The bill, H.B. No. 183, amends the Local Government Code and the Water Code to establish new requirements for plat applications related to groundwater supply for land subdivisions. Specifically, it mandates that any plat application for a subdivision relying on groundwater must include a statement prepared by a licensed engineer or geoscientist, certifying both the availability of adequate groundwater and compliance with rules set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Additionally, the bill introduces a provision that allows municipal authorities and commissioners courts to disapprove plat applications that do not meet these requirements.

Furthermore, the TCEQ is tasked with creating rules to define the necessary certification form and what constitutes credible evidence of groundwater availability. The changes will only apply to plat applications submitted after the bill's effective date of January 1, 2026. The TCEQ is also required to adopt these rules by September 1, 2026, ensuring that the new standards are in place to manage water resources effectively and sustainably.

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