Bills: SB 1194, SB 1215, SB 1253, SB 1268, SB 1302, SB 1484, SB 1532

Keywords: water management, bond issuance, eminent domain, regional authority, fee structures, local governance, environmental quality, oyster cultivation, coastal management, natural resources, marine ecosystems, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Water Development Board, guidance principles, flood plan, state water plan, rule review, infrastructure, water discharge, general permit

Transcript Highlights:

• This provides a snapshot of the Texas Water Fund.
• Almost all of our programs are eligible for Texas water fund allocations.
• The flood infrastructure fund is not currently allowed for Texas Water Fund allocations.
• Texas Water Fund was very beneficial for the board, and I think very beneficial for Texas because...
• at the $1 billion for the Texas Water Fund. The 25% had to be used for new water supply.

Keywords: infrastructure, water supply, flood mitigation, Texas Water Fund, community projects, funding allocations

Summary: During this committee meeting, the focus was on discussing critical infrastructure funding, especially related to water supply and flood mitigation projects. Chairwoman Stepney and the Water Development Board presented extensive details regarding the Texas Water Fund, which included $1 billion appropriated to assist various financial programs and tackle pressing water and wastewater issues. Additionally, funding allocations aimed at compromising the state's flood risk and improving water conservation were hotly debated, emphasizing collaboration among committee members and the necessity of addressing community needs in such projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to ask, so would you Speak to where you are on the Texas Water Fund.
• And then talk about the Texas Water Fund.
• Yes, so the Texas Water Fund, as you know, was approved last session.
• water supply for Texas Fund, of which $250 million is required to go there.
• Miller, we are excited about the Texas Water Fund and of course we're all excited about legislation this

Keywords: Texas Water Fund, water management, infrastructure funding, local governments, workforce development, community colleges, educational programs, sustainability

Summary: The meeting focused on several crucial issues, including the Texas Water Fund and its implications for development in the state. Various members highlighted the critical need for effective management of water resources, discussing the role of the Water Development Board and their strategies for outreach to local governments. The committee engaged in a thorough examination of funding projects and the sustainable financing necessary for communities facing challenges in meeting their infrastructure needs. Additionally, there was notable discussion regarding promoting workforce development and the alignment of educational programs with the demands of the job market as indicated by recent trends in community colleges.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're a rural water company, retail water utility, and you've invested a lot of money in a water plant
• The bill seeks to amend Chapter 28. 8a of the Texas Water Code by implementing, implementing planning
• West Texas.
• Currently, the Texas Water Code establishes floodplain regulations, but in Enforcement of these regulations
• Executive Director of the Texas Water Association. I'm here to testify on House Bill 1177.

Bills: HB 1089, HB 1163, HB 1177, HB 1238, HB1318, HB1400, HB1407, HB1532, HJR7, HJR7

Keywords: coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation

Transcript Highlights:

• per year from state sales tax revenue and depositing those funds directly into the the Texas water fund
• That is something that is funded by the Texas Water Fund.
• The beauty of the Texas Water Fund is that because it. includes many of the Water Development Board's
• through creation of the Visionary Texas Water Fund.
• So as you know, the new water supply for Texas fund and currently allows funding of certain number of

Bills: HB 1089, HB 1163, HB 1177, HB 1238, HB1318, HB1400, HB1407, HB1532, HJR7, HJR7

Keywords: coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation

Transcript Highlights:

• They also informed me that it is a water district's bond council, not the water district itself that
• Representing the Texas Rural Water Association against the bill, is that correct? Yes, sir.
• So we're the Texas Rural Water Association.
• I am the executive director of the Association of Water Board Directors, Texas.
• Water control improvement districts, underwater, uh, water conservation districts, freshwater supply

Bills: HB 279, HB 310, HB 365, HB 391, HB 420, HB 422, HB 638

Keywords: HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit, production area authorization, production zone, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contested case hearing, administrative hearing, groundwater restoration, groundwater baseline, water quality, mining permit, restoration values, natural resources, environmental regulation, in-situ uranium mining, permit amendment, public hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• Is a statewide group that represents over 750 water districts throughout state of Texas.
• Members, Texas faces ongoing challenges in water infrastructure and the Texas Water Fund fund, which
• Water Fund. law directs a portion of this funding to rural political subdivisions and municipalities
• Mary Alice McConn, Texas World Water Association. OK, it didn't come through on our end.
• I'm Mary Alice McCona represent, Texas rural water Association.

Bills: HB279, HB310, HB365, HB391, HB420, HB422, HB638, HB279, HB310

Keywords: HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit, production area authorization, production zone, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contested case hearing, administrative hearing, groundwater restoration, groundwater baseline, water quality, mining permit, restoration values, natural resources, environmental regulation, in-situ uranium mining, permit amendment, public hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• To show you registered as Mary Alice McConn, representing the Texas Rural Water Association. against
• So we're the Texas Rural Water Association.
• providers, Water Supply Corporation.
• My name is Rick I am the Executive Director of the Association of Water Board Directors, Texas.
• There were a number of different water districts, including... Water control improvement districts.

Bills: HB279, HB310, HB365, HB391, HB420, HB422, HB638, HB279, HB310

Keywords: HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit, production area authorization, production zone, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contested case hearing, administrative hearing, groundwater restoration, groundwater baseline, water quality, mining permit, restoration values, natural resources, environmental regulation, in-situ uranium mining, permit amendment, public hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• The 2023 creation of the Texas Water Fund was a great step.
• are eligible. ...for funding in the New Water Supply for Texas program.
• within the Texas Water Fund.
• so that all eight programs of the Texas Water Fund, including the new Water Supply Fund, can be funded
• The Visionary Texas Water Fund was designed by the 88th legislature to allow the Water Development Board

Bills: HB3077, HJR2, HJR7, HJR7

Keywords: alcohol, taxation, reporting requirements, sales, distribution, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer, constitutional amendment, water fund, Texas water supply, state revenue, infrastructure, HJR 7, Texas Legislature, quorum, majority quorum, two-thirds quorum, legislative procedure

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an attorney and I serve as General Counsel for the Texas Association of Water Companies or TAWC.
• I'm testifying on behalf of Texas Water Utilities LP, one of the investor owned utilities. regulated
• Texas Water Utilities believes the best... best way to accomplish this is would be the legislation adopting
• And I'm testifying on behalf of the Texas water company, which is a class-a utility serving customers
• Kirschbaum and the Texas Association of Water Companies.

Bills: SB 384, SB 503, SB 565, SB 616, SB 740

Keywords: hunting license, fishing license, donation, operation game thief fund, wildlife conservation, livestock, electronic registry, marks and brands, Texas Animal Health Commission, animal identification, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement, enforcement suspension, utility consolidation, regionalization, water supply, sewer

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water and Agriculture and Rural Affairs convened under the leadership of Chairman Kelly Hancock, who opened the meeting with a prayer in remembrance of Chairman Perry, who was absent due to a personal loss. The session focused on the discussions surrounding SB384, which aims to support the longstanding initiative known as Operation Game Thief. Senator Flores presented the bill, emphasizing its essential role in the fight against poaching through public support. The operation has a successful track record of convictions but is currently dependent on donations and merchandise sales for funding. The committee aimed to vote on multiple bills during this session, contingent on achieving a quorum. Notably, discussions also revolved around fiscal notes on two bills that were set aside for later consideration, indicating the committee's intention to carefully manage their legislative decisions. The meeting showcased a productive atmosphere, with committee members actively engaged in the review and potential advancement of key legislative measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• We established the Texas Water Bank in 1993 to facilitate... the transfer, sale, and lease of water and
• This bill, Senate Bill 1624, would allow for water rights to be held in that trust in the Texas Water
• Under current law, several Texas Water Development Board programs are already exempt from these Texas
• Revenue Fund, the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Texas Water Bank, and the Colonial Self-Help Program
• SB 2204 would expand this exemption to include the Water Assistance Fund, the Water Loan Assistance Fund

Bills: SB863, SB1190, SB1261, SB1413, SB1624, SB1662, SB1663, SB1855, SB1967, SB2124, SB2204, SB1623

Keywords: Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, water loss, municipally owned utilities, Texas Water Development Board, administrative penalties, water audit, water infrastructure, water supply, state water plan, water management strategies, water financing, municipal bonds, revenue bonds, public debt, obligations, TWDB

Transcript Highlights:

• We established a Texas Water Bank in 1993 to facilitate the transfer, sale, and lease of water and water
• The Texas Water Trusts language has been removed.
• Revenue Fund, the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Texas Water Bank, and the Colonial Self-Help Program
• Revenue Fund, the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Texas Water Bank, and the Colonial Self-Help Program
• SB 2204 would expand this exemption to include the Water Assistance Fund, the Water Loan Assistance Fund

Bills: SB863, SB1190, SB1261, SB1413, SB1624, SB1662, SB1663, SB1855, SB1967, SB2124, SB2204, SB1623

Keywords: Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, water loss, municipally owned utilities, Texas Water Development Board, administrative penalties, water audit, water infrastructure, water supply, state water plan, water management strategies, water financing, municipal bonds, revenue bonds, public debt, obligations, TWDB

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs heard several water-related bills, with testimony focused on drinking water quality, groundwater contamination notice, flood infrastructure funding, water rights conservation, and utility service areas. SB 1662 would limit TCEQ’s advance notice to public water systems to no more than 24 hours before testing after a consumer complaint, to reduce the chance of temporary treatment affecting results. SB 1663 would allow TCEQ to notify private well owners, groundwater conservation districts, and nearby residents by direct means about known groundwater contamination, rather than relying mainly on first-class mail and annual reporting. SB 2124 would move the deadline for publishing the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee’s annual report from April 1 to June 1. Witnesses on the first two bills described long-running water quality problems and delayed notice in their communities and supported the measures. No opposition was recorded, and each bill was left pending for a later vote. The committee also heard SB 1967, which would expand eligibility for Flood Infrastructure Fund financing to multipurpose projects that both reduce flooding and create water supply. Senator Hinojosa and Hidalgo County representatives described the Delta Reclamation Project as a shovel-ready example that would capture flood and drainage water, treat it, and produce new potable supply while also providing detention and flood mitigation. A Sierra Club witness also supported the bill, saying such projects could help manage floodwaters and reduce polluted discharges to bays and estuaries. The bill was left pending. A lengthy and divided discussion followed on SB 1413, which would expand the streamlined expedited release process for landowners seeking removal from a water or sewer CCN in additional counties. Senator Nichols said the bill was a property-rights measure aimed at legacy monopolies and bad actors who use CCNs to hold landowners hostage, while supporters described cases where developers could not get timely service, including fire flow, or were asked to fund infrastructure without reasonable recoupment. Opponents from rural water corporations and utility associations argued the bill would undermine investment in water infrastructure, strand debt, and weaken the return on planned expansion. PUC and TCEQ resource witnesses explained that compensation is handled case by case through appraisal and can include stranded costs, planning, design, construction, and some legal fees, but members noted the statute is unclear and discussed possible committee substitute language. Public testimony was closed with the bill left pending. Later, SB 1624 would allow the Texas Water Trust within the Texas Water Bank to hold donated water rights for conservation purposes and protect them from use-it-or-lose-it cancellation, and SB 863 would address Edwards Aquifer utilities that straddle the aquifer boundary by allowing them to continue using Edwards water within their certificated areas under specified conditions. Both bills were laid out, received no public opposition in the hearing, and were left pending.

Bills: SB 384, SB 503, SB 565, SB 616, SB 740

Keywords: hunting license, fishing license, donation, operation game thief fund, wildlife conservation, livestock, electronic registry, marks and brands, Texas Animal Health Commission, animal identification, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas Grow Fund, the grant for infrastructure projects in the oil and gas producing regions within
• HJR35 would create the Grow Texas Fund, which you've heard quite a bit about today.
• The Permanent University Fund, you know, the first time I walked onto the University of Texas campus,
• We have a program that we created through Texas Tech that we fund locally.
• It protects Texas. It's taxpayers. It doesn't impact school finance or highway funds.

Bills: HB188, HB265, HJR35, HJR47, SB1901, HB188, HB265, HJR35

Keywords: Texas STRONG defense fund, severance tax revenue, oil and gas revenue, constitutional transfers, rainy day fund, economic stabilization fund, state highway fund, oil and gas production, qualifying county, county grants, water infrastructure, first responders, public safety, DPS staffing, commercial motor vehicle safety, gang violence prevention, human trafficking prevention, economic development, TxDOT grants, school districts

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a self-funded plan meaning So this is a self-funded plan meaning So this is a self-funded
• , but you as far as the self-funded plans, but all self-funded plans do have an all self-funded plans
• This is a self-funded plan and our department of a self-funded plan and our department of a self-funded
• So they don't regulate self-funded plans. don't regulate self-funded plans. don't regulate self-funded
• So self self-funded we created offer it So self self-funded we created offer it So self self-funded we

Bills: SB 1, HB 500, SB 1, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HB 500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• to be administered by the Texas Water Development Board.
• To 18.6 million and other funds at the water development board for the agricultural water conservation
• and rural water assistance funds under the Texas Water Development Board, that's an important agency
• This amendment funds the Texas Tariff Impact Relief Fund and Grants Program. which we may want to call
• The University of Texas at Austin has many funding sources. This is one. source.

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB1, HB1400, HB 1094, HB365, HB 1109, HB647, HB500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• By investing its oil and gas wealth through the Texas Future Fund, Texas would have a powerful asset—part
• Thirty states already have programs like the Texas Future Fund.
• On the fund design, for every dollar invested by the Texas Future Fund, it will attract another dollar
• 1% of all venture capital dollars raised in funds were raised in Texas.
• Like I said, for $1 invested out of the Texas Future Fund, it will create over $50 of value for Texas

Bills: HB 104, HB2054, HB3459, HB3745, HB4486, HB4488, HB4601, HB104

Keywords: Texas Future Fund, investment review board, economic stabilization, innovative technology, national defense, HB 2054, Texas volunteer fire department assistance fund, Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, volunteer fire departments, wildfire mitigation, wildland fire, rural fire protection, insurer assessment, insurance premium tax, state appropriations, firefighting grants, emergency services, high-risk wildfire areas, Texas Comptroller, Texas Government Code

Transcript Highlights:

• and provide for the speedy trial fund and provide for the speedy trial fund and provide for the use
• and to Officers family scholarship fund and to Officers family scholarship fund and to establish a dis
• the license plate to help fund the license plate to help fund the scholarship program from the Judiciary
• water you know a lot of this some good water you know a lot of this some good water you know a lot of
• times you have water where it kind of times you have water where it kind of times you have water where

Bills: SB 26, SB 28, SJR 36, SB 616, SB 565, SB 384, SB 28, SB 28, SR 131, SR 168, SR 174, SR 175

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• In recognition of what they've done in the state of Texas. state of Texas, we ought to make certain that
• Texas, A&M, Texas Tech and some of those schools, what do we see?
• , or at a slave rebellion in Denton, Texas.
• lottery. in Houston, Texas.
• We have raised through the Fund for Veterans Assistance out of the Texas lotto since its inception. $262

Bills: SB26, SB28, SJR36, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB28, SB28, SR131, SR168, SR174, SR175

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• Conservation Grant Fund that receives water from a multi-county water conservation district.
• revolving fund or the drinking water revolving fund for the remediation, closure, or replacement of
• revolving fund or the drinking water revolving fund for the remediation closure or replacement of cesspools
• The funding mechanism that would be specifically used here is the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.
• Funding to address these cesspools exists and is available via the Clean Water State Revolving Fund,

Bills: HB2029, HB2096, HB2116

Keywords: water conservation, grants, infrastructure, environmental protection, sustainability, cesspool remediation, cesspool replacement, forgivable principal, forgivable loan, wifa, water infrastructure finance authority, clean water revolving fund, drinking water revolving fund, wastewater infrastructure, on-site wastewater system, septic system, groundwater protection, public health, nonpoint source pollution, county water projects

Summary: The Natural Resources Committee heard three bills, all of which received do pass recommendations. House Bill 2029 would require additional disclosure from applicants to the Water Conservation Grant Fund, including plans for how saved water will be used; an amendment broadened the disclosure requirement from only certain applicants to all eligible entities. WIFA testified neutral on the bill and amendment, noting it already collects much of the information. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed 8-0, with the sponsor indicating he may reoffer the amendment on the floor. House Bill 2096 would authorize counties to seek WIFA financial assistance, including forgivable principal, to remediate, close, or replace cesspools that threaten water quality or public health, and would clarify county authority to accept such loans without voter approval. WIFA was neutral and said the bill resolves ambiguity in the statutes. Supporters from the County Supervisors Association and Gila County described widespread cesspool problems in rural counties, especially Gila County, where thousands of cesspools remain and flooding caused sewage contamination and major cleanup costs. The committee approved the bill 8-0. House Bill 2116 would appropriate $1 million from the General Fund in FY 2027 to the Colorado River Litigation Fund. Supporters said the money is needed to prepare for possible legal challenges over Colorado River cuts, while several members emphasized they hope litigation will not be necessary and described the amount as a placeholder for future budget discussions. The bill passed 8-0 and was sent to Appropriations before the committee adjourned.