SB 1268

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 flood 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.