89R2988 JAM-F

By: Goodwin H.B. No. 1245

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a prohibition on the use of water on nonresidential property to irrigate nonfunctional turf during a drought.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 11.1272(c), Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) A [By May 1, 2005, a] drought contingency plan required by commission rule adopted under this section must:

(1) include specific, quantified targets for water use reductions that are:

(A) to be achieved during periods of water shortages and drought; and

(B) established by the [. The] entity preparing the plan;

(2) prohibit the use of water on nonresidential property to irrigate nonfunctional turf, as defined by commission rule, during periods of water shortages and drought; and

(3) include methods for enforcing compliance with the prohibition described by Subdivision (2) [shall establish the targets].

SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 1, 2026, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality shall adopt rules necessary to implement Section 11.1272(c), Water Code, as amended by this Act.

(b) Not later than May 1, 2026, a wholesale or retail public water supplier or an irrigation district required to develop a drought contingency plan under Section 11.1272, Water Code, shall update that plan to implement Section 11.1272(c), Water Code, as amended by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.