Monitoring the Session

HB 1690

bill requiring notice for groundwater export permits

Vetoed

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Stan GerdesRHouse 17

Initial review · graded Oct 22, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to an application for a permit for the transfer of groundwater out of a groundwater conservation district.

Caption from analyzed text · version S.

Summary

The applicant pays for certified mail and newspaper notice.

The bill requires groundwater conservation districts to adopt rules making applicants for permits to move groundwater out of the district give notice of their applications. The applicant pays for certified-mail notice to neighboring districts over the same aquifer, to affected county commissioners courts, and for newspaper notice in those counties. Starting September 1, 2025, neighboring districts and counties hear about export permit applications that could affect their groundwater.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB1690 · 2024-12-20

SOLD BY

Rep. Stan GerdesRHouse 17

ITEM

relating to an application for a permit for the transfer of groundwater out of a groundwater conservation district.

WHAT IT DOES

The applicant pays for certified mail and newspaper notice.

The bill requires groundwater conservation districts to adopt rules making applicants for permits to move groundwater out of the district give notice of their applications. The applicant pays for certified-mail notice to neighboring districts over the same aquifer, to affected county commissioners courts, and for newspaper notice in those counties. Starting September 1, 2025, neighboring districts and counties hear about export permit applications that could affect their groundwater.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 28, 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. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  7. Left pending in committee
  8. Considered in public hearing
  9. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  10. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  11. Committee report distributed
  12. Committee report sent to Calendars
  13. Considered in Calendars
  14. Placed on General State Calendar
  15. Read 2nd time
  16. Passed to engrossment
  17. Record vote RV#435
  18. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  19. Read 3rd time
  20. Passed
  21. Record vote RV#479
  22. Reported engrossed
  23. Received from the House
  24. Read first time
  25. Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
  26. Posting rule suspended
  27. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  28. Considered in public hearing
  29. Vote taken in committee
  30. Reported favorably as substituted
  31. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  32. Committee report printed and distributed
  33. Co-sponsor authorized
  34. Placed on intent calendar
  35. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  36. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  37. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  38. Vote recorded in Journal
  39. Three day rule suspended
  40. Record vote
  41. Read 3rd time
  42. Passed
  43. Record vote
  44. Co-sponsor authorized
  45. Senate passage as amended reported
  46. Senate Amendments distributed
  47. Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
  48. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)
  49. Record vote RV#4032
  50. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  51. Text of Senate Amendment(s)
  52. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
  53. Reported enrolled
  54. Signed in the House
  55. Signed in the Senate
  56. Sent to the Governor
  57. Vetoed by the Governor
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 141 yea · 4 nay

Senate · 30 yea · 1 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · Apr 24, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 27, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

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.

Votes6

House May 29, 2025

Yea
133
Nay
1
Present, not voting
1
Absent
9
Excused
6
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 4032

Representative Gerdes moved to concur in the senate amendments to HB 1690. The motion to concur in the senate amendments to HB 1690 prevailed by (Record 4032): 133 Yeas, 1 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 133 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 9 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 27, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
1
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

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

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. (Same as previous roll call)

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

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

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

Senate May 27, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
1
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

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

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Sources

Senator Kolkhorst moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSHB 1690 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.

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

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

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

Senate May 27, 2025

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

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

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

Senator Kolkhorst moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSHB 1690 at this time on its second reading: CSHB 1690, Relating to an application for a permit for the transfer of groundwater out of a groundwater conservation district. The motion prevailed. Senator Middleton asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business. The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by a viva voce vote.

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

  • Yea: Not printed
  • Nay: Not printed
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

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

House Apr 24, 2025

Yea
141
Nay
4
Present, not voting
2
Absent
2
Excused
1
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 479

HB 1690 was passed by (Record 479): 141 Yeas, 4 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 141 (published)
  • Nay: 4 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

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

House Apr 23, 2025

Yea
143
Nay
4
Present, not voting
3
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 435

HB 1690 was passed to engrossment by (Record 435): 143 Yeas, 4 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 143 (published)
  • Nay: 4 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses19
For
18
Against
0
On
1
Names

For

  • Bell County1 registration
  • Bell County Water Control & Improvement District #11 registration
  • EDF1 registration
  • Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club1 registration
  • Self1 registration
  • Self; Clearwater UWCD2 registrations
  • Self; Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance1 registration
  • Self; Farm and ranch freedom alliance1 registration
  • Self; Groundwater Conservation District clients of the firm.1 registration
  • Self; Lost Pines GCD and other clients of the firm1 registration
  • Self; Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense Fund2 registrations
  • Self; Texas Press Association1 registration
  • Self; Texas Public Policy Foundation1 registration
  • Self; Water Protection Association of Gonzales County1 registration
  • Texas Press Association2 registrations

On

  • Texas Commission on Environmental Quality1 registration
Sources

19 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 fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 28, 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 20, 2024

06/22/2025 E Vetoed by the Governor

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

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors
Lois KolkhorstRSenate 18
Cosponsors
Donna CampbellRSenate 25 Charles SchwertnerRSenate 5

House committee · Natural Resources · Committee vote 12 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

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

Subjects

Special Districts & Authorities--Groundwater Conserve Dist.

Special Districts & Authorities--Water & Utility

PERMITS

PUBLIC NOTICE

Text

The text as introduced · 196 words

89R5258 SCR-D

By: Gerdes
H.B. No. 1690

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an application for a permit for the transfer of

groundwater out of a groundwater conservation district.

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

SECTION 1. Section 36.122, Water Code, is amended by adding

Subsection (d-1) to read as follows:

(d-1) The district shall adopt rules requiring that notice

be given for an application filed to comply with this section. The

notice must be:

(1) paid for by the applicant;

(2) sent by certified mail to:

(A) each district that is adjacent to the

district considering the application;

(B) the commissioners court of each county in

which the district considering the application is located; and

(C) the commissioners court of each county in

which a district that receives notice under Paragraph (A) is

located; and

(3) published in:

(A) a newspaper of general circulation in the

county in which the district considering the application is

located; and

(B) a newspaper of general circulation in each

county in which a district that receives notice under Subdivision

(2)(A) is located.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.