Relating to an exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain dams or reservoirs operated and maintained for the purposes of erosion, floodwater, and sediment control.
SB 2568 exempts certain local flood control reservoirs from requiring a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). It applies specifically to dams or reservoirs built under federal Public Law 83-566 and operated by "Qualified Local Sponsors" (like soil and water conservation districts) for erosion, floodwater, and sediment control. These sponsors can construct or maintain reservoirs with up to 200 acre-feet of storage and divert water for maintenance without a TCEQ permit. The exemption covers existing projects under federal agreements and remains valid even if the federal partnership ends, as long as the reservoir continues to serve its intended purpose.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 13, 2025
Last action May 27, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Engrossed
·
4 edits
·
May 5, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was reformatted from an introduced draft to an engrossed version, with substantive changes to the bill's structure and legal text. The core policy content regarding dam exemptions remains largely the same, but the bill now includes a new section clarifying that permit requirements apply to all water storage projects except those specifically exempted in the Water Code.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded by adding a new Section 1 that explicitly states permit requirements apply to all water storage projects unless specifically exempted, making the exemption rules clearer and more comprehensive.
REQUIREMENT
Added a new Section 1 clarifying that no person may appropriate state water or construct water storage work without a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, except for specific exemptions listed in the Water Code.
STRUCTURE
Reorganized the bill structure by splitting the original single section into multiple sections, with Section 1 establishing general permit requirements and Sections 2-4 covering specific amendments and effective dates.
TECHNICAL
Changed the bill header format from 'S.B.ANo.A2568' to '89(R) SB 2568 - Engrossed version - Bill Text' and updated the byline information.
DEFINITION
Reformatted the definition of 'qualified local sponsor' to use clearer language and proper line breaks, though the substantive meaning remained the same.
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
33
Key actions
10
Committee
11
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 w/o amendment(s)
lower
May 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
May 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
May 6, 2025
Committee
Referred to Natural Resources
lower
May 6, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
May 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Apr 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Apr 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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