HB 5518
bill to let the state waive two water right requirements
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to the procedure for action on certain applications for an amendment to a water right.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Only if it hurts neither the environment nor other permit holders.
The bill lets the state environmental agency waive two specific requirements, listed elsewhere in the water rights law, when someone applies to amend a water right. The agency can grant the waiver only if it finds the waiver would not hurt the environment or the rights of other water permit and certificate holders. The change covers new applications and ones already pending when the law takes effect, either immediately with a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 14, 2025 and referred to the House Natural Resources committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB5518 · 2025-03-14
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to the procedure for action on certain applications for an amendment to a water right.
WHAT IT DOES
Only if it hurts neither the environment nor other permit holders.
The bill lets the state environmental agency waive two specific requirements, listed elsewhere in the water rights law, when someone applies to amend a water right. The agency can grant the waiver only if it finds the waiver would not hurt the environment or the rights of other water permit and certificate holders. The change covers new applications and ones already pending when the law takes effect, either immediately with a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Natural Resources
FILED UNDER
DATA CENTERS, WATER AND THE GRID
THE TEXT
“The commission may waive a requirement described by Subsection (b-3)(3)(B) or (F) if the commission makes a finding”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill gives the state water regulator discretion to skip certain review requirements for water right amendments, which affects how easily holders can change their water use.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
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 · Jul 9, 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 Truth and Liberty PAC$50,000.00
Texans for Truth and Liberty PAC
$50,000.00
- Cash
- $50,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $50,000.00
Also funds 44 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 8, 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: 101007659, 101072052.
Dustin Burrows Campaign$27,600.00
Dustin Burrows Campaign
$27,600.00
- Cash
- $0.00
- Paid by others
- $27,600.00
- Total
- $27,600.00
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.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · on Aug 5, 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: 101068080.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texans for Truth and Liberty PAC
$50,000.00
- Cash
- $50,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $50,000.00
Also funds 44 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 8, 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: 101007659, 101072052.
Dustin Burrows Campaign
$27,600.00
- Cash
- $0.00
- Paid by others
- $27,600.00
- Total
- $27,600.00
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.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · on Aug 5, 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: 101068080.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
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 14, 2025
04/07/2025 H Referred to Natural Resources: Apr 7 2025 5:28PM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Natural Resources · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
Water--Rights
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, TEXAS COMMISSION ON
Text
The text as introduced · 200 words
89R16264 CMO-D By: Darby H.B. No. 5518 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the procedure for action on certain applications for an amendment to a water right. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 11.122, Water Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-4) to read as follows: (b-4) The commission may waive a requirement described by Subsection (b-3)(3)(B) or (F) if the commission makes a finding that the waiver would not adversely affect: (1) the environment; or (2) the rights of another person who holds a permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication issued under Section 11.323. SECTION 2. This Act applies to an application to amend a water right that is filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on or after the effective date of this Act or is pending as of the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. 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.