Texas House Bill HB 5599

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/14/25

Caption

Relating to water conservation and reclamation equipment installed on recreational vehicles.

Summary

HB 5599 would direct the Texas Water Development Board to study whether a program promoting water conservation and reclamation equipment on recreational vehicles is feasible. The bill defines recreational vehicles by reference to the Texas Transportation Code and focuses on both new RVs sold in Texas and used RVs registered in the state. If the feasibility study finds that such a program would produce significant water savings, the board must adopt rules to create the program. The measure is aimed at encouraging the installation and use of water-saving and water-recycling equipment on RVs, which could include devices or systems that reduce freshwater use or allow reuse of water in mobile living units.

Impact

The bill would add Section 6.116 to Chapter 6, Subchapter D of the Water Code, giving the Water Development Board a new planning and rulemaking role related to recreational vehicle water conservation. It does not itself mandate equipment installation immediately; instead, it requires a feasibility assessment first and authorizes a rule-based program only if the board concludes the program would achieve significant conservation. The practical effect would be to create a pathway for future regulation affecting RV manufacturers, dealers, owners, and registrants in Texas.

Sentiment

The available record shows little direct debate, no recorded votes, and no committee transcript excerpts, so the overall sentiment cannot be measured from discussion. The bill’s referral to the Natural Resources Committee suggests it was treated as a water-management measure rather than a controversial policy proposal. On its face, the bill appears to be framed as a conservation-oriented, technical study-and-rulemaking bill.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is whether the state should require or incentivize water conservation equipment on recreational vehicles at all, especially if it increases costs for RV manufacturers, dealers, or consumers. Another possible issue is the bill’s conditional structure: opponents could question whether the feasibility study and subsequent rulemaking are necessary, while supporters may argue that any program should be limited to cases where significant water savings are demonstrated. Because there were no transcripts or votes provided, no specific stakeholder positions are documented in the record.