Bill > HB183

This bill modifies requirements for land subdivision plat applications in Texas that rely on groundwater, mandating more stringent documentation and approval processes. Specifically, when a subdivision's water supply will come from groundwater beneath the land, plat applicants must now provide a statement prepared by a licensed engineer or geoscientist that not only certifies adequate groundwater availability but also complies with new rules to be established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Municipal authorities and county commissioners courts are now required to disapprove plat applications that do not meet these new requirements. The bill directs the TCEQ to develop rules by September 1, 2026, including defining "credible evidence" of groundwater availability and establishing the appropriate form and content of certification documents. Additionally, the bill allows county commissioners courts in priority groundwater management areas to adopt water availability requirements to prevent water use from exceeding the safe sustainable yield of the county's water supply. These new regulations will apply to plat applications filed on or after January 1, 2026, with the goal of ensuring more careful and sustainable groundwater resource management during land development.

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=891&Bill=HB183