Relating to creation of the groundwater science, research, and innovation fund to be administered by the Texas Water Development Board.
HB 1400 creates a new groundwater science, research, and innovation fund administered by the Texas Water Development Board. The fund provides grants to groundwater conservation districts for projects focused on improving local groundwater understanding, developing better groundwater models, increasing water conservation efficiency, boosting recharge, and protecting water quality. Funds come from state appropriations, transfers, investment returns, and donations. This bill directly affects groundwater districts by enabling them to access state funding for science-based management initiatives.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 11, 2025
Last action Apr 16, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Engrossed
·
4 edits
·
Apr 10, 2025
MODERATE
This bill establishes a Groundwater Science, Research, and Innovation Fund administered by the Texas Water Development Board to support groundwater-related projects. The text includes significant formatting changes and some content additions, particularly a new subsection (b) to Section 15.426 that exempts matching fund requirements for projects conducted in partnership with institutions of higher education. The effective date remains September 1, 2025.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on groundwater science, research, and innovation, but now includes an exemption for matching fund requirements when projects involve partnerships with higher education institutions.
REQUIREMENT
New subsection (b) to Section 15.426 exempts districts from providing matching funds when the funded project is conducted in partnership with an institution of higher education
TECHNICAL
Significant formatting and layout changes throughout the document, including header information, spacing, and line structure
DEFINITION
Minor formatting adjustments to the definitions section with improved spacing and structure
FISCAL
Additional line breaks and spacing changes in the fund composition section
Floor votes · House Apr 9, 2025
How they voted
133–11
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 145
Apr 9, 2025
D
Democratic59
100% Yea
R
Republican86
86% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
24
Key actions
7
Committee
6
Amendments
2
Apr 16, 2025
Committee
Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed as amended
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Committee
Referred to Natural Resources
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
3 primary · 7 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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