Legislative Issues

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WEAT and our partners in the Texas Water Infrastructure Coalition have testified in support of SB 28 and SJR 75.

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Texas Legislative Process Overview

The Texas Legislature meets in Austin every odd-numbered year (from January through May) to pass new laws. All legislation must undergo at least one public hearing in both a House and Senate committee before it can be passed into law. These hearings are the key opportunities for input to be provided to policymakers. Legislative committee hearings are held intensively from January through May of odd numbered years and periodically outside of these regular sessions, as scheduled by the committee chairs.

This site is intended to provide links to and highlights of important water and environmental bills WEAT is tracking. WEAT actively tracks state legislation and testifies as appropriate through collaboration between our Executive Director Julie Nahrgang, WEAT President and leadership, and WEAT Knowledge Committees. Scroll down for WEAT's Bill Tracking Table.

Texas State Legislature - Key Dates for 2022-2023

  • November 6, 2022 - General Election (local, state, and federal races)
  • November 14, 2022 - Bill Pre-filing begins
  • January 10, 2023 - Texas legislature convenes, start of the 88th Legislative Session
  • March 10, 2023 - Bill filing deadline
  • May 29, 2023 - Sine Die, Last day of regular Texas legislative session (Governor can add special sessions to allow more time to pass legislation)

Interim Reports & Sunset Advisory Commission

88th Session High Priority Water Quality Bills - Texas House of Representatives
BillSponsorSummaryStatus
HB 50Ordaz, ClaudiRelating to the provision by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of certain information in a language other than English.Filed 11/14/2022
HB 57Zwiener, ErinRelating to climate change planning and reporting.Filed 11/14/2022
HB 390Howard, DonnaRelating to the Internet broadcast or audio recording of certain open meetings.Filed 11/14/2022
HB 411Collier, NicoleRelating to changes to an application for an environmental permit before a contested case hearing on the application.Filed 11/14/2022
HB 441Lopez, Rayelating to providing notice to a state representative and senator of an administrative penalty assessed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.Filed 11/14/2022
HB 583Raymond, RichardRelating to the production by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of an annual report on public drinking water supply systems.Filed 11/14/2022
HB 585Raymond, RichardRelating to the creation by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of a plan to protect water treatment facilities from catastrophes.Filed 11/14/2022
HB 622Shaheen, MattRelating to the publication of required notice by a political subdivision by alternative media.Filed 11/14/2022
HB 642Reynolds, RonRelating to the establishment of the Texas Environmental Justice Advisory Council.Filed 11/14/2022
HB 657Bailes, ErnestRelating to Internet posting of notice by governmental entities and representatives as an alternative to newspaper publication of notice.Filed 11/14/2022
HB 766Allen, AlmaRelating to the location of certain public meetings for certain permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.Filed 11/18/2022
HB 846Reynolds, RonRelating to the creation of the Climate Change Impact Assessment Council.Filed 12/01/2022
HB 874Bowers, RhettaRelating to an exemption to the cancellation of a water right for nonuse.Filed 12/02/2022
HB 933Dutton Jr., HaroldRelating to the notice of intent to obtain a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.Filed 12/08/2022
HB 934Dutton Jr., HaroldRelating to the adoption of a healthy and safe school water plan by public schools.Filed 12/08/2022
HB 935Dutton Jr., HaroldRelating to the type of newspaper required for the publication of notices by governmental entities or representatives in certain counties.Filed 12/08/2022
HB 973Zwiener, ErinRelating to performance standards for certain aboveground storage tanks.Filed 12/09/2022
HB 981Lopez, RayRelating to the establishment of the Texas Environmental Justice Advisory Council.Filed 12/12/2022
HB 982Toth, SteveRelating to a prohibition on contracts with certain companies that use certain environmental, social, and governance criteria.Filed 12/12/2022
HB 1033Tepper, CarlRelating to prohibiting the use of political tests by governmental entities and certain government contracts.Filed 12/19/2022
HB 1123Gervin-Hawkins, BarbaraRelating to the adoption of a healthy and safe school water plan by public schools.Filed 12/28/2022
HB 1505Bell, KeithRelating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.Referred to House Committee on Environmental Regulation 3/3/2023
HB 1565 & SB 1351Canales, Terry & Perry, CharlesRelating to the functions of the Texas Water Development Board and the continuation and functions of the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas Advisory Committee.Referred to House Natural Resources Committee 3/3/2023
HB 1688Murr, AndrewRelating to water quality protection areas.Filed 1/6/2023
HB 1889Tinderholt, TonyRelating to a study of seawater desalination processes used in Israel and the feasibility of using similar processes in Texas.Filed 2/3/2023
HB 2178 & SB 943Hunter, Todd & Kolkhorst, LoisRelating to publication of notices by a governmental entity on the Internet websites of a newspaper and the Texas Press Association.Referred to State Affairs Committee 3/9/2023
HB 2369Kitzman, StanRelating to publishing on an Internet website notices concerning certain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits.Filed 2/15/2023
HB 2373Harris, CodyRelating to the authority of a water or sewer utility to consolidate more than one system under a single tariff.Filed 2/15/2023
HB 2515Rogers, GlenRelating to the repeal of the junior priority of a water right authorizing a transfer of water from one river basin in the state to another river basin in the state.Referred to House Natural Resources Committee 3/13/2023
HB 2595Rosenthal, JonRelating to the advertisement of disposal wipes as flushable.Referred to House Committee on Environmental Regulation 3/13/2023
HB 2863Leo-Wilson, TerriRelating to publication of certain notices on the Internet website of a newspaper.Referred to House State Affairs Committee 3/14/2023
HB 3090Lalani, SulemanRelating to the authority of a county to maintain a sewer utility.Referred to House Natural Resources Committee 3/14/2023
HB 3884Landgraf, BrooksRelating to the regulation and management of produced water from oil and gas operations.Filed 3/7/2023
HB 4144Zwiener, ErinRelating to the regulation by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of the discharge of preproduction plastic.Filed 3/8/2023
HB 4256Murr, AndrewRelating to establishing and funding a grant program to plug leaking water wells in certain counties.Filed 3/8/2023
HB 4299Lopez, JanieRelating to the provision of financial assistance by the Texas Water Development Board for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas.Filed 3/9/2023
HB 4320Morales Shaw, PennyRelating to the disclosure of certain chemicals included in hydraulic fracturing treatments.Filed 3/9/2023
HB 4328Bell, CecilRelating to rates established by municipalities for water or sewer service for certain entities.Filed 3/9/2023
HB 4360Rogers, GlenRelating to the inventory and inspection of certain converted wells.Filed 3/9/2023
HB 4373Canales, TerryRelating to the procedure by which a regional water planning group is required to provide notice of certain public meetings or hearings.Filed 3/9/2023
HB 4385Guillen, RyanRelating to the provision of sewer service without a certificate of public convenience and necessity.Filed 3/9/2023
HB 4444King, TracyRelating to the conservation and waste of groundwater.Filed 3/9/2023
HB 4445Gerdes, StanRelating to water loss in water delivery systems for certain municipally owned water utilities.Filed 3/9/2023
HB 4489Harris, CodyRelating to complaints regarding odors emanating from poultry facilities.Filed 3/9/2023
HB 4820Orr, AngeliaRelating to the eligibility requirements for grants under the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.Filed 3/10/2023
HB 4872Rogers, GlenRelating to the reporting of plugging certain wells.Filed 3/10/2023
HB 4874Bailes, ErnestRelating to notice of a water right amendment filed with the TCEQ regarding a change in purpose of use.Filed 3/10/2023
HB 4891Rogers, GlenRelating to the adoption and achievement of desired future conditions for aquifers by groundwater conservation districtsFiled 3/10/2023
HB 5279Wilson, TerryRelating to the inter basin transfers of state water.Filed 3/10/2023
HJR 167Lopez, JanieProposing a constitutional amendment to increase the amount of bonds issued by the TWDB to provide financial assistance for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas.Referred to House Natural Resources Committee 3/15/2023
HJR 169Clardy, TravisProposing a constitutional amendment providing for the dedication of certain sales and use tax revenue to a special fund established in the state treasury to pay for water infrastructure in this state.Referred to House Natural Resources Committee 3/15/2023
88th Session High Priority Water Quality Bills - Texas State Senate
BillSponsorSummaryStatus
SB 28 & HB 10Perry, Charles & King, TracyRelating to financial assistance provided and programs administered by the Texas Water Development Board.Referred to Senate Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs Committee 3/7/2023 - Referred to House Natural Resources Committee 3/7/2023
SB 40Zaffirini, JudithRelating the the establishment of a boil water notice alert system.Filed 11/14/2022
SB 53Zaffirini, JudithRelating to financial assistance by the Texas Water Development Board for backup power generators in economically distressed areas for public water supply and sanitary sewer systems.Filed 11/14/2022
SB 59Zaffirini, JudithRelating to notice of water and wastewater requirements for the foreclosure sale of residential properties by certain political subdivisions.Filed 11/14/2022
SB 175Middleton, MayesRelating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.Filed 11/14/2022
SB 223Campbell, DonnaRelating to public meetings held by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on the permitting of wastewater treatment facilities.Filed 11/14/2022
SB 296 & HB 2460Perry, Charles & King, TracyRelating to a requirement that the TCEQ obtain or develop updated water availability models for certain river basins.Referred to Senate Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Committee 2/15/2023 - Referred to House Natural Resources Committee 3/13/2023
SB 382Zaffirini, JudithRelating to the production by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of an annual report on public drinking water supply systems.Filed 1/12/2023
SB 456Menendez, JoseRelating to the adoption of a healthy and safe school water plan by public schools.Referred to Senate Committee on Education 2/17/2023
SB 469Springer, DrewRelating to the eligibility of certain political subdivisions to receive certain financial assistance administered by the Texas Water Development Board.Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs Committee 2/17/2023
SB 594Zaffirini, JudithRelating to requirements for and charges for service from public drinking water supply systems.Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs Committee 2/17/2023
SB 650 & HB 1845Perry, Charles & Metcalf, WillRelating to a requirement that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality obtain or develop updated water availability models for certain river basins.Referred to Senate Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs Committee 2/17/2023 - Scheduled for public hearing in House Natural Resources Committee 3/21/2023
SB 813Miles, BorrisRelating to providing notice to a state representative and senator of certain administrative actions of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.Filed 2/9/2023
SB 837 & HB 2483Perry, Charles & King, TracyRelating to appellate jurisdiction of the Public Utility Commission regarding certain water or sewer utility fees.Filed 12/19/2022
SB 894Zaffirini, JudithRelating to an exemption to the cancellation of a water right for nonuse.Filed 2/14/2023
SB 1047 & HB 2757Perry, Charles & Tepper, CarlRelating to funding and activities of the Texas Produced Water Consortium.In Senate Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Committe 3/13/2023 - Scheduled for hearing in House Natural Resources Committee 3/21/2023
SB 1289Perry, CharlesRelating to the disposal of reclaimed wastewater.Referred to Senate Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs Committee 3/9/2023
SB 2166Alvarado, CarolRelating to the eligibility requirements for grants under programs of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.Filed 3/9/2023
SB 2182LaMantia, MorganRelating to the provision of financial assistance from the flood infrastructure fund for certain projects.Filed 3/9/2023
SB 2183LaMantia, MorganRelating to the establishment of a task force to analyze the provision of financial assistance from the flood infrastructure fund for the improvement of artificial drainage systems in certain coastal and border regions.Filed 3/9/2023
SB 2192Hall, BobRelating to the contents of a petition filed with the Commission for Environmental Quality.Filed 3/9/2023
SB 2202Zaffirini, Judith & Blanco, CesarRelating to an assessment of the condition of certain water utilities.Filed 3/9/2023
SB 2234 & HB 4299LaMantia, Morgan & Lopez, JanieRelating to the provision of financial assistance by the Texas Water Development Board for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas.Filed 3/10/2023
SB 2291Zaffirini, JudithRelating to the plugging of abandoned or deteriorated water wells; authorizing a fee.Filed 3/10/2023
SB 2362Eckhardt, Sarah & Blanco, Cesar & Johnson, NathanRelating to establishing an advisory board to study surface water and groundwater interaction.Filed 3/10/2023
SB 2379Schwertner, CharlesRelating to the definition of the Edwards Aquifer for the purposes of an aquifer storage and recovery project.Filed 3/10/2023
SB 2440Perry, CharlesRelating to requiring certain plats for the subdivision of land to include proof of groundwater supplyFiled 3/10/2023
SB 2503Alvarado, CarolRelating to the use of money in the Texas infrastructure resiliency fund to finance projects related to natural disaster relief.Filed 3/10/2023
SB 2541Blanco, CesarRelating to the establishment and administration of the Water Technical Assistance Consortium by the TWDB.Filed 3/10/2023
SB 252Middleton, MayesRelating to test gathering requirements for certain wastewater treatment facilities.Filed 3/10/2023

We maintain strong relationships with the Water Quality Division staff at TCEQ as well as EPA Region 6. For updates on regulatory issues that WEAT is following.

Regulatory Affairs Blog
From the Archive: 87th Session High Priority Water Quality Bills
BillSponsorSummaryStatus
HB 70Swanson, ValoreeRelating to legislative review and approval of certain state agency rules.In committee
HB 152Buckley, BradRelating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board of groundwater conditions in certain counties.In committee
HB 186Zwiener, ErinRelating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the portion of the appraised value of a person's property that is attributable to the installation in or on the property of certain water conservation systems.In committee
HB 242Zwiener, ErinRelating to the authority of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to require water pollution abatement plans from certain facilities regulated by the Railroad Commission of Texas.In committee
HB 271Murr, AndrewRelating to the procedure by which a state agency may issue an opinion that a watercourse is navigable.In committee
HB 303Collier, NicoleRelating to testing for lead contamination in public school drinking water.In committee
HB 327Howard, DonnaRelating to the Internet broadcast or audio recording of certain open meetings.Out of committee, voted favorably
HB 348 Companion Bill HB 245Zwiener, Erin &
Farrar, Jessica		Relating to a requirement to make certain environmental and water use permit applications available online.In committee
HB 355Lopez, RayRelating to providing notice to a state representative and senator of an administrative penalty assessed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).In committee
HB 520 Companion Bill HB 2312Beckley, MichelleRelating to the regulation by the Texas Department of Transportation of right-of-way landscaping installed by utilities.Filed 11/10/2020
HB 531Walle, ArmandoRelating to notice requirements for a leased dwelling located in a floodplain.Out of committee, voted favorably
HB 605Gervin-Hawkins, BarbaraRelating to the adoption of a healthy and safe school water plan by public schools.In committee
HB 634Morales, EddieRelating to the type of newspaper required for the publication of notices by governmental entities or representatives in certain counties.In committee
HB 711Perez, Mary AnnRelating to performance standards for certain aboveground storage tanks.In committee
HB 714 Companion Bill HB 1491Reynolds, RonRelating to the establishment of the Texas Environmental Justice Advisory Council.Filed 12/3/2020
HB 749Middleton, MayesRelating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.In committee
HB 768Patterson, JaredRelating to the requirement that certain governmental bodies make audio and video recordings of open meetings available on the Internet.In committee
HB 806Gates, GaryRelating to nonsubmetered billing for water or wastewater service.In committee
HB 860 Companion Bill HB 1006Collier, NicoleRelating to changes to an application for an environmental permit before a contested case hearing on the application.Filed 12/17/2020
HB 964Darby, DrewRelating to the treatment, recycling for beneficial use, or disposal of drill cuttings.In committee
HB 966Burns, DeWayneRelating to the award of attorney's fees and other costs in certain suits involving a groundwater conservation district.In committee
HB 968 Companion Bill HB 1804Dutton Jr., HaroldRelating to public comments on matters subject to a hearing under the jurisdiction of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.In committee
HB 969 Companion Bills HB 654 &
SB 573		Dutton Jr., Harold & Miles, BorrisRelating to the definition of "affected person" for purposes of a contested case hearing held by or for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regarding certain environmental permit applications.Filed 1/5/2021
HB 975Dutton Jr., HaroldRelating to the notice of intent to obtain a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).In committee
HB 1030Shaheen, MattRelating to the publication of required notice by a political subdivision by alternative media.In committee
HB 1032Thierry, ShawnRelating to certain public school workforce training programs funded by the skills development fund and to authorizing school districts to provide funding using money received under the Foundation School Program.Filed 1/8/2021
HB 1044Anchia, RafaelRelating to establishing the Texas Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to study and address the impacts of climate change in this state.In committee
HB 1143Ramos, Ana-MariaRelating to the publication of pathogen-related freshwater data by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.In committee
HB 1191Goodwin, VikkiRelating to the creation of the Office of Environmental Justice within the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.In committee
HB 1289Reynolds, RonRelating to notice of certain accidental discharges or spills to local government officials by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.In committee
HB 1322Shaheen, MattRelating to a summary of a rule proposed by a state agency.Out of committee, voted favorably
HB 1606Talarico, JamesRelating to the construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, and removal of dams by the Upper Bushy Creek Water Control and Improvement District.In committee
HB 1866Lucio III, EddieRelating to certain reports created by the Texas Water Development Board.In committee
HB 1904Harris, CodyRelating to the use of the water infrastructure fund.In committee
HB 1949Crockett, JasmineRelating to information on projected changes in weather, water availability, and climate variability in strategic plans of certain state agencies.In committee
HB 1956Beckley, MichelleRelating to information on projected changes in weather, water availability, and climate variability in strategic plans of certain state agencies.In committee
HB 2019Hefner, ColeRelating to a study of the conversion of surface mine pits and quarries to water storage reservoirs in order to enhance this state's available water supply.In committee
HB 2038Talarico, JamesRelating to lead in drinking water at schools and child care facilities.In committee
HB 2095Wilson, TerryRelating to water research conducted by the University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology.In committee
HB 2148Stephenson, PhilRelating to notice of contamination of a public water supply to certain water providers by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).In committee
HB 2224Bell, CecilRelating to rates established by municipalities for water and sewer services.In committee
HB 2268Paul, DennisRelating to disconnection notices for water and sewer service.In committee
HB 2275Zwiener, ErinRelating to critical infrastructure resiliency and financing.In committee
HB 2350Zwiener, ErinRelating to financial assistance provided to political subdivisions by the Texas Water Development Board for nature-based water quality enhancement projects.In committee
HB 2368Morales Shaw, PennyRelating to the participation by local governments in water quality control measures.In committee
HB 2426Murr, AndrewRelating to water quality protection areas.In committee
HB 2580Leach, JeffRelating to the operation and administration of the State Office of Administrative Hearings, including procedures during a declared disaster and the use of videoconferencing technology to conduct administrative hearings.In committee
HB 3096Burrows, DustinRelating to the creation and activities of the Texas Produced Water Consortium.In committee
HB 4146King, TracyRelating to a restriction on permits authorizing direct discharges of waste or pollutants into water in certain stream segments or assessment units.Filed 3/12/2021
HJR 6 Companion Resolutions
HJR 88 &
HJR 149		Swanson, Valoree & Toth, SteveProposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for legislative review or approval of state agency rules.Filed 11/9/2020
HJR 103Zwiener, ErinProposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the water infrastructure resiliency fund and the critical infrastructure resiliency fund to assist in the financing of certain infrastructure projects.In committee
SB 126Johnson, NathanRelating to performance standards for certain aboveground storage tanks.In committee
SB 152Perry, CharlesRelating to the regulation of groundwater conservation districts.In committee
SB 234Hall, BobRelating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.In committee
SB 306Eckhardt, SarahRelating to information on projected changes in weather, water availability, and climate variability in strategic plans of certain state agencies.In committee
SB 307Eckhardt, SarahRelating to the transmission of water across two or more county lines for the purpose of providing wholesale water service.Filed 1/11/2021
SB 314 Companion Bills HB 970 &
SB 640		Huffman, Joan &
Walle, Armando		Relating to notice requirements for leased residential property, manufactured home lots, or commercial property located in a flood zone.Filed 1/11/2021
SB 337 Companion Bill HB 2588Powell, Beverly & Phelan, DadeRelating to the award of grants by the Texas Workforce Commission to facilitate the participation of certain veterans and military personnel in apprenticeship training programs.In committee
SB 366Miles, BorrisRelating to the minimum amount of an administrative penalty assessed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for a violation of certain laws.In committee
SB 531Kolkhorst, LoisRelating to the use of the water infrastructure fund.In committee
SB 601Perry, CharlesRelating to the creation and activities of the Texas Produced Water Consortium.In committee
SB 669Springer, DrewRelating to certain reports by the Texas Water Development Board.In committee
SB 772Nichols, RobertRelating to the location of pits used in the production of oil and gas.In committee
SB 817Gutierrez, RolandRelating to the winterization and emergency preparedness for electric utilities, power generation companies, municipally-owned utilities, and electric cooperatives.In committee
SB 830Zaffirini, JudithRelating the procedure for amending or revoking certificates of public convenience and necessity issued to certain retail public utilities.In committee
SB 859Johnson, NathanRelating to the authority of certain water planning entities to hold an open or closed meeting by telephone conference call or videoconference call.In committee
SB 888Eckhardt, SarahRelating to the use of green stormwater infrastructure in new state buildings.In committee
SB 900Alvarado, CarolRelating to the safety of aboveground storage tanks.In committee
SB 905Perry, CharlesRelating to guidance on the regulations applicable to the potable reuse of wastewater.In committee
SB 28Perry, Charles

To view WEAT's Bill Tracking Table for the 86th Texas Legislature:

86th Legislature

Texas 86th Legislature Interim Reports

Texas 86th Legislature Interim Charges

Members are charged with gathering information and reporting back on assigned topics while not in session.

To view WEAT's Bill Tracking Table for the 85th Texas Legislature:

85th Legislature