HB 4329: Drainage Bill Orders A Study, Then Expires In 2027

Caption

relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board of factors that affect the costs of developing drainage infrastructure in this state.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

A report due January 1, 2027. No money, projects or rules come with it.

The bill orders the Texas Water Development Board to study what drives the cost of building drainage infrastructure in Texas. The board must send the legislature a written report comparing those costs across different areas of the state by January 1, 2027. Nothing else changes on the ground; no money, projects or rules come with it, and the law expires September 1, 2027.

Labels

Labels: ACROSS THE AISLE. Joint authors: 1 Republican, 4 Democrats. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.QUICK READ: 132 WORDS. The bill as filed runs 132 words, counting the existing law it amends and the text it strikes. The median 89R bill as filed runs 441 words (derived, 8,702 graded bills, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).GOT HALFWAY. Passed the House on May 10, 2025. Died in the Senate: received, never referred to a committee.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB4329 · 2025-03-11

SOLD BY

Rep. Janie LopezRHouse 37

Rep. Mary E. GonzálezDHouse 75

Rep. Oscar LongoriaDHouse 35

+ 2 more authors, 14 coauthors

ITEM

relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board of factors that affect the costs of developing drainage infrastructure in this state.

WHAT IT DOES

A report due January 1, 2027. No money, projects or rules come with it.

The bill orders the Texas Water Development Board to study what drives the cost of building drainage infrastructure in Texas. The board must send the legislature a written report comparing those costs across different areas of the state by January 1, 2027. Nothing else changes on the ground; no money, projects or rules come with it, and the law expires September 1, 2027.

CHARGES

[x] STUDY, TASK FORCE, COMMISSION, REPORTanalysis confidence 90%

THE TEXT

“prepare and submit to the legislature a written report on the relative costs of developing drainage infrastructure”…

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The bill's only action is a study and a report due January 1, 2027. Any drainage work waits on later action. The caption honestly says it is a study.

TOTAL

Net to General Revenue · FY 2026($800,000)

LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version H · ( ) = negative · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version H · May 2, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB4329, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($800,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

First year · FY 2026 · ($800,000)

Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

Mar 11, 2025Filed
Apr 1, 2025Read first time
Apr 1, 2025Referred to Natural Resources
Apr 9, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Apr 9, 2025Considered in public hearing
Apr 9, 2025Committee substitute considered in committee
Apr 9, 2025Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
Apr 9, 2025Left pending in committee
Apr 29, 2025Considered in formal meeting
Apr 29, 2025Committee substitute considered in committee
Apr 29, 2025Recommended to be sent to Local & Consent
Apr 29, 2025Reported favorably as substituted
May 5, 2025Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
May 5, 2025Committee report distributed
May 6, 2025Comm. report sent to Local & Consent Calendar
May 8, 2025Considered in Local & Consent Calendars
May 10, 2025Placed on Local, Consent, and Res. Calendar
May 10, 2025Read 2nd time
May 10, 2025Passed to engrossment
May 10, 2025Nonrecord vote recorded in Journal
May 10, 2025Read 3rd time
May 10, 2025Passed
May 10, 2025Record vote RV#1985
May 10, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 10, 2025Nonrecord vote recorded in Journal
May 10, 2025Reported engrossed
May 12, 2025Received from the House

FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 87 yea · 41 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 10, 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

Janie Lopez

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$504K Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$489K Texas Conservative Majority PAC$487K

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 27, 2024 to Oct 24, 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$504,349.82

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$504,349.82

Cash: $45,000.00
Paid by others: $459,349.82
Total: $504,349.82

advertising $380,541.56mail $48,297.91polling $30,510.35

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 · Oct 31, 2024 to Oct 6, 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: 100977055, 101010818, 101036578, 101036586, 101058662, 101067886, 101070167.

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$488,665.88

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$488,665.88

Cash: $0.00
Paid by others: $488,665.88
Total: $488,665.88

television $202,708.00mailers $127,420.46mailer $47,655.97digital $47,523.75canvassing $20,149.00polling $16,200.00Other filed descriptions $10,991.57text $10,252.13radio $5,765.00

Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.

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

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 4, 2024 to Oct 22, 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: 100977055, 101010818, 101035068, 101036578, 101036586, 101067886, 101070167.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$486,622.50

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$486,622.50

Cash: $50,000.00
Paid by others: $436,622.50
Total: $486,622.50

advertising $181,100.00canvassing $140,822.50media $100,000.00polling $5,800.00Other filed descriptions $5,000.00texting $3,900.00

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 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.

Report IDs: 101036586, 101067886, 101070167.

Money

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

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$504,349.82

Cash: $45,000.00
Paid by others: $459,349.82
Total: $504,349.82

advertising $380,541.56mail $48,297.91polling $30,510.35

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 · Oct 31, 2024 to Oct 6, 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: 100977055, 101010818, 101036578, 101036586, 101058662, 101067886, 101070167.

×

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$488,665.88

Cash: $0.00
Paid by others: $488,665.88
Total: $488,665.88

television $202,708.00mailers $127,420.46mailer $47,655.97digital $47,523.75canvassing $20,149.00polling $16,200.00Other filed descriptions $10,991.57text $10,252.13radio $5,765.00

Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.

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

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 4, 2024 to Oct 22, 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: 100977055, 101010818, 101035068, 101036578, 101036586, 101067886, 101070167.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$486,622.50

Cash: $50,000.00
Paid by others: $436,622.50
Total: $486,622.50

advertising $181,100.00canvassing $140,822.50media $100,000.00polling $5,800.00Other filed descriptions $5,000.00texting $3,900.00

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 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.

Report IDs: 101036586, 101067886, 101070167.

Votes1

House May 10, 2025

Yea: 87
Nay: 41
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 7
Excused: 11

Names

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

House journal

The shared roll contains conflicting member evidence. Those positions remain conflicting.

Holt is listed as excused in the shared roll and nay in this bill's list. That position remains conflicting.

Troxclair is listed as excused in the shared roll and nay in this bill's list. That position remains conflicting.

Sources

Record 1985

HB 4329 (Alders, Bonnen, Buckley, Bumgarner, Cain, Capriglione, Cunningham, Curry, DeAyala, Dyson, Harrison, Holt, Hopper, Hull, Isaac, LaHood, Leach, Leo Wilson, Little, Lowe, Luther, McQueeney, Money, Morgan, Noble, Olcott, Oliverson, Patterson, Pierson, Richardson, Schatzline, Schoolcraft, Shofner, Slawson, Swanson, Tinderholt, Toth, Troxclair, Vasut, Villalobos, Virdell, Wharton, and Wilson - no) (87 - 41 - 2)

Shared roll motion

The following bills which were considered on second reading on the previous legislative day on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar were laid before the house, read third time, and passed by the following record vote (members registering votes and the results of the vote are shown following the bill number). (Record 1985): 128 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 87 (published)
Nay: 41 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 7 (derived from named list)
Excused: 11 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses12

For: 11
Against: 0
On: 1

Names

For

Brownsville Public Utilities Board1 registration
Cameron County Drainage District No. 51 registration
City of Harlingen2 registrations
City of Palm Valley1 registration
City of San Benito2 registrations
Lone star chapter sierra club1 registration
Self1 registration
Self; Cameron County Drain Dist 51 registration
Self; Texas chapter of US Green Building Council1 registration

On

Texas Water Development Board1 registration

Sources

12 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.

Fiscal

Net to General Revenue · FY 2026($800,000)

LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version H · ( ) = negative · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version H · May 2, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB4329, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($800,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

First year · FY 2026 · ($800,000)

Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Mar 11, 2025

05/12/2025 S Received from the House

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 3:12 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors

Alma A. AllenDHouse 131

Rhetta Andrews BowersDHouse 113

Briscoe CainRHouse 128

Terry CanalesDHouse 40

Erin GámezDHouse 38

Ryan GuillenRHouse 31

Stan KitzmanRHouse 85

J. M. LozanoRHouse 43

John LujanRHouse 118

Penny Morales ShawDHouse 148

Eddie MoralesDHouse 74

Sergio Muñoz Jr.DHouse 36

Richard Peña RaymondDHouse 42

Charlene Ward JohnsonDHouse 139

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

Subjects

Disaster Preparedness & Relief

Interim Studies

State Finances--Management & Control

Water--Development

Water--General

FLOODS

GENERAL LAND OFFICE

WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD, TEXAS

Text

The text as introduced · 132 words

89R14358 CMO-F

By: Lopez of Cameron
H.B. No. 4329

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board of factors

that affect the costs of developing drainage infrastructure in this

state.

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

SECTION 1. Not later than January 1, 2027, the Texas Water

Development Board shall:

(1) identify and study factors that affect the costs

of developing drainage infrastructure in this state; and

(2) prepare and submit to the legislature a written

report on the relative costs of developing drainage infrastructure

in different areas of this state based on the factors identified and

studied under Subdivision (1).

SECTION 2. This Act expires September 1, 2027.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Verdict: Smells

The receipt

SOLD BY

ITEM

WHAT IT DOES

CHARGES

TOTAL

HISTORY

SIGNED FOR BY

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

House May 10, 2025

For

On