section;

(3) an estimate of the dates on which the proposed authorization should begin and end;

(4) a description of the action sought and the activity proposed to be allowed, mandated, or prohibited; and

(5) any other statements or information required by the commission.

(c) If the commission finds the applicant's statement made under Subsection (b) of this section to be correct, the commission may grant emergency authorizations under this section without notice and hearing or with such notice and hearing as the commission considers practicable under the circumstances.

(d) If the commission grants an emergency authorization under this section without a hearing, the authorization shall fix a time and place for a hearing to be held before the commission. The hearing shall be held as soon after the emergency authorization is granted as is practicable but not later than 20 days after the emergency authorization is granted.

(e) At the hearing, the commission shall affirm, modify, or set aside the emergency authorization. Any hearing on an emergency authorization shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 2001, Government Code, and rules of the commission.

(f) If an imminent threat to the public health and safety exists which requires emergency action before the commission can take action as provided by Subsections (a) through (c) of this section and there are no feasible alternatives, the executive director may grant an emergency authorization after notice to the governor. If the executive director issues an emergency authorization under this subsection, the commission shall hold a hearing as provided for in Subsections (d) and (e) of this section. The requirements of Subsection (b) of this section shall be satisfied by the applicant before action is taken by the executive director on the request for emergency authorization.

(g) The requirements of Section 11.132 of this code relating to the time for notice, newspaper notice, and method of giving a person notice do not apply to a hearing held on an application for an emergency authorization under this section, but such general notice of the hearing shall be given as the commission, under Subsections (c) and (e) of this section, considers practicable under the circumstances.

(h) The commission may grant an emergency authorization under this section for the temporary transfer and use of all or part of a permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication for other than domestic or municipal use to a retail or wholesale water supplier for public health and safety purposes. In addition to the requirements contained in Subsection (b) of this section, the commission may direct that the applicant will timely pay the amounts for which the applicant may be potentially liable under Subsection (j) of this section and to the extent authorized by law will fully indemnify and hold harmless the state, the executive director, and the commission from any and all liability for the authorization sought. The commission may order bond or other surety in a form acceptable to the commission as a condition for such emergency authorization. The commission may not grant an emergency authorization under this section which would cause a violation of a federal regulation.

(i) In transferring the amount of water requested by the applicant, the executive director or the commission shall allocate the requested amount among two or more permits, certified filings, or certificates of adjudication for other than domestic or municipal use.

(j) The person granted an emergency authorization under Subsection (h) of this section is liable to the owner and the owner's agent or lessee from whom the use is transferred for the fair market value of the water transferred as well as for any damages caused by the transfer of use. If, within 60 days of the termination of the authorization, the parties do not agree on the amount due, or if full payment is not made, either party may file a complaint with the commission to determine the amount due. The commission may use dispute resolution procedures for a complaint filed under this subsection. After exhausting all administrative remedies under this subsection, an owner from whom the use is transferred may file suit to recover or determine the amount due in a district court in the county where the owner resides or has its headquarters. The prevailing party in a suit filed under this subsection is entitled to recover court costs and reasonable attorney's fees.

(k) The commission may prescribe rules and adopt fees which are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

(l) An emergency authorization does not vest in the grantee any right to the diversion, impoundment, or use of water and shall expire and be cancelled in accordance with its terms.

Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2207, ch. 870, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 795, Sec. 1.013, eff. Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1010, Sec. 3.03, eff. June 19, 1997.