Texas 89th Legislature
Utilities--water & Sewer
6 high-impact bills require immediate attention. 14 bills have bipartisan support.
High-Impact Bills
6 bills require immediate attention
Relating to water losses reported by certain municipally owned utilities to the Texas Water Development Board; authorizing administrative penalties.
Relating to subdivision plat requirements in certain counties; authorizing a fee; authorizing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to the authority of a property owners' association to assess a fine for discolored vegetation or turf during a period of residential watering restriction.
Relating to the provision of water or sewer service by public entities operating jointly or concurrently.
Relating to the access to and use of certain criminal history record information, to the procedure for obtaining that information, and to the correct terminology for certain licenses the issuance of which requires a criminal history background check.
Relating to the enforcement of drought contingency plans by water and sewer utilities and the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Utilities--water & Sewer Filing Activity
Compliance & Cost
Leading Authors
All Bills (20)
Relating to water losses reported by certain municipally owned utilities to the Texas Water Development Board; authorizing administrative penalties.
Relating to water losses reported by certain municipally owned utilities to the Texas Water Development Board; authorizing administrative penalties.
Relating to the authority of a property owners' association to assess a fine for discolored vegetation or turf during a period of residential watering restriction.
Relating to the authority of a property owners' association to assess a fine for discolored vegetation or turf during a period of residential watering restriction.
Relating to rates established by municipalities for water or sewer service for certain entities.
Relating to rates established by municipalities for water or sewer service for certain entities.
Relating to the renewal by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of certain expired occupational licenses and registrations.
Relating to the renewal by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of certain expired occupational licenses and registrations.
Relating to a certificate of public convenience and necessity to provide water or sewer service in an area incorporated or annexed by a municipality.
Relating to a certificate of public convenience and necessity to provide water or sewer service in an area incorporated or annexed by a municipality.
Relating to test years used for ratemaking purposes by certain water and sewer utilities.
Relating to test years used for ratemaking purposes by certain water and sewer utilities.
Relating to the establishment of the Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program.
Relating to the establishment of the Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program.
Relating to subdivision plat requirements in certain counties; authorizing a fee; authorizing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to subdivision plat requirements in certain counties; authorizing a fee; authorizing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to the oversight and financing of certain water infrastructure matters under the jurisdiction of the Texas Water Development Board.
Relating to the oversight and financing of certain water infrastructure matters under the jurisdiction of the Texas Water Development Board.
Relating to a compliance agreement for the suspension of an enforcement action against a regional water supply, sewer, wastewater treatment, or solid waste disposal service for certain violations.
Relating to a compliance agreement for the suspension of an enforcement action against a regional water supply, sewer, wastewater treatment, or solid waste disposal service for certain violations.
Relating to the authority of certain conservation and reclamation districts to impose fees for the construction of certain pipelines and associated infrastructure.
Relating to the authority of certain conservation and reclamation districts to impose fees for the construction of certain pipelines and associated infrastructure.
Relating to certain proceedings by the Public Utility Commission of Texas regarding water or sewer service.
Relating to certain proceedings by the Public Utility Commission of Texas regarding water or sewer service.
Relating to certain regulations adopted by governmental entities for the construction or alteration of residential or commercial buildings.
Relating to certain regulations adopted by governmental entities for the construction or alteration of residential or commercial buildings.
Relating to the procedure for resolving certain customer complaints before the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Relating to the procedure for resolving certain customer complaints before the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Relating to the provision of water or sewer service by public entities operating jointly or concurrently.
Relating to the provision of water or sewer service by public entities operating jointly or concurrently.
Relating to notice provided to certain public drinking water supply systems before water quality testing.
Relating to notice provided to certain public drinking water supply systems before water quality testing.
Relating to disannexation of certain areas of a municipality for failure to provide services.
Relating to disannexation of certain areas of a municipality for failure to provide services.
Relating to the provision of financial assistance by the Texas Water Development Board for certain projects.
Relating to the provision of financial assistance by the Texas Water Development Board for certain projects.
Relating to the access to and use of certain criminal history record information, to the procedure for obtaining that information, and to the correct terminology for certain licenses the issuance of which requires a criminal history background check.
Relating to the access to and use of certain criminal history record information, to the procedure for obtaining that information, and to the correct terminology for certain licenses the issuance of which requires a criminal history background check.
Relating to the enforcement of drought contingency plans by water and sewer utilities and the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Relating to the enforcement of drought contingency plans by water and sewer utilities and the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many Texas laws on utilities--water & sewer passed in 2025?
- The Texas 89th Legislature enacted 20 laws related to utilities--water & sewer. These bills were authored by 14 different legislators and address various aspects of utilities--water & sewer policy in Texas.
- Did utilities--water & sewer bills originate in the Texas House or Senate?
- Utilities--water & Sewer legislation from the 89th Legislature includes 12 Senate bills and 8 House bills. Both chambers contributed significant legislation on this topic.
- Which Texas legislators authored the most utilities--water & sewer bills?
- The leading authors of utilities--water & sewer legislation include Sen. Charles Perry (R) with 4 bills, Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D) with 2 bills, Rep. Ryan Guillen (R) with 2 bills. These lawmakers have demonstrated particular focus on utilities--water & sewer issues during the 89th Legislature.
- How urgent are the compliance requirements for utilities--water & sewer legislation?
- Among the 20 utilities--water & sewer bills enacted, 6 have critical compliance urgency and 12 have moderate urgency. Businesses should prioritize reviewing high-urgency bills for immediate compliance planning.
- What subjects are related to utilities--water & sewer in Texas law?
- Utilities--water & Sewer legislation frequently overlaps with Utilities, Environment, Water. Bills often address multiple related policy areas, so reviewing these connected subjects may provide additional context.
- Is there bipartisan support for utilities--water & sewer legislation in Texas?
- Yes, 14 of the 20 utilities--water & sewer bills (70%) have bipartisan sponsorship, with both Republican and Democrat sponsors. This indicates areas of cross-party agreement on utilities--water & sewer policy.
- When do Texas utilities--water & sewer laws from the 89th Legislature take effect?
- Most Texas legislation takes effect September 1, 2025, unless otherwise specified. Some utilities--water & sewer bills may have immediate effective dates or delayed implementation schedules. Review individual bills for specific effective dates and compliance deadlines.
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