BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3333
89R17557 ANG-D	By: Morales, Eddie (Blanco)
	Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
	5/20/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Devils River, located in Val Verde County, is a 100 percent spring-fed river that contributes 30 percent of the inflow to Lake Amistad that in turn, supplies the Rio Grande River. Concerns have been raised by local landowners, the City of Del Rio, and Val Verde County regarding the water quality.

H.B. 3333 will prevent the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) from issuing new permits authorizing direct wastewater discharge into the Devils River Basin in Val Verde County. This bill would not affect TCEQ's authority to issue an individual permit for a municipal separate storm sewer system or a general permit for stormwater and associated non-stormwater discharges. H.B. 3333 will protect the river from degradation, ensuring the Devils River remains clean and viable for future generations.

H.B. 3333 amends current law relating to a restriction on permits authorizing direct discharges of waste or pollutants into water in certain stream segments, stream assessment units, and drainage areas.

[Note: While the statutory reference in this bill is to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), the following amendments affect the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), as the successor agency to TNRCC.]

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 Subchapter B, Chapter 26, Water Code, by adding Section 26.0275, as follows:

Sec. 26.0275.� RESTRICTION ON PERMITS FOR DISCHARGES INTO CERTAIN SEGMENTS, ASSESSMENT UNITS, AND DRAINAGE AREAS.� (a) Defines "assessment unit," "classified segment," "drainage area," "stream assessment unit," "stream segment," and "unclassified water body."

(b) Prohibits the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), except as provided by Subsection (c), from issuing a new permit authorizing the direct discharge from a domestic, industrial, or commercial wastewater treatment facility of any waste, effluent, or pollutants into a stream segment, stream assessment unit, or drainage area to which this section applies.

(c) Provides that this section does not affect the authority of TNRCC to issue an individual permit for a municipal separate storm sewer system or a general permit for stormwater and associated non-stormwater discharges.

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.