(a) The commission has exclusive jurisdiction over and shall regulate wells used during the development of permit applications to obtain required premining geologic, hydrologic, and water quality information.
(b) The commission shall require a well described by Subsection (a) to be registered with the commission. A well described by Subsection (a) is not subject to the commission's permitting, notice, and hearing requirements.
(c) If a well described by Subsection (a) is included in an area permit issued by the commission:
(1) the registration status of the well ceases; and
(2) the well is subject to all rules applicable to the area permit, including notice and hearing requirements.