The bill amends Section 5.555 of the Water Code to enhance the process of public comments regarding matters under the jurisdiction of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Key changes include the requirement for the executive director to respond to all public comments received during the comment period, rather than just those deemed relevant and material. Additionally, the bill mandates that the commission must consider all public comments when making decisions related to applications, ensuring that public input is taken into account in the decision-making process.

The amendments also specify that the executive director's responses, along with the public comments and instructions for further action, must be transmitted to the applicant and individuals who submitted comments or requested to be on the mailing list. The provisions of this bill will apply only to applications filed with the TCEQ on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, while applications submitted before this date will continue to be governed by the existing law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Water Code 5.555 (Water Code 5)