HB 3628
AN ACT relating to the review and updating by the Texas Water Development
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Updates the Texas Water Development Board's process for reviewing and updating guidance principles and rules related to state water and flood plans. It requires the board to review and update these guidelines at least every five years, coordinating with various state agencies like the Department of Agriculture and Parks and Wildlife Department. The bill also exempts water and flood plan-related rules from the standard four-year rule review requirement, allowing for more flexible and aligned regulatory updates.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to the review and updating by the Texas Water Development Board of guidance principles and rules related to certain plans adopted or approved by the board. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 16.051, Water Code, is amended by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (d-1) to read as (d) The board, in coordination with the commission, the Department of Agriculture, and the Parks and Wildlife Department, shall adopt by rule guidance principles for the state water plan which reflect the public interest of the entire state. When adopting guidance principles, due consideration shall be given to the construction and improvement of surface water resources and the application of principles that result in voluntary redistribution of water resources. The board shall review and update the guidance principles and any other rules related to the state water plan, with input from the commission, the Department of Agriculture, and the Parks and Wildlife Department, as necessary but at least every five years to coincide with the five-year cycle for adoption of a new water plan as described in Subsection (a). (d-1) The requirement to review a rule not later than the fourth anniversary of the date on which the rule takes effect and every four years after that date under Section 2001.039(b), Government Code, does not apply to a rule related to the state water plan adopted under this section. SECTION 2. Section 16.053, Water Code, is amended by adding Subsections (f-1) and (f-2) to read as follows: (f-1) The board shall review and update rules adopted under this section as necessary but at least every five years to coincide with the five-year cycle for adoption of a new water plan as (f-2) The requirement to review a rule not later than the fourth anniversary of the date on which the rule takes effect and every four years after that date under Section 2001.039(b), Government Code, does not apply to a rule adopted under this SECTION 3. Section 16.061, Water Code, is amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (c-1) to read as (c) The board, in coordination with the commission, the Department of Agriculture, the General Land Office, the Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and the State Soil and Water Conservation Board, shall adopt guidance principles for the state flood plan that reflect the public interest of the entire state. The board shall review and revise the guidance principles and any other rules related to the state flood plan, with input from the commission, the Department of Agriculture, the General Land Office, the Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and the State Soil and Water Conservation Board as necessary and at least every fifth year to coincide with the five-year cycle for adoption (c-1) The requirement to review a rule not later than the fourth anniversary of the date on which the rule takes effect and every four years after that date under Section 2001.039(b), Government Code, does not apply to a rule adopted under this SECTION 4. Section 16.062, Water Code, is amended by adding Subsections (m) and (n) to read as follows: (m) The board shall review and update rules adopted under this section as necessary but at least every five years to coincide with the five-year cycle for adoption of a new water plan as (n) The requirement to review a rule not later than the fourth anniversary of the date on which the rule takes effect and every four years after that date under Section 2001.039(b), Government Code, does not apply to a rule adopted under this SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the review and updating by the Texas Water Development
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