Texas Water Bill Passes Legislative Hurdle
A sweeping Texas bill designed to avert the looming possibility of a water crisis passed a final legislative hurdle Friday and now heads to the governor’s desk.
Senate Bill 7, authored by Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, works in concert with House Joint Resolution 7, which proposes a constitutional amendment that would allot $1 billion a year from 2027 to 2047 to secure the state’s water supply. Among other things, it would fund the repair of aging infrastructure, desalination and conservation.
The proposed amendment moved forward late last week, but voters will have final approval in November.
Half of the funding would be designated for creating new water supplies, while the other half would be left up to the Texas Water Development Board’s discretion to be used on a full range of infrastructure needs.
Understanding the Bill
Before the House voted on the bill Wednesday, Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin, acknowledged efforts Perry, Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine, and others “put into this historic document.”
“I think it would be an understatement to say just how transformational I think that most of you feel this bill would be for meeting our over $120 billion shortfall that we have to meet our state’s water infrastructure needs,” Ashby said.
A Texas 2036 analysis found that as the population booms and the economy grows, the state will need to invest at least $154 billion over the next 50 years on new water supplies and infrastructure upgrades. The majority is needed to fix deteriorating drinking and wastewater systems.
Support from State Leaders
Ahead of the 89th legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott called for a “generational investment” in water supply and infrastructure projects, deeming it an emergency item, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick prioritized water infrastructure bills.
In a Monday statement, Abbott applauded the legislature for passing the “Texas-sized water package” that he said is “critical” to fixing broken and leaking pipes while also ensuring agricultural producers have the water they need.
“I look forward to swiftly signing Senate Bill 7 into law, and I encourage Texans to pass the constitutional amendment this November to put Texas on a path to have plenty of water for the next 50 years,” Abbott wrote in the statement.
Additional Funding
Additional funding may come from House Bill 500, known as the “supplemental budget bill,” which advanced Tuesday in the Senate. It proposes a one-time investment of $2.6 billion to the Texas Water Development Board for infrastructure projects and to draw down federal funds.
Community-Funded Journalism Initiative
This reporting is part of the Future of North Texas, a community-funded journalism initiative supported by the Commit Partnership, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, the Dallas Mavericks, the Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, the McCune-Losinger Family Fund, The Meadows Foundation, the Perot Foundation, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the University of Texas at Dallas. The News retains full editorial control of this coverage.
Conclusion
The passing of Senate Bill 7 is a significant step towards securing Texas’ water supply for the future. With the proposed constitutional amendment and additional funding from House Bill 500, the state is taking proactive measures to address its water infrastructure needs. As the population continues to grow and the economy expands, it is essential to invest in the state’s water supply to ensure a sustainable future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Senate Bill 7, and what does it propose?
A: Senate Bill 7 proposes a constitutional amendment that would allot $1 billion a year from 2027 to 2047 to secure the state’s water supply. The funding would be used to repair aging infrastructure, desalination, conservation, and creating new water supplies.
Q: How much funding is needed to meet Texas’ water infrastructure needs?
A: According to a Texas 2036 analysis, the state needs to invest at least $154 billion over the next 50 years on new water supplies and infrastructure upgrades.
Q: What is the role of the Texas Water Development Board in the proposed bill?
A: The Texas Water Development Board would be responsible for allocating half of the funding for creating new water supplies, while the other half would be left to their discretion to be used on a full range of infrastructure needs.
Q: When will voters have the final say on the proposed constitutional amendment?
A: Voters will have the final approval on the proposed constitutional amendment in November.
