SB 1855 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to requirements that certain plats for the subdivision of land include evidence of groundwater supply.

SB 1855 requires developers to attach a certification to land subdivision plans (plats) for properties relying on groundwater beneath the land. This certification must be prepared by a licensed Texas engineer or geoscientist and confirm adequate groundwater availability, following rules set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Municipalities and county commissioners courts must disapprove any plat lacking this certification. The bill directly affects subdivision developers, local governments reviewing land divisions, and the TCEQ, which establishes the standards for acceptable groundwater evidence.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 4, 2025 Last action May 24, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 16, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Texas laws to require groundwater supply evidence on land subdivision plats, ensuring new developments have adequate water resources. The changes align with accessibility standards and establish clear requirements for engineers and geoscientists certifying groundwater availability. Rules must be adopted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality by January 1, 2026.

Scope change

The bill applies to all plat applications for land subdivision where groundwater is the intended water source, affecting both municipal and county-level approvals.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that plat applications must include a statement prepared by a licensed engineer or geoscientist certifying adequate groundwater availability

Added requirement that municipal authorities and commissioners courts must disapprove plat applications that fail to demonstrate adequate groundwater supply

ENFORCEMENT

Added authority for Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to establish rules for certification forms and credible evidence of groundwater availability

TIMELINE

Established January 1, 2026 as the effective date for the Act and deadline for rule adoption

DEFINITION

Added specific criteria for what constitutes credible evidence of groundwater availability for subdivision purposes

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

May 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

May 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

lower

May 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

May 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Committee

Referred to Natural Resources

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Introduced

Received from the Senate

lower

Apr 16, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Testimony taken in committee

upper

Mar 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs

upper

Mar 17, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

3 primary · 8 co-sponsors