The bill amends the Local Government Code and the Water Code to establish new requirements for plat applications related to subdivisions that rely on groundwater as their water supply. Specifically, it mandates that such applications must include a statement prepared by a licensed engineer or geoscientist certifying the availability of adequate groundwater and compliance with rules set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Additionally, municipal authorities and commissioners courts are required to disapprove applications that do not meet these criteria or fail to demonstrate sufficient groundwater availability.

Furthermore, the bill allows commissioners courts in priority groundwater management areas to adopt water availability requirements to ensure sustainable water use. It also stipulates that the TCEQ must establish rules regarding the certification form and what constitutes credible evidence of groundwater availability. The changes will apply only to applications filed after the bill's effective date of January 1, 2026, and the TCEQ is required to adopt the necessary rules by that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 212.0101, Local Government Code 232.0032, Water Code 35.019 (Local Government Code 212, Local Government Code 232, Water Code 35)