Transcript Highlights:

• We have around 26 or 27 water districts and irrigation districts.
• essential infrastructure and environmental initiatives tied to groundwater conservation and district
• This new authority will allow the district to be more responsive and proactive in its conservation efforts
• Essential infrastructure and environmental initiatives tied to groundwater conservation and district
• This new authority will allow the district to be more responsive and proactive in its conservation efforts

Bills: HB2018, HB1633, HB1689, SB612, SB3058

Keywords: agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, Texas Farm and Ranch, groundwater conservation district, Texas Water Code, water permit, permit amendment, groundwater permit, water rights, aquifer, well registration, exempt wells, beneficial use, water conservation, groundwater quality, well plugging, Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, surface water resources

Summary: The Senate Water, Agriculture, Rural Affairs Committee heard several bills focused on groundwater management, water infrastructure, and agricultural land conservation. SB 612 would limit certain water districts in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy counties from charging developers pipeline construction fees above actual, documented costs; the committee substitute removed a developer challenge mechanism to preserve district discretion over construction standards. HB 1633 would require groundwater conservation districts to consider registered exempt wells when reviewing or amending permits, and testimony from landowners, district representatives, and advocacy groups largely supported the bill as a way to protect domestic and livestock wells from drawdown caused by large export projects. HB 1689 would clarify that export fee revenues may be used for well operability, alternative water supplies, and aquifer monitoring, including through interlocal cooperation, and HB 3058 would give the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District authority to use export fees for county road improvements and environmental programs tied to well inspection and groundwater management. HB 2018 would clarify that the Texas Farm and Ranchland Conservation Program is intended to purchase conservation easements only on working agricultural lands, with support from cattle raisers and Farm Bureau representatives. The committee also considered HB 29, which would require large water systems to validate water loss audits and submit mitigation plans; a committee substitute removed the water-loss threshold and adjusted the timeline for more detailed validation. Public testimony on the bills was generally supportive, with several witnesses describing declining well levels, road damage from export projects, and the need to preserve agricultural land and local water supplies. The committee adopted committee substitutes and voted favorably on HB 29, HB 1689, HB 2018, SB 612, and SB 3058, recommending several of them for the local and uncontested calendar; HB 1633 was left pending awaiting a committee substitute.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of the water districts and irrigation districts cooperate, but some do not.
• A lot of pressure on Senate District 18 water. And Mr.
• essential infrastructure and environmental initiatives related to groundwater conservation and district
• and proactive in its conservation efforts.
• Our district and why this is important to this district.

Bills: HB2018, HB1633, HB1689, SB612, SB3058

Keywords: agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, Texas Farm and Ranch, groundwater conservation district, Texas Water Code, water permit, permit amendment, groundwater permit, water rights, aquifer, well registration, exempt wells, beneficial use, water conservation, groundwater quality, well plugging, Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, surface water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the general manager of the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District.
• districts or other soil and water type districts, uh, governmental entities of the state.
• The local districts and the state soil and water board provide money for rehabilitation, but we're trying
• support essential infrastructure tied to groundwater conservation and district operations.
• the actual reasonable and documented costs incurred, uh, by the district for legal, engineering, and

Bills: SB 612, SB 1855, SB 2568, SB 3058

Keywords: SB 612, Texas Water Code, Section 49.2127, conservation and reclamation district, water district, reclamation district, developer fees, pipeline construction, water pipeline, sewer pipeline, associated infrastructure, subdivision infrastructure, cost recovery, fee cap, actual reasonable documented costs, engineering fees, legal fees, inspection fees, infrastructure relocation, utility connections

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the General Manager of the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District.
• districts or other soil and water. ...water-type districts, governmental entities of the state.
• The local districts and the State Soil and Water Board provide money for rehabilitation, but we're trying
• support essential infrastructure tied to groundwater conservation and district operations.
• and documented costs incurred by the district for legal, engineering, and administrative review, construction

Bills: SB612, SB1855, SB2568, SB3058, HB49

Keywords: SB 612, Texas Water Code, Section 49.2127, conservation and reclamation district, water district, reclamation district, developer fees, pipeline construction, water pipeline, sewer pipeline, associated infrastructure, subdivision infrastructure, cost recovery, fee cap, actual reasonable documented costs, engineering fees, legal fees, inspection fees, infrastructure relocation, utility connections

Transcript Highlights:

• county improvement districts and with that i would be happy to answer any questions any questions for
• Jim Downing who filled out a physical piece of paper all right McMullen Conservation District would be
• One of my clients is the McMullen Valley Water Conservation and Drainage District.
• And then there are other programs, there are conservation programs, serious conservation programs that
• have shared land resources. ...of conservation districts is in charge of that responsibility.

Bills: HB2014, HB2031, HB2078, HB2102, HB2103, HB2117, HB2261, HB2262, HB2264, HB2278, HB2428, HB2494, HB2756, HB2758, HB2762, HB2782, HB2932, HB2933, HB2986

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, water rights, groundwater, Willcox, active management area, certificate of grandfathered rights, Arizona legislature, aggregate mining, reclamation plans, environmental protection, public safety, land use, domestic water, improvement district, water delivery, water hauling

Transcript Highlights:

• and Maricopa Stanfield Irrigation District in Pinal County.
• ...be more efficient, trying to conserve more and more.
• and amendments to existing reclamation plans.
• and amendments to existing reclamation plans.
• And what district do you represent? District 30. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Bills: HB2026, HB2027, HB2028, HB2031, HB2078, HB2094, HB2095, HB2101, HB2102, HB2103, HB2260, HB2278, HB2827, HB2932, HB2933, HB2934, HB2986, HCM2009, HCR2038

Keywords: assured water supply, groundwater, commingling, commingled water, water supply, Arizona Department of Water Resources, ADWR, active management area, AMA, subdivision plat, development approval, water rights, municipal provider, private water company, certificate of assured water supply, written commitment of water service, groundwater savings credits, gray water reuse, replenishment district, Central Arizona Project

Transcript Highlights:

• Our clients are irrigation districts, water conservancies, the state of Utah and Idaho themselves, and
• We represent the natural resource conservation districts and the Arizona Association of those districts
• We represent the natural resource conservation districts and the Arizona Association of those districts
• conservation districts, so they are geographic and geological and kind of climate-related, weather-related
• And, you know, we get a lot of folks come and talk about what they're doing out in the conservation district

Bills: HB2024, HB2053, HB2097, HB2116, HB2117

Keywords: water infrastructure finance authority, WIFA, water supply development, snowpack augmentation, cloud seeding, water augmentation, water financing, water infrastructure, Arizona water law, water conservation, groundwater recharge, stormwater recharge, reclamation and reuse, water rights, water supply projects, public-private partnership, long-term water augmentation fund, water provider, desalination, drought mitigation

Transcript Highlights:

• And I can have a mix—or let's say it's 60%—and I can have a mix of 30, 40, 50, 60, and some 80.
• We're municipal advisors to the district. We've been there for over three decades and basically...
• , and then people not going to the water district. to consume water or sewer.
• On behalf of yourself and the Laguna Madre Water District, we show you registered to testify for the
• We need to repair and make sure that we provide services to our district area, which is South Padre Island

Bills: HB1342, HB2889, HB3002, HB3254, HB4820, HJR40, HJR40

Keywords: private activity bonds, housing, residential rental projects, low-income, affordable housing, bond measures, funding equality, political subdivisions, public communications, election fairness, debt collection, consumer rights, disclosures, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, settlement agreements, State Board of Education, group benefits program, health insurance, state employees, dependents eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• Our water districts have invested a lot of money in conservation and preservation.
• And my district gets some water from a neighboring district.
• And would you say that the regional water districts and Dallas and Fort Worth have done everything they
• Yeah, we've long felt, we've long agreed that conservation and reuse and innovative approaches like aquifer
• going into the system, even if you're reusing and conserving water.

Bills: HB1523, HB2109, HB2694, HB3525, HB3898, HB4646, HB5188, HB5219, HB5320, HB5651, HB5655, HB5659, HB5662, HB5672

Keywords: aquifer conservation, Class V injection well, environmental regulation, groundwater protection, municipal water supply, temporary prohibition, water management, reservoir construction, state water plan, Texas Water Code, environmental impact, Brazoria Drainage District, commissioners, elections, vacancies, resignation, HB 3525, North Texas Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater permit, permit amendment

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources heard House Bill 2109, which would remove certain long-proposed reservoir projects from the state water plan after 50 years without progress. Chairman Van Deaver and many landowners, local officials, timber interests, and conservation advocates testified in support, arguing that the Marvin Nichols Reservoir has burdened Northeast Texas landowners for decades with the threat of eminent domain, depressed property values, and uncertainty over homes, farms, ranches, schools, churches, and cemeteries. Supporters also said the project would flood tens of thousands of acres, require extensive mitigation, harm timber and agriculture, and that Texas now has better alternatives such as conservation, reuse, aquifer storage and recovery, and desalination. Several members expressed sympathy for the affected families and questioned whether a project could remain in the plan indefinitely without progress. Opposition came from North Texas water interests, including the North Texas Commission, Tarrant Regional Water District, and the Texas Water Association, who argued that the bill would interfere with the state’s long-term water planning process and remove needed future supply options for a fast-growing region. They said Region C faces major projected shortages by 2070, that conservation and reuse have already delayed the need for new supplies, and that reservoirs remain one tool in the state’s water-planning toolbox. TWDB staff explained the existing inter-regional conflict process and noted that the substitute would affect several unique reservoir sites, not just Marvin Nichols. After testimony, Chairman Van Deaver closed by urging passage of the bill, but the committee withdrew the substitute and left HB 2109 pending. The committee then took up House Bill 5188, a brackish groundwater bill. The author said the bill would reduce permitting burdens for wells in designated brackish groundwater production zones, and the committee substitute added requirements on monitoring, groundwater-rights ownership, and allocation of pumpage limits while removing some exclusions and export-fee provisions. Texas Wildlife Association testified against the bill, warning that the exemptions could weaken groundwater conservation districts’ ability to protect freshwater resources and surface-owner rights. San Antonio Water System testified in favor, saying brackish groundwater is a key future supply and that the substitute would help speed development of desalination and brackish projects. The Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts testified neutrally but raised concerns about reduced district oversight, especially around injection-well exclusions and the loss of export fees, and said discussions on the bill were ongoing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our water districts are investing a lot of money in conservation and preservation.
• a district that's water needy, and my district gets some water from a neighboring district. ...And it's
• Yeah, we've long felt and agreed that conservation and innovative approaches like aquifer storage and
• Groundwater Conservation District rules.
• districts and stakeholders.

Bills: HB1523, HB2109, HB2694, HB3525, HB3898, HB4646, HB5188, HB5219, HB5320, HB5651, HB5655, HB5659, HB5662, HB5672

Keywords: aquifer conservation, Class V injection well, environmental regulation, groundwater protection, municipal water supply, temporary prohibition, water management, reservoir construction, state water plan, Texas Water Code, environmental impact, Brazoria Drainage District, commissioners, elections, vacancies, resignation, HB 3525, North Texas Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater permit, permit amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• Members and stakeholders in my district came to me with this bill.
• Groundwater Conservation District into the Stark County Drainage District and renaming the combined
• entity. as the Starr County Drainage and Groundwater Conservation District.
• For North Texas Groundwater Conservation District.
• Chairman Vandeva's district and Chairman Heffner's district.

Bills: HB1523, HB2109, HB2694, HB3525, HB3898, HB4646, HB5188, HB5219, HB5320, HB5651, HB5655, HB5659, HB5662, HB5672

Keywords: aquifer conservation, Class V injection well, environmental regulation, groundwater protection, municipal water supply, temporary prohibition, water management, reservoir construction, state water plan, Texas Water Code, environmental impact, Brazoria Drainage District, commissioners, elections, vacancies, resignation, HB 3525, North Texas Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater permit, permit amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we're just trying to make sure everybody's good neighbors.
• Seven ayes and one nay. With seven ayes and one nay, I declare Senate Bill 259 to have passed.
• Nebraska has done this and seen reduction in water use.
• And it is that they have to put a meter on their well. And it's all voluntary.
• Ten ayes and zero nays. With ten ayes and zero nays, I declare Senate Bill 1928 to have passed.

Bills: SB1928, SB259

Keywords: groundwater, water rights, waste prevention, conservation, permitting, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, OWRB, water permits, water use reporting, metering, permit enforcement, groundwater waste, well permitting, cease and desist, fines and penalties, permit suspension, data centers, data processing facilities, cooling systems, evaporative cooling

Summary: The committee took up two water-related bills, both on committee substitutes with titles stricken. Senate Bill 259, carried over from the prior year, was described as a shortened version of earlier language that removed some provisions seen as burdensome and eliminated funding for the Water Resources Board. The author said the bill aims to recognize that water extends beyond property lines, add measuring requirements for permitted users, and preserve water for future generations while exempting domestic uses and pasture/livestock taps. After no questions or debate, the committee passed SB 259 by a vote of 7-1. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1928, which creates a voluntary five-year flex allocation program beginning January 1, 2027. The author said the program is intended to help existing permit holders measure and use water more efficiently without requiring new permitting or mandatory metering, and noted the proposal mirrors House language. He also explained that the original 200% annual cap had been reduced to 150% in the committee substitute. The bill passed 10-0. At the close, the chair noted both bills were heard to help develop broader water policy for Oklahoma and encouraged continued cooperation among interested parties. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Plum Creek in Hayes and Caldwell counties in my district.
• Conservation District in support of Senate Bill 2568.
• District, the Texas Special District. ...and to ensure that the district's permitting process aligns
• I serve... ...as the general manager for North Texas Groundwater Conservation District.
• In your district, Senator Blanco, your district, Senator Gutierrez, and a lot, as a matter of fact, a

Bills: SB243, SB1586, SB1891, SB1959, SB2159, SB2568

Keywords: migrant labor housing, migrant housing, farmworker housing, migrant agricultural worker, agricultural labor, farm labor contractor, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, TDHCA, civil penalty, housing code enforcement, sanitation, occupancy standards, retaliation, worker complaint, language access, Spanish-language outreach, H-2A visa, temporary agricultural workers, unlicensed housing, rural housing

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm really working hard, and I do appreciate it. The title is stricken.
• that other author and any interested parties you saw.
• It's private property, and we want to ensure that.
• Seven ay's and one nay.
• zero nays with 10 ay's and zero nays.

Bills: SB1928, SB259

Keywords: groundwater, water rights, waste prevention, conservation, permitting, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, OWRB, water permits, water use reporting, metering, permit enforcement, groundwater waste, well permitting, cease and desist, fines and penalties, permit suspension, data centers, data processing facilities, cooling systems, evaporative cooling

Transcript Highlights:

• Conservation District. The Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District was created in 2003.
• This new conservation and reclamation district will plan... and construct and manage water-related infrastructure
• , municipal utility districts, and others.
• Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District.
• data and status updates on the dispute and districts.

Bills: SB1169, SB1285, SB1583, SB1611, SB1898, SB1976, SB2160, SB2161, SB2658, SB2661, SB2662, SB2692, SB1055, SB1359, SB2660

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2661 allows members of groundwater conservation districts to enforce their rules by setting
• The TCEQ is not getting tested like the groundwater conservation... ...districts are.
• And we're not giving groundwater conservation districts the authority to assess these penalties.
• Public water suppliers, like cities and special districts, can enforce ordinances and rules to implement
• a groundwater district... a groundwater district has illegally imposed a moratorium and would even consider

Bills: SB1169, SB1285, SB1583, SB1611, SB1898, SB1976, SB2160, SB2161, SB2658, SB2661, SB2662, SB2692, SB1055, SB1359, SB2660

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair. 2661 members groundwater conservation districts enforce their rules by setting reasonable penalties
• because the districts already have the power to crush landowners and farmers today at 10,000. 25,000
• Uh, and we're not giving groundwater conservation districts authority to assess these penalties.
• I represent a number of groundwater conservation districts in support of Senate Bill 2662.
• And if you're dealing with a groundwater district, the groundwater district has illegally imposed a moratorium

Bills: SB 1169, SB 1285, SB 1583, SB 1611, SB 1898, SB 1976, SB 2160, SB 2161, SB 2658, SB 2661, SB 2662, SB 2692, SB 1055, SB 1359, SB 2660

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Transcript Highlights:

• and ship it out of your district, right?
• Uh, we had up in our district, uh, special utility district and a mud came together, uh, and created
• give the district more standard groundwater conservation district authority.
• My name is Charlie Flatt and I'm the general manager of the Hayes Trinity Groundwater Conservation District
• And it's not one that reflects the needs of this district.

Bills: HB 5208, SB 863, SB 1243, SB 1624, SB 1965, SB 2660, SB 2702, SB 2885

Keywords: water filtration, public drinking water, health and safety, well maintenance, water quality, Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, public utility agency, dissolution, local government, regulatory framework, municipal authority, Texas Water Bank, Texas Water Trust, water rights, water banking, instream flow

Transcript Highlights:

• and ship it out of your district, right?
• We had, up in our district, a special utility district, and a MUD came together and created a public
• County and by the Barton Springs Groundwater District.
• We have four operating groundwater districts in our county, and this is the only groundwater district
• My name is Brian Sledge, and I'm an attorney representing the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District

Bills: HB5208, SB863, SB1243, SB1624, SB1965, SB2660, SB2702, SB2885

Keywords: water filtration, public drinking water, health and safety, well maintenance, water quality, Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, public utility agency, dissolution, local government, regulatory framework, municipal authority, Texas Water Bank, Texas Water Trust, water rights, water banking, instream flow

Transcript Highlights:

• the Agricultural Water Conservation Fund, expanding its scope to include flood control and agricultural
• the Agricultural Water Conservation Fund, expanding its scope to include flood control and agricultural
• I show you registered as Paul Hale on behalf of SREC Senate District 1 and yourself, registered against
• supply strategies, capital improvements, asset management, operations and maintenance, conservation,
• the river and its tributaries, and our district spans Bexar, Goliad, Karnes, and Wilson counties.

Bills: HB16, HB16, HB1618, HB2692, HB2712, HB2970, HB3609, HB3628

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, water infrastructure, Texas Water Development Board, financial assistance, water supply projects, rural municipalities, water access assessment, aquifer storage, Edwards Aquifer, water injection, environmental regulations, groundwater management, San Antonio River, pollution control