TexasTexas water board would study aquifers before some groundwater permits
If enacted, Texas would require a state groundwater study and temporarily block certain new district permits for water transferred outside the district.
What it does
The Texas Water Development Board would study sustainable groundwater production, proposed water transfers, and their effects before reporting to state leaders by January 12, 2027.
The district could not issue new permits or amendments for groundwater transferred outside the district until after a 270-day wait following the report deadline, with an exception for earlier permits.
Argument forThe study could help state and local officials compare groundwater production with long-term aquifer limits and effects on springs and surface water.
Argument againstThe waiting period could delay new groundwater projects and outside-district transfers for applicants seeking permits or amendments.
More detail
The Texas Water Development Board would study how much groundwater the district's aquifers could produce each year over time. The study covers aquifers under the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District and the district's adopted desired future conditions. The board would compare its results with modeled available groundwater set before September 1, 2025. The study would assess production and proposed transfers outside the district, including effects on recharge, water flows, springs, groundwater capture, and groundwater-surface water interaction. The board would send its report to state leaders and legislative committees responsible for groundwater. The report would be due by January 12, 2027, and this section would expire November 1, 2027.
The district could not issue certain new permits or permit amendments during the specified waiting period. The restriction would cover permits and amendments for producing groundwater in the district and transferring it outside the district. The restriction would not apply to a permit or amendment issued before the Act's effective date. The restriction would last only while Section 8863.106 is in effect. The restriction would continue until after the 270th day following the January 12, 2027, report deadline, and the section would expire November 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Sep 3House appoints conferees-reportedLatest
- Sep 3House requests conference committee-reported
- Sep 3House refuses to concur-reported
- Sep 3House appoints conferees
- Sep 3House requests conference committee
- Sep 3House refuses to concur in Senate amendments
- Sep 2Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
- Vote recorded adoption of amendment. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded final passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 27 be placed on its third reading and final passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Sep 2Senate Amendments distributed
- Sep 2Senate passage as amended reportedMajor
- Sep 2Record vote
- Sep 2PassedPassed Senate
- Sep 2Read 3rd timeMinor
- Sep 2Record vote
- Sep 2Three day rule suspended
- Sep 2Record vote
- Sep 2Passed to 3rd reading as amendedMajor
- Sep 2Record vote
- Sep 2AmendedMajor
- Sep 2Amendment(s) offeredMinor
- Sep 2Read 2nd timeMinor
- Sep 2Rules suspended-Regular order of business
- Sep 2Record vote
- Sep 2Ordered not printed
- Sep 2Posting rule suspended
- Sep 2Reported favorably w/o amendmentsMinor
- Sep 2Vote taken in committee
- Sep 2Testimony taken in committee
- Sep 2Considered in public hearing
- Sep 2Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
- Sep 2Posting rule suspended
- Sep 2Co-sponsor authorized
- Aug 27Meeting cancelled
- Aug 27Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
- Aug 26Posting rule suspended
- Aug 26Referred to Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, SelectMinor
- Aug 26Read first timeMinor
- Aug 26Received from the HouseMinor
- Aug 26Co-sponsor authorized
- Aug 25Reported engrossed
- Vote recorded passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 25Reason for vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 25Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 25Record vote
- Aug 25PassedPassed House
- Aug 25Read 3rd timeMinor
- Aug 25Passed to engrossment
- Aug 25Read 2nd timeMinor
- Aug 25Placed on General State Calendar
- Aug 24Considered in Calendars
- Aug 24Committee report sent to Calendars
- Aug 24Committee report distributed
- Aug 23Comte report filed with Committee CoordinatorMinor
- Aug 21Reported favorably as substitutedMinor
- Aug 21Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
- Aug 21Committee substitute considered in committeeMajor
- Aug 21Considered in public hearing
- Aug 20Referred to Natural ResourcesMinor
- Aug 20Read first timeMinor
- Aug 19FiledIntroduced
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