SB 50 — Relating to a groundwater study of certain aquifers underlying the territory of the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District by the Texas Water Development Board before the issuance of permits or permit amendments by the district.
Last action — Filed
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1Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed House
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced August 21, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
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Bill Text
- Introduced View text Current pdf
AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.
This bill amends 1 section(s) of the Texas statutes: Section 8863.106, Local Laws Code.
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Section 8863.106, Local Laws Code
Sec. 8863.106. STUDY; PERMIT MORATORIUM. (a) The Texas Water Development Board shall conduct a study to: (1) analyze the annual maximum amount of groundwater that can be produced in perpetuity in the district from the aquifers underlying the district's territory without impeding the achievement of the desired future conditions adopted for those aquifers that are applicable to the territory of the district; (2) compare the results of the analyses conducted under Subdivision (1) to the amount of modeled available groundwater determined by the executive administrator of the Texas Water Development Board before September 1, 2025, for each aquifer; and (3) assess the hydrological effects in the district of proposed groundwater production in the district as represented in the applicable desired future conditions, and of transfers of produced groundwater to areas outside of the district proposed in any pending applications for a permit or permit amendment from the district, and compare those effects with the hydrological effects that would be expected if groundwater production in the district were limited annually to the amount that could be produced in perpetuity as determined under Subdivision (1). (b) The hydrological effects assessed under Subsection (a)(3) must include effects on average annual recharge, inflows, discharges, spring flows, capture, and interaction between groundwater and surface water in the district. (c) Not later than January 12, 2027, the Texas Water Development Board shall prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each standing legislative committee with primary jurisdiction over groundwater a report on the results of the study conducted under this section. (d) The district may not issue a new permit or permit amendment to an applicant for the production and transfer out of the district of groundwater until after the 270th day after the deadline for the submission of the report required by Subsection (c). (e) This section expires November 1, 2027.
added
Action History
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Filed
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Received by the Secretary of the Senate
Sponsors
- Robert Nichols · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 183 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (183)
183 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 183 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors SB 50?
- SB 50 is sponsored by Robert Nichols.
- What is the current status of SB 50?
- This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced August 21, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
- Where can I track SB 50?
- Track SB 50 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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