HB 5219 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board of the water resources in certain counties.

HB 5219 requires the Texas Water Development Board to study groundwater resources in Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Maverick, Starr, Webb, Willacy, and Zapata counties (Region M). The study must compile groundwater data, assess production impacts, develop predictive models, review funding effectiveness, and improve public data access by September 1, 2026. The Board must submit a report to legislative committees and the public, with the bill expiring September 1, 2027. This is a procedural study bill focused on data collection and analysis, not a direct policy change affecting water regulations or funding.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Apr 7, 2025 Last action May 14, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 7 edits · May 13, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was significantly rewritten from a study focused on groundwater production and resource management to a broader study covering water resources in Regional Water Planning Area M. The new version adds requirements to identify fraudulent transactions, review economically distressed areas programs, and improve public access through interactive tools. The effective date was also changed to allow for immediate effect with a two-thirds vote, or September 1, 2025, if that threshold isn't met.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a specific groundwater production analysis in certain counties to a comprehensive water resources study covering all counties in Regional Water Planning Area M, with additional requirements for fraud prevention and program review.

SCOPE

Study now covers all water resources in Regional Water Planning Area M rather than just groundwater production in specific counties

REQUIREMENT

New requirement to identify and prevent fraudulent transactions in financial and contractual processes

New requirement to review the economically distressed areas program application process and denial rates

New requirement to develop standardized reporting mechanisms with interactive tools for public access

Removed specific requirement to establish framework for real-time decision making and predictive models for state resource allocation

TIMELINE

Added effective date provision allowing immediate effect with two-thirds vote, or September 1, 2025 if not achieved

DEFINITION

Added formal definition of 'board' as the Texas Water Development Board

Floor votes · House May 12, 2025

How they voted

101–37

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 144

May 12, 2025

D Democratic58

57 Yea 1

98% Yea

R Republican86

44 Yea 37 Nay 5

51% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 14, 2025

Introduced

Received from the House

upper

May 13, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

May 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed to engrossment as amended

lower

May 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

May 12, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (101-37-6)

house

May 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

May 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

Apr 29, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Committee

Referred to Natural Resources

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors