BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3898
89R25585 ANG-F	By: Raymond (Zaffirini)
	Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
	5/19/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law prohibits the state from providing financial assistance to water projects that are not identified in the state water plan. Communities in populous counties along the Rio Grande that have relied solely on the river for drinking water need to develop brackish water resources to meet the current and future drinking water needs of their communities.

H.B. 3898 allows the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to give financial assistance for brackish water desalination projects to a county with a population greater than 250,000, located on an international border, and wholly or partly in a groundwater management area that does not have a groundwater conservation district that is located inside the county's boundaries.

Allowing TWDB to offer financial assistance for brackish water projects to these communities will help abate the drinking water emergency and allow these communities to participate in planning desired future conditions for water use.

H.B. 3898 amends current law relating to the authority of the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance to certain political subdivisions for brackish water desalination.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 16.053, Water Code, by adding Subsection (j-1), as follows:

(j-1) Authorizes the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), notwithstanding Subsection (j) (relating to authorizing TWDB to provide financial assistance to political subdivisions under certain provisions for water supply projects), to provide financial assistance for brackish water desalination to:

(1) a county that has a population greater than 250,000 and is located on an international border and wholly or partly in a management area, as defined by Section 36.001 (Definitions), that does not have a groundwater conservation district that is located inside the county's boundaries; or

(2)� a nonprofit water supply corporation created and operating under Chapter 67 (Nonprofit Water Supply or Sewer Service Corporations) located in a county described by Subdivision (1).

SECTION 2.� Effective date: September 1, 2025.