HB 2015

AN ACT relating to the consideration of water conservation by the Texas

House Bill • Zwiener | Virdell

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

In Committee

Hearing Scheduled

Passed Committee

Floor Calendar

Passed Chamber

Sent to Other Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Sent to Governor

Signed into Law

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

← Back to Bills

Committee

Not yet assigned

Fiscal Note

Not available

What This Bill Does

Requires new municipal utility district (MUD) petitions to include a detailed water conservation plan and mandates that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality consider water conservation impacts when evaluating district creation proposals. The commission must now assess potential effects on groundwater levels, recharge capabilities, natural drainage, and regional water resources before approving a new district. This legislation aims to promote more sustainable water management and development practices in Texas, ensuring that new municipal utility districts are created with careful consideration of environmental and water conservation concerns.

Subject Areas

Environment--Water ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, TEXAS COMMISSION ON Special Districts & Authorities--Water & Utility Special Districts & Authorities--Municipal Utility Districts Water--Conservation HILL COUNTRY PRIORITY GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AREA

Bill Text

relating to the consideration of water conservation by the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality when determining whether to
grant or deny a petition for the  creation of a municipal utility
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 54.015, Water Code, is amended to read as
Sec. 54.015.  CONTENTS OF PETITION.  The petition shall:
(1)  describe the boundaries of the proposed district
by metes and bounds or by lot and block number, if there is a
recorded map or plat and survey of the area;
(2)  state the general nature of the work proposed to be
done, the necessity for the work, and the cost of the project as
then estimated by those filing the petition; [and]
(3)  include a water conservation plan that meets the
requirements of Section 13.146, regardless of whether that section
(4)  include a name of the district which shall be
generally descriptive of the locale of the district followed by the
words Municipal Utility District, or if a district is located
within one county, it may be designated "__________ County
Municipal Utility District No. ______."  (Insert the name of the
county and proper consecutive number.)  The proposed district shall
not have the same name as any other district in the same county.
SECTION 2.  Section 54.021(b), Water Code, is amended to
(b)  In determining if the project is feasible and
practicable and if it is necessary and would be a benefit to the
land included in the district, the commission shall consider:
(1)  the availability of comparable service from other
systems, including but not limited to water districts,
municipalities, and regional authorities;
(2)  the reasonableness of projected construction
costs, tax rates, and water and sewer rates; and
(3)  whether or not the district and its system and
subsequent development within the district will have an
unreasonable effect on the following:
(C)  groundwater level within the region;
(D)  recharge capability of a groundwater source;
(E)  natural run-off rates and drainage;
(H)  total tax assessments on all land located
SECTION 3.  This Act applies only to a petition requesting
the creation of a municipal utility district that is filed with the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on or after the effective
date of this Act.  A petition requesting the creation of a municipal
utility district that was filed with the commission before the
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
date the petition was filed, and the former law is continued in
SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.