BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 4331 By: Lopez, Janie Natural Resources Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The bill author has informed the committee that Texas faces significant flood control challenges due to its diverse topography and climate variations; for example, areas such as the Rio Grande Valley lack natural drainage systems and require extensive infrastructure. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) currently administers the flood infrastructure fund to support flood mitigation projects, but the bill author has further informed the committee that the state environmental review process can delay implementation of fund projects. H.B. 4331 aims to enhance Texas' flood resiliency and ensure timely and efficient project execution by directing the TWDB to study the state environmental review process for flood control and drainage projects eligible for financial assistance from the fund. CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS H.B. 4331 requires the Texas Water Development Board to do the following not later than January 1, 2027: conduct a study to identify ways to streamline the state environmental review process of flood control and drainage projects eligible for financial assistance from the flood infrastructure fund; and develop and implement internal guidelines and procedures to streamline that process for such projects based on the results of the study. The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2027. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
# BILL ANALYSIS
H.B. 4331
By: Lopez, Janie
Natural Resources
Committee Report (Unamended)
H.B. 4331
By: Lopez, Janie
Natural Resources
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The bill author has informed the committee that Texas faces significant flood control challenges due to its diverse topography and climate variations; for example, areas such as the Rio Grande Valley lack natural drainage systems and require extensive infrastructure. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) currently administers the flood infrastructure fund to support flood mitigation projects, but the bill author has further informed the committee that the state environmental review process can delay implementation of fund projects. H.B. 4331 aims to enhance Texas' flood resiliency and ensure timely and efficient project execution by directing the TWDB to study the state environmental review process for flood control and drainage projects eligible for financial assistance from the fund.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS H.B. 4331 requires the Texas Water Development Board to do the following not later than January 1, 2027: conduct a study to identify ways to streamline the state environmental review process of flood control and drainage projects eligible for financial assistance from the flood infrastructure fund; and develop and implement internal guidelines and procedures to streamline that process for such projects based on the results of the study. The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2027.
EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The bill author has informed the committee that Texas faces significant flood control challenges due to its diverse topography and climate variations; for example, areas such as the Rio Grande Valley lack natural drainage systems and require extensive infrastructure. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) currently administers the flood infrastructure fund to support flood mitigation projects, but the bill author has further informed the committee that the state environmental review process can delay implementation of fund projects. H.B. 4331 aims to enhance Texas' flood resiliency and ensure timely and efficient project execution by directing the TWDB to study the state environmental review process for flood control and drainage projects eligible for financial assistance from the fund.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
H.B. 4331 requires the Texas Water Development Board to do the following not later than January 1, 2027:
conduct a study to identify ways to streamline the state environmental review process of flood control and drainage projects eligible for financial assistance from the flood infrastructure fund; and
develop and implement internal guidelines and procedures to streamline that process for such projects based on the results of the study.
The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2027.
EFFECTIVE DATE
On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.