BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.H.B. 5219

By: Martinez

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

The bill author has informed the committee that water scarcity and sustainability are pressing issues in Texas, particularly in South Texas counties that rely heavily on groundwater for municipal, agricultural, and industrial needs. C.S.H.B. 5219 seeks to address this issue by requiring the Texas Water Development Board to conduct a study, with certain requirements, that evaluates and analyzes the water resources in the counties located in Regional Water Planning Area M, which includes Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Maverick, Starr, Webb, Willacy, and Zapata Counties.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

C.S.H.B. 5219 requires the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to conduct a study that evaluates and analyzes the water resources in the counties located in Regional Water Planning Area M as designated by the TWDB. The study must do the following:

·         compile and evaluate current data on groundwater conditions, including groundwater levels, aquifer characteristics, and groundwater use and production;

·         fully assess the effects of current and projected groundwater production on groundwater conditions;

·         establish a framework for analyzing state agency data in order to enable policymakers and agency leadership to make informed, real-time decisions regarding water resource management, financial allocations, and contracting;

·         develop predictive models that can be used to enhance the allocation of state resources, forecast water supply trends, and guide policy decisions that support water sustainability;

·         identify ways to prevent and mitigate potential fraudulent transactions or inefficiencies in financial and contractual processes associated with water infrastructure, permitting, and management;

·         assess the effectiveness of state and federal funding mechanisms in addressing water management challenges through advanced data analytics;

·         review the performance of existing state-funded water management and conservation programs in order to determine cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and impact; and

·         develop standardized, user-friendly reporting mechanisms that incorporate clear visual representations and interactive tools in order to improve public access to and comprehension of water resource data and agency policies.

The bill requires the TWDB to do the following:

·         not later than September 1, 2026, complete the study and prepare and submit a report of the findings to each standing committee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over water development; and

·         make copies of the report available to the public.

The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2027.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.

 

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

 

While C.S.H.B. 5219 may differ from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

 

The introduced required the TWDB executive administrator, in order to engage in a scientific inquiry and analysis regarding current and projected groundwater production and to assess the effects of that production on groundwater conditions, to undertake the necessary evaluations for Region M, including Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Maverick, Starr, Webb, Willacy, and Zapata Counties, and listed specified actions. The substitute instead requires the TWDB to conduct a study that evaluates and analyzes the water resources in the counties located in Regional Water Planning Area M as designated by the TWDB and requires the study to take those actions. The introduced and the substitute differ with respect to such actions as follows:

·         whereas the introduced specified the compilation and evaluation of current data on groundwater levels, aquifer characteristics, and groundwater use and production, the substitute specifies the compilation and evaluation of current data on groundwater conditions, including such levels, characteristics, and use and production;

·         whereas the introduced specified the development and implementation of predictive models to enhance the allocation of state resources, forecast water supply trends, and guide policy decisions that support water sustainability, the substitute specifies the development of predictive models that can be used for such enhancing, forecasting, and guiding;

·         whereas the introduced specified the identification, prevention, and mitigation of potential fraudulent transactions or inefficiencies in financial and contractual processes associated with water infrastructure, permitting, and management, the substitute specifies the identification of ways to prevent and mitigate such potential fraudulent transactions or inefficiencies; and

·         whereas the introduced specified the assessment and demonstration of the effectiveness of state and federal funding mechanisms in addressing water management challenges through advanced data analytics, the substitute specifies just the assessment of such effectiveness through such analytics.

 

Whereas the introduced did not specify the bill's effective date, the substitute establishes an effective date for the bill that provides for its possible immediate effect, contingent on receiving the requisite constitutional vote, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote September 1, 2025.