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.
| Bill | Sponsor | Summary | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB 1500 | Holland, Justin | Relating to the continuation and functions of the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Office of Public Utility Counsel, and the functions of the independent organization certified for the ERCOT power region. | Sent to the Governor 5/30/23 |
| HB 1565 | Canales, Terry | Relating to the functions of the Texas Water Development Board and continuation and functions of the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas Advisory Committee. | Earliest Effective Date 9/1/23 |
| HB 1688 | Murr, Andrew | Relating to water quality protection areas. | Sent to the Governor 5/26/23 |
| HB 1845 | Metcalf, Will | Relating to the licensing requirements for certain operators of wastewater systems and public water systems. | Earliest Effective Date 9/1/23 |
| HB 2127 | Burrows, Dustin | Relating to state preemption of certain municipal and county regulation. | Sent to the Governor 5/24/23 |
| HB 2373 | Harris, Cody | Relating to the authority of a water or sewer utility to consolidate more than one system under a single tariff. | Sent to the Governor 5/18/23 |
| HB 2460 | King, Tracy | Relating to a requirement that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality obtain or develop updated water availability models for certain river basins. | Earliest Effective Date 9/1/23 |
| HB 3060 | Thompson, Ed | Relating to the regulation of recycling and recycled products. | Earliest Effective Date 5/27/23 |
| HB 3232 | Rogers, Glenn | Relating to the suspension of an enforcement action against a regional water supply, sewer, or wastewater treatment service for a violation committed by a retail public utility being integrated into the regional service. | Sent to the Governor 5/30/23 |
| HB 4087 | Kuempel, John | Relating to the issuance of a permit authorizing the use of certain temporary on-site sewage disposal systems. | Sent to the Governor 5/30/23 |
| HB 4106 | Dean, Jay & | Relating to the procedure for resolving certain customer complaints before the Public Utility Commission of Texas. | Sent to the Governor 5/30/23 |
| HB 4256 | Murr, Andrew | Relating to establishing and funding a grant program to plug leaking water wells in certain counties. | Sent to the Governor 5/30/23 |
| HB 4385 | Guillen, Ryan | Relating to the provision of sewer service without a certificate of public convenience and necessity. | Sent to the Governor 5/28/23 |
| HB 4742 & SB 2182 | Lopez, Janie& LaMantia, Morgan | Relating to the provision of financial assistance from the flood infrastructure fund for certain projects. | Sent to the Governor 5/24/23 |
| SB 28 & HB 10 | Perry, Charles & King, Tracy | Relating to financial assistance provided and programs administered by the Texas Water Development Board. | Sent to the Governor 5/29/23 |
| SB 469 | Springer, Drew | Relating to the eligibility of certain political subdivisions to receive certain financial assistance administered by the Texas Water Development Board. | Sent to the Governor 5/29/23 |
| SB 594 | Zaffirini, Judith | Relating to requirements for and charges for service from public drinking water supply systems. | Sent to the Governor 5/19/23 |
| SB 813 | PMiles, Borris | Relating to providing notice to a state representative and senator of certain administrative actions of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. | Sent to the Governor 5/29/23 |
| SB 943 | Kolkhorst, Lois | Relating to the publication of notices by a governmental entity on the Internet websites of a newspaper and Texas Press Association. | Earliest Effective Date 9/1/23 |
| SB 1289 | Perry, Charles | Relating to the disposal of reclaimed wastewater. | Sent to the Governor 5/29/23 |
| SB 1397 | Schwertner, Charles | Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. | Sent to the Governor 5/29/23 |
| SB 1778 | Alvarado, Carol | Relating to the process for initiating, transferring, or terminating water or sewer service. | Earliest Effective Date 9/1/23 |
| SB 1965 | Alvarado, Carol | Relating to requirements for the purchase or acquisition of certain water and sewer systems. | Earliest Effective Date 9/1/23 |
| SB 2192 | Hall, Bob | Relating to the contents of a petition filed with the Commission for Environmental Quality. | Sent to the Governor 5/29/23 |
| SJR 75 | Perry, Charles & King, Tracy | Proposing a constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state. | Election Date 11/7/23 |
| Bill | Sponsor | Summary | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB 50 | Ordaz, Claudi | Relating to the provision by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of certain information in a language other than English. | Filed 11/14/2022 |
| HB 57 | Zwiener, Erin | Relating to climate change planning and reporting. | Filed 11/14/2022 |
| HB 390 | Howard, Donna | Relating to the Internet broadcast or audio recording of certain open meetings. | Filed 11/14/2022 |
| HB 411 | Collier, Nicole | Relating to changes to an application for an environmental permit before a contested case hearing on the application. | Filed 11/14/2022 |
| HB 441 | Lopez, Ray | elating 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 583 | Raymond, Richard | Relating 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 585 | Raymond, Richard | Relating 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 622 | Shaheen, Matt | Relating to the publication of required notice by a political subdivision by alternative media. | Filed 11/14/2022 |
| HB 642 | Reynolds, Ron | Relating to the establishment of the Texas Environmental Justice Advisory Council. | Filed 11/14/2022 |
| HB 657 | Bailes, Ernest | Relating to Internet posting of notice by governmental entities and representatives as an alternative to newspaper publication of notice. | Filed 11/14/2022 |
| HB 766 | Allen, Alma | Relating to the location of certain public meetings for certain permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. | Filed 11/18/2022 |
| HB 846 | Reynolds, Ron | Relating to the creation of the Climate Change Impact Assessment Council. | Filed 12/01/2022 |
| HB 874 | Bowers, Rhetta | Relating to an exemption to the cancellation of a water right for nonuse. | Filed 12/02/2022 |
| HB 933 | Dutton Jr., Harold | Relating to the notice of intent to obtain a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. | Filed 12/08/2022 |
| HB 934 | Dutton Jr., Harold | Relating to the adoption of a healthy and safe school water plan by public schools. | Filed 12/08/2022 |
| HB 935 | Dutton Jr., Harold | Relating to the type of newspaper required for the publication of notices by governmental entities or representatives in certain counties. | Filed 12/08/2022 |
| HB 973 | Zwiener, Erin | Relating to performance standards for certain aboveground storage tanks. | Filed 12/09/2022 |
| HB 981 | Lopez, Ray | Relating to the establishment of the Texas Environmental Justice Advisory Council. | Filed 12/12/2022 |
| HB 982 | Toth, Steve | Relating to a prohibition on contracts with certain companies that use certain environmental, social, and governance criteria. | Filed 12/12/2022 |
| HB 1033 | Tepper, Carl | Relating to prohibiting the use of political tests by governmental entities and certain government contracts. | Filed 12/19/2022 |
| HB 1123 | Gervin-Hawkins, Barbara | Relating to the adoption of a healthy and safe school water plan by public schools. | Filed 12/28/2022 |
| HB 1505 | Bell, Keith | Relating 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 1351 | Canales, Terry & Perry, Charles | Relating 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 1688 | Murr, Andrew | Relating to water quality protection areas. | Filed 1/6/2023 |
| HB 1889 | Tinderholt, Tony | Relating 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 943 | Hunter, Todd & Kolkhorst, Lois | Relating 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 2369 | Kitzman, Stan | Relating to publishing on an Internet website notices concerning certain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits. | Filed 2/15/2023 |
| HB 2373 | Harris, Cody | Relating to the authority of a water or sewer utility to consolidate more than one system under a single tariff. | Filed 2/15/2023 |
| HB 2515 | Rogers, Glen | Relating 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 2595 | Rosenthal, Jon | Relating to the advertisement of disposal wipes as flushable. | Referred to House Committee on Environmental Regulation 3/13/2023 |
| HB 2863 | Leo-Wilson, Terri | Relating to publication of certain notices on the Internet website of a newspaper. | Referred to House State Affairs Committee 3/14/2023 |
| HB 3090 | Lalani, Suleman | Relating to the authority of a county to maintain a sewer utility. | Referred to House Natural Resources Committee 3/14/2023 |
| HB 3884 | Landgraf, Brooks | Relating to the regulation and management of produced water from oil and gas operations. | Filed 3/7/2023 |
| HB 4144 | Zwiener, Erin | Relating to the regulation by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of the discharge of preproduction plastic. | Filed 3/8/2023 |
| HB 4256 | Murr, Andrew | Relating to establishing and funding a grant program to plug leaking water wells in certain counties. | Filed 3/8/2023 |
| HB 4299 | Lopez, Janie | Relating 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 4320 | Morales Shaw, Penny | Relating to the disclosure of certain chemicals included in hydraulic fracturing treatments. | Filed 3/9/2023 |
| HB 4328 | Bell, Cecil | Relating to rates established by municipalities for water or sewer service for certain entities. | Filed 3/9/2023 |
| HB 4360 | Rogers, Glen | Relating to the inventory and inspection of certain converted wells. | Filed 3/9/2023 |
| HB 4373 | Canales, Terry | Relating 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 4385 | Guillen, Ryan | Relating to the provision of sewer service without a certificate of public convenience and necessity. | Filed 3/9/2023 |
| HB 4444 | King, Tracy | Relating to the conservation and waste of groundwater. | Filed 3/9/2023 |
| HB 4445 | Gerdes, Stan | Relating to water loss in water delivery systems for certain municipally owned water utilities. | Filed 3/9/2023 |
| HB 4489 | Harris, Cody | Relating to complaints regarding odors emanating from poultry facilities. | Filed 3/9/2023 |
| HB 4820 | Orr, Angelia | Relating to the eligibility requirements for grants under the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. | Filed 3/10/2023 |
| HB 4872 | Rogers, Glen | Relating to the reporting of plugging certain wells. | Filed 3/10/2023 |
| HB 4874 | Bailes, Ernest | Relating to notice of a water right amendment filed with the TCEQ regarding a change in purpose of use. | Filed 3/10/2023 |
| HB 4891 | Rogers, Glen | Relating to the adoption and achievement of desired future conditions for aquifers by groundwater conservation districts | Filed 3/10/2023 |
| HB 5279 | Wilson, Terry | Relating to the inter basin transfers of state water. | Filed 3/10/2023 |
| HJR 167 | Lopez, Janie | Proposing 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 169 | Clardy, Travis | Proposing 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 |
| Bill | Sponsor | Summary | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB 28 & HB 10 | Perry, Charles & King, Tracy | Relating 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 40 | Zaffirini, Judith | Relating the the establishment of a boil water notice alert system. | Filed 11/14/2022 |
| SB 53 | Zaffirini, Judith | Relating 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 59 | Zaffirini, Judith | Relating to notice of water and wastewater requirements for the foreclosure sale of residential properties by certain political subdivisions. | Filed 11/14/2022 |
| SB 175 | Middleton, Mayes | Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities. | Filed 11/14/2022 |
| SB 223 | Campbell, Donna | Relating 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 2460 | Perry, Charles & King, Tracy | Relating 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 382 | Zaffirini, Judith | Relating 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 456 | Menendez, Jose | Relating to the adoption of a healthy and safe school water plan by public schools. | Referred to Senate Committee on Education 2/17/2023 |
| SB 469 | Springer, Drew | Relating 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 594 | Zaffirini, Judith | Relating 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 1845 | Perry, Charles & Metcalf, Will | Relating 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 813 | Miles, Borris | Relating 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 2483 | Perry, Charles & King, Tracy | Relating to appellate jurisdiction of the Public Utility Commission regarding certain water or sewer utility fees. | Filed 12/19/2022 |
| SB 894 | Zaffirini, Judith | Relating to an exemption to the cancellation of a water right for nonuse. | Filed 2/14/2023 |
| SB 1047 & HB 2757 | Perry, Charles & Tepper, Carl | Relating 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 1289 | Perry, Charles | Relating to the disposal of reclaimed wastewater. | Referred to Senate Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs Committee 3/9/2023 |
| SB 2166 | Alvarado, Carol | Relating to the eligibility requirements for grants under programs of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. | Filed 3/9/2023 |
| SB 2182 | LaMantia, Morgan | Relating to the provision of financial assistance from the flood infrastructure fund for certain projects. | Filed 3/9/2023 |
| SB 2183 | LaMantia, Morgan | Relating 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 2192 | Hall, Bob | Relating to the contents of a petition filed with the Commission for Environmental Quality. | Filed 3/9/2023 |
| SB 2202 | Zaffirini, Judith & Blanco, Cesar | Relating to an assessment of the condition of certain water utilities. | Filed 3/9/2023 |
| SB 2234 & HB 4299 | LaMantia, Morgan & Lopez, Janie | Relating 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 2291 | Zaffirini, Judith | Relating to the plugging of abandoned or deteriorated water wells; authorizing a fee. | Filed 3/10/2023 |
| SB 2362 | Eckhardt, Sarah & Blanco, Cesar & Johnson, Nathan | Relating to establishing an advisory board to study surface water and groundwater interaction. | Filed 3/10/2023 |
| SB 2379 | Schwertner, Charles | Relating to the definition of the Edwards Aquifer for the purposes of an aquifer storage and recovery project. | Filed 3/10/2023 |
| SB 2440 | Perry, Charles | Relating to requiring certain plats for the subdivision of land to include proof of groundwater supply | Filed 3/10/2023 |
| SB 2503 | Alvarado, Carol | Relating to the use of money in the Texas infrastructure resiliency fund to finance projects related to natural disaster relief. | Filed 3/10/2023 |
| SB 2541 | Blanco, Cesar | Relating to the establishment and administration of the Water Technical Assistance Consortium by the TWDB. | Filed 3/10/2023 |
| SB 252 | Middleton, Mayes | Relating 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.
To view WEAT's Bill Tracking Table for the 87th Texas Legislature:
87th LegislatureTo view WEAT's Bill Tracking Table for the 86th Texas Legislature:
86th LegislatureMembers 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