By: Zwiener H.B. No. 3953
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the adoption of a water conservation program by a
county.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 562, Local Government Code, is amended
by adding Subchapter C to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER C. WATER CONSERVATION
Sec. 562.051. WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAMS. (a)
Definitions. In this section:
(1) "Agricultural operation" has the meaning assigned
by Section 251.002, Agriculture Code.
(2) "Priority groundwater management area" has the
meaning assigned by Section 35.002, Water Code.
(b) This section applies to a county that has territory
within a priority groundwater management area.
(c) The commissioners court of a county by order may adopt a
water conservation program. A water conservation program adopted
under this section may establish for the unincorporated area of the
county or areas within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a city
only:
(1) rules for residential water use restrictions; and
(2) water conservation standards applicable to the
residential development of a subdivision of a tract of land, the
development of which begins after August 31, 2023.
(d) Water use restrictions established under Subsection
(c)(1) may not apply to an agricultural operation.
(e) To the extent of a conflict between a county order
adopted under this section and a municipal ordinance regulating the
same conduct, the ordinance prevails.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.