H.B. No. 3141 introduces a new section, Section 5.137, to the Water Code, which mandates the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to update its rules regarding rainfall estimates. This update must incorporate the latest available data on rainfall intensity, duration, and frequency from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or a comparable source at least once every five years. Additionally, the TCEQ is required to consider the costs avoided by the state due to these updates, the variance between existing and new data, and the accuracy of the new data compared to the old during each rulemaking process.

The bill stipulates that the TCEQ must adopt the first set of updated rules by January 1, 2026, following the guidelines established in the new section. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, ensuring that the TCEQ has a clear timeline for implementing these necessary updates to enhance the accuracy and reliability of rainfall data used in environmental regulations.

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