H.B. No. 3333 introduces a new restriction on permits for the direct discharge of waste or pollutants into specific water bodies in Val Verde County, Texas. The bill adds Section 26.0275 to the Water Code, defining "classified segment" as portions of the Devils River identified in regulatory appendices and "unclassified water body" as any water body that is not classified. Under this new section, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is prohibited from issuing new permits for discharges from domestic or industrial wastewater treatment facilities into both classified segments and unclassified water bodies that drain into classified segments, with certain exceptions for municipal storm sewer systems and general stormwater permits.

The law will apply only to permit applications submitted to the TCEQ on or after the effective date of September 1, 2025, meaning that applications submitted before this date will be governed by the previous regulations. This bill aims to enhance environmental protections for the water bodies in the specified area, reflecting a commitment to maintaining water quality in sensitive ecological regions.

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