SB 7 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the oversight and financing of certain water infrastructure matters under the jurisdiction of the Texas Water Development Board.

SB 7 requires the Texas Water Development Board to coordinate planning for water infrastructure projects to maximize use of existing utility corridors and minimize land acquisition through eminent domain. It mandates the Board to develop standardized specifications for water infrastructure, ensure different water systems can connect and operate together, and recommend building extra capacity during construction to accommodate future projects. The bill directly affects water project developers, utilities, and local governments working with the Board on infrastructure planning and financing. Key provisions include creating interconnectivity standards and facilitating collaboration between project sponsors and transportation/utility entities.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Mar 13, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 7 edits · Jun 20, 2025
MODERATE
This bill significantly restructures Texas water funding and oversight by creating a new administrative fund for board expenses, expanding eligible projects to include water reuse and interstate water acquisition, and adding new requirements for wastewater planning integration. It also adjusts financial limits on bonds and grants while establishing a new committee structure for legislative oversight of water fund usage.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of eligible water projects to include water reuse, wastewater infrastructure, and interstate water rights acquisition, while adding a new administrative fund specifically for board operating expenses.
FISCAL

Created a new Texas Water Fund Administrative Fund to pay for board staffing and operational expenses, funded by up to 2% of annual deposits.

Increased bond authority from $25 million to $100 million for water supply and sewer services, and raised grant repayment limits from 70% to 90% of bond principal.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded eligible water projects to include water and wastewater reuse projects, acquisition of out-of-state water rights, and infrastructure for non-project groundwater.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for interim study on incorporating wastewater planning into state water planning process, with report due December 2026.

TIMELINE

Added September 1, 2027 effective dates for several water code amendments, with some provisions expiring in 2028 or 2047.

OVERSIGHT

Redesigned the Texas Water Fund Advisory Committee from seven to eight members and clarified committee structure and meeting procedures.

DEFINITION

Added definition of brackish groundwater for constitutional purposes as water with 3,000+ mg/L total dissolved solids.

Floor votes · House May 28, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
67
Key actions
19
Committee
11
Amendments
12
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Jun 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 31, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
lower
May 30, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
upper
May 30, 2025
Introduced
House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
upper
May 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage as amended reported
upper
May 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 28, 2025
Amended
Amendment withdrawn
lower
May 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to 3rd reading as amended
lower
May 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 26, 2025
Introduced
Amendment to amendment tabled
lower
May 26, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
lower
May 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Committee
Referred to Natural Resources
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
26 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors