The bill, H.B. No. 3106, amends the Water Code by adding a new subsection (e-3) to Section 16.053, which pertains to the development of regional water plans. This new provision allows regional water planning groups that rely heavily on surface water from reservoirs to assess water availability based on the reservoir's safe yield. The safe yield is defined as the reduced annual water volume that can be sustained for a period longer than the drought of record. If a planning group opts not to utilize a safe yield analysis in their regional water plan, they are required to include an explanation for this decision within the plan.

The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, thereby providing a framework for regional water planning that emphasizes the importance of sustainable water management practices based on safe yield analyses. This legislative change aims to enhance the reliability of water supply assessments in regions dependent on reservoir water, ensuring that planning groups are held accountable for their methodologies in developing water plans.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Water Code 16.053 (Water Code 16)