Texas House Bill HB13

Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.

• Filed: 8/15/25
• Filed: 8/18/25

Summary

HB 13 would require a political subdivision to give builders and developers a credit against water and wastewater impact fees when they construct, contribute, or dedicate an eligible facility, system, or product that produces water reuse, conservation, or savings. The bill defines eligible projects broadly to include measures that reduce per-service-unit water consumption, lower demand for wastewater or stormwater infrastructure, or otherwise exceed standard water-efficiency compliance requirements. The measure also directs local governments that offer these credits to adopt procedures for calculating, applying, reviewing, and approving them in a fair and consistent manner. The bill would take effect on the 91st day after the end of the legislative session and would amend Chapter 395 of the Local Government Code by adding a new section governing these conservation and reuse credits.

Impact

HB 13 would change local impact-fee practices by requiring political subdivisions to offset water and wastewater impact fees for qualifying conservation and reuse investments by developers. It would affect local governments that assess impact fees under Chapter 395 of the Local Government Code, as well as builders and developers seeking credits for water-efficient design, reuse systems, and related infrastructure-reducing technologies. The bill would not eliminate impact fees, but it would create a mandatory credit mechanism tied to specified water-saving outcomes and require local administrative procedures for implementation.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be framed as a pro-conservation, pro-development efficiency measure. Its policy direction suggests support for encouraging water-saving infrastructure and rewarding projects that reduce strain on local utility systems. No direct evidence of opposition or amendment activity is included in the record provided.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is how broadly or narrowly local governments must recognize qualifying projects and how credits are calculated. Builders and developers may favor a generous credit system, while political subdivisions may be concerned about reduced fee revenue, administrative burden, and the need to verify claimed water savings. Another likely issue is whether the bill gives local governments enough discretion to set standards, or instead imposes a mandatory credit requirement that could limit local control over impact-fee policy.