Bill > HB16

This bill relates to improving water infrastructure oversight and financing in Texas by expanding the powers and responsibilities of the Texas Water Development Board. The bill makes several key changes, including broadening the ways the board can use water infrastructure funds to support projects like desalination, water reuse, and reservoir development. It establishes a new Water Access Assessment to systematically evaluate the condition of water utilities across the state, identifying those that are failing or at risk of failing based on factors like infrastructure age, water quality, affordability, and operational capacity. The bill requires the board to create a public website tool to track water infrastructure progress, submit biennial reports to the legislature about water fund allocations and project impacts, and create a new water access assessment account to support these efforts. The advisory committee overseeing water funds is expanded to include additional legislative members and given broader review powers. Importantly, the bill's implementation is contingent on voter approval of a related constitutional amendment in 2025, and it would take effect on January 1, 2026, if that amendment passes. The overall goal is to improve Texas's water infrastructure resilience, transparency, and strategic planning.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB16