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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the adoption of a water conservation program by certain |
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counties. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 562, Local Government Code, is amended |
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by adding Subchapter C to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER C. WATER CONSERVATION |
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Sec. 562.051. WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAMS FOR CERTAIN |
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COUNTIES. (a) This section applies only to a county that has a |
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population greater than 230,000, is wholly or partly located within |
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the boundaries of the Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management |
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Area, and is adjacent to a county with a population greater than one |
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million. |
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(b) The commissioners court of a county by order may adopt a |
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water conservation program. Except as provided by Subsection (c), |
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a water conservation program adopted under this section may |
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establish for the unincorporated area of the county, including the |
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extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality, water |
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conservation standards applicable to a development, redevelopment, |
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or subdivision of a tract of land that begins after August 31, 2025. |
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(c) Water conservation standards established under |
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Subsection (b) do not apply to an agricultural operation, as |
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defined by Section 251.002, Agriculture Code. |
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(d) To the extent of a conflict between a county order |
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adopted under this section and a permit, rule, ordinance, or other |
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measure issued by a governmental entity and regulating the same |
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conduct: |
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(1) if the governmental entity is a municipality, the |
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municipal measure prevails; or |
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(2) if the governmental entity is a political |
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subdivision other than a municipality, the more stringent |
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regulation prevails. |
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Sec. 562.052. EXPIRATION. This subchapter and any water |
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conservation programs adopted under Section 562.051 expire |
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September 1, 2031. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |