Monitoring the Session

HB 1523

Gerdes Bill Pauses Aquifer Storage Wells For Cities 750,000 And Up

Did not pass

Verdict: Smells

SmellsNeeds review
Rep. Stan GerdesRHouse 17
Why it's charged
Bracket bill

THE TEXT

“has a population of 750,000 or more; and”…

Bill text, Senate committee report version (S)

The population floor, combined with the adjacent-county test, aims the ban at one large city's utility and the groundwater districts next to it. The statement of intent itself names Austin and the Bastrop and Travis county area. Because the caption says 'certain' projects and the pitch openly names the target, this is a tag rather than a hidden rider.

Bracket bill

Needs review · Nov 1, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to a temporary prohibition on the authorization by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of the use of a Class V injection well for certain aquifer storage and recovery projects.

Caption from analyzed text · version S.

Summary

The statement of intent names Austin. The ban runs out December 31, 2027.

The bill temporarily bars the state environmental agency from approving Class V injection wells used to store and later pump back water underground. It applies only to projects run by a city-owned utility serving a city of 750,000 or more, in a county next to a county where a local groundwater district has passed a resolution calling these wells a risk to its aquifers. On the ground, such a city cannot get approval to inject water into wells in that groundwater district's territory until the ban expires on December 31, 2027.

Labels

Labels: GOT HALFWAY. Passed the House on May 13, 2025. Died in the Senate: voted out of the Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs committee 8-0, then taken up on the floor on May 28, 2025 and passed to third reading, with no final vote.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB1523 · 2024-12-05

SOLD BY

Rep. Stan GerdesRHouse 17

ITEM

relating to a temporary prohibition on the authorization by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of the use of a Class V injection well for certain aquifer storage and recovery projects.

WHAT IT DOES

The statement of intent names Austin. The ban runs out December 31, 2027.

The bill temporarily bars the state environmental agency from approving Class V injection wells used to store and later pump back water underground. It applies only to projects run by a city-owned utility serving a city of 750,000 or more, in a county next to a county where a local groundwater district has passed a resolution calling these wells a risk to its aquifers. On the ground, such a city cannot get approval to inject water into wells in that groundwater district's territory until the ban expires on December 31, 2027.

CHARGES

[x] BRACKET BILLanalysis confidence 70%

THE TEXT

“has a population of 750,000 or more; and”…

Bill text, Senate committee report version (S)

The population floor, combined with the adjacent-county test, aims the ban at one large city's utility and the groundwater districts next to it. The statement of intent itself names Austin and the Bastrop and Travis county area. Because the caption says 'certain' projects and the pitch openly names the target, this is a tag rather than a hidden rider.

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version S · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version S · May 23, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to Natural Resources
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Committee substitute considered in committee
  7. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  8. Left pending in committee
  9. Considered in formal meeting
  10. Committee substitute considered in committee
  11. Reported favorably as substituted
  12. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  13. Committee report distributed
  14. Committee report sent to Calendars
  15. Considered in Calendars
  16. Placed on General State Calendar
  17. Read 2nd time
  18. Amended 1-Gerdes
  19. Passed to engrossment as amended
  20. Record vote RV#2225
  21. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  22. Read 3rd time
  23. Passed
  24. Record vote RV#2291
  25. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  26. Reported engrossed
  27. Received from the House
  28. Read first time
  29. Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
  30. Posting rule suspended
  31. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  32. Considered in public hearing
  33. Testimony taken in committee
  34. Vote taken in committee
  35. Reported favorably as substituted
  36. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  37. Committee report printed and distributed
  38. Co-sponsor authorized
  39. Placed on intent calendar
  40. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  41. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  42. Record vote
  43. Read 2nd time
  44. Amendment(s) offered
  45. Amendment fails of adoption
  46. Record vote
  47. Passed to 3rd reading
  48. Record vote
  49. Removed from local & uncontested calendar
FILED UNDER

DATA CENTERS, WATER AND THE GRID

THE TEXT

“The commission may not authorize the use of a Class V injection well for an aquifer storage and recovery project operated by a municipally owned utility”…

Bill text, Senate committee report version (S)

The bill blocks a large city's utility from storing its water underground in a neighboring groundwater district's territory until the end of 2027.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 101 yea · 36 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 13, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Stan Gerdes

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$316KDustin Burrows Campaign$89KTexas Conservative Majority PAC$68K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 30, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$316,248.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$316,248.00

Cash
$220,000.00
Paid by others
$96,248.00
Total
$316,248.00
advertising $74,698.00polling $21,550.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Sep 29, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101010282, 101029052, 101035831, 101036569, 101070133.

Dustin Burrows Campaign$88,800.00

Dustin Burrows Campaign

$88,800.00

Cash
$75,000.00
Paid by others
$13,800.00
Total
$88,800.00
polling $13,800.00

Also funds 39 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 29, 2025 to Jan 26, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101029052, 101035831, 101036569.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$67,750.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$67,750.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$42,750.00
Total
$67,750.00
canvassing $35,000.00polling $7,750.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 13, 2026 to Feb 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101036569.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$316,248.00

Cash
$220,000.00
Paid by others
$96,248.00
Total
$316,248.00
advertising $74,698.00polling $21,550.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Sep 29, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101010282, 101029052, 101035831, 101036569, 101070133.

×

Dustin Burrows Campaign

$88,800.00

Cash
$75,000.00
Paid by others
$13,800.00
Total
$88,800.00
polling $13,800.00

Also funds 39 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 29, 2025 to Jan 26, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101029052, 101035831, 101036569.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$67,750.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$42,750.00
Total
$67,750.00
canvassing $35,000.00polling $7,750.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 13, 2026 to Feb 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101036569.

Votes5

Senate May 28, 2025

Yea
22
Nay
9
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

CSHB 1523 was passed to third reading by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 22 (published)
  • Nay: 9 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Yea
10
Nay
21
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

The amendment to CSHB 1523 was read and failed of adoption by the following vote: Yeas 10, Nays 21.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 10 (published)
  • Nay: 21 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Yea
22
Nay
9
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Schwertner moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSHB 1523 at this time on its second reading: CSHB 1523, Relating to a temporary prohibition on the authorization by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of the use of a Class V injection well for certain aquifer storage and recovery projects. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 22 (published)
  • Nay: 9 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 13, 2025

Yea
101
Nay
36
Present, not voting
2
Absent
5
Excused
6
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2291

HB 1523 was passed by (Record 2291): 101 Yeas, 36 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 101 (published)
  • Nay: 36 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 12, 2025

Yea
111
Nay
26
Present, not voting
1
Absent
5
Excused
7
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2225

CSHB 1523, as amended, was passed to engrossment by (Record 2225): 111 Yeas, 26 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 111 (published)
  • Nay: 26 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 7 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses17
For
9
Against
5
On
3
Names

For

  • Lost Pines GCD3 registrations
  • Self; City of Bastrop2 registrations
  • Self; City of bastrop1 registration
  • Self; Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance1 registration
  • Self; SAWDF1 registration
  • Self; Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense Fund1 registration

Against

  • City of Austin5 registrations

On

  • Self1 registration
  • TCEQ1 registration
  • Texas Commission on Environmental Quality1 registration
Sources

17 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version S · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version S · May 23, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version S by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Dec 5, 2024

05/28/2025 S Removed from local & uncontested calendar

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 1:40 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors
Charles SchwertnerRSenate 5
Cosponsors
Donna CampbellRSenate 25 Lois KolkhorstRSenate 18

House committee · Natural Resources · Committee vote 8 aye, 3 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs · Committee vote 8 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Subjects

City Government--Utilities

Environment--Water

Special Districts & Authorities--Groundwater Conserve Dist.

Special Districts & Authorities--Water & Utility

Water--Development

Water--General

CARRIZO-WILCOX AQUIFER (SS9N1)

INJECTION WELLS

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, TEXAS COMMISSION ON

Text

The text as introduced · 255 words

89R5657 JAM-D

By: Gerdes
H.B. No. 1523

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a prohibition on the authorization by the Texas

Commission on Environmental Quality of the use of a Class V

injection well for certain aquifer storage and recovery projects.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 27, Water Code, is amended

by adding Section 27.1535 to read as follows:

Sec. 27.1535. CERTAIN AUTHORIZATIONS PROHIBITED. (a) This

section applies only to a Class V injection well located in any

portion of the territory of a groundwater conservation district

that is located wholly or partly in a county that:

(1) has a population of more than 70,000 and less than

100,000 and contains a portion of the Colorado River; and

(2) is adjacent to a county that has a population of

one million or more.

(b) The commission may not authorize the use of a Class V

injection well for an aquifer storage and recovery project operated

by a municipally owned utility that primarily provides water to a

municipality that:

(1) has a population of 750,000 or more; and

(2) is located in a county adjacent to a county

described by Subsection (a).

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.