Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 4530 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code and Water Code to revise provisions relating to the Texas Water Trust and the Texas Water Bank, including requiring that the dedication of any groundwater rights placed in trust be reviewed and approved by the Texas Water Development Board.

Governor's Reason for Veto: "The Texas Water Development Board serves a vital purpose in overseeing our State's future water supply, including managing the Texas Water Trust to support environmental needs interconnected with surface water. House Bill No. 4530 would allow private individuals to dedicate their groundwater to the Trust. But it fails to explain how groundwater percolating below the surface of the Earth is to be transferred to a surface water trust focused on instream flows, water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and bay and estuary inflows. It also fails to explain how to accurately measure the amount of groundwater added to the Trust. While I support individual liberty—including the liberty to alienate private property rights—this bill does not consider the means necessary to achieve its goal. Therefore, I disapprove of this bill."