Monitoring the Session

HB 5560

bill raising groundwater district penalties to $25,000 a day

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Cody HarrisRHouse 8

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 penalties in certain suits involving a groundwater conservation district; increasing a penalty.

Caption from analyzed text · version S.

Summary

Top fine goes from $10,000 to $25,000 per day per violation.

The bill raises the top civil penalty a groundwater conservation district can set for breaking its rules from $10,000 to $25,000 per day per violation. It also lets a court go above that cap when a violator made more money from the violation than the cap would take back, lists factors the court must weigh, and lets a court defer up to half a penalty if the violator spends the same amount fixing the problem. Water and sewer utilities that get penalized can ask the court to let them pass the penalty on to the customers who kept breaking the utility's drought plan, for suits filed on or after September 1, 2025.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB5560 · 2025-03-14

SOLD BY

Rep. Cody HarrisRHouse 8

+ 1 coauthor

ITEM

relating to penalties in certain suits involving a groundwater conservation district; increasing a penalty.

WHAT IT DOES

Top fine goes from $10,000 to $25,000 per day per violation.

The bill raises the top civil penalty a groundwater conservation district can set for breaking its rules from $10,000 to $25,000 per day per violation. It also lets a court go above that cap when a violator made more money from the violation than the cap would take back, lists factors the court must weigh, and lets a court defer up to half a penalty if the violator spends the same amount fixing the problem. Water and sewer utilities that get penalized can ask the court to let them pass the penalty on to the customers who kept breaking the utility's drought plan, for suits filed on or after September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 20, 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 formal meeting
  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#1686
  18. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  19. Read 3rd time
  20. Passed
  21. Record vote RV#1797
  22. Reported engrossed
  23. Received from the House
  24. Read first time
  25. Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
  26. Considered in public hearing
  27. Vote taken in committee
  28. Reported favorably as substituted
  29. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  30. Committee report printed and distributed
  31. Co-sponsor authorized
  32. Placed on intent calendar
  33. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  34. Vote recorded in Journal
  35. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  36. Vote recorded in Journal
  37. Three day rule suspended
  38. Record vote
  39. Read 3rd time
  40. Passed
  41. Record vote
  42. Senate passage as amended reported
  43. Senate Amendments distributed
  44. Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
  45. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)
  46. Record vote RV#4014
  47. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  48. Text of Senate Amendment(s)
  49. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
  50. Reported enrolled
  51. Signed in the House
  52. Signed in the Senate
  53. Sent to the Governor
  54. Signed by the Governor
  55. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 144 yea · 3 nay

Senate · 28 yea · 3 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 8, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 19, 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

Cody Harris

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$131KTexas Sands PAC$59KTexas REALTORS Political Action Committee$53K

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 31, 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.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$131,199.90

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$131,199.90

Cash
$65,000.00
Paid by others
$66,199.90
Total
$131,199.90
grassroots $56,899.90polling $9,300.00

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 27, 2025 to Sep 21, 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: 101008254, 101028696, 101039343, 101067574.

Texas Sands PAC$58,800.00

Texas Sands PAC

$58,800.00

Cash
$42,500.00
Paid by others
$16,300.00
Total
$58,800.00
polling $16,300.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 22, 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: 100985564, 101028696, 101039343, 101071425.

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee$52,590.39

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$52,590.39

Cash
$45,000.00
Paid by others
$7,590.39
Total
$52,590.39
digital $5,420.63text $1,960.28Other filed descriptions $209.48

Also funds 140 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 2, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Sep 21, 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: 100985564, 101008254, 101028696, 101035469, 101039343, 101057705, 101067574.

Money

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

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$131,199.90

Cash
$65,000.00
Paid by others
$66,199.90
Total
$131,199.90
grassroots $56,899.90polling $9,300.00

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 27, 2025 to Sep 21, 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: 101008254, 101028696, 101039343, 101067574.

×

Texas Sands PAC

$58,800.00

Cash
$42,500.00
Paid by others
$16,300.00
Total
$58,800.00
polling $16,300.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 22, 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: 100985564, 101028696, 101039343, 101071425.

×

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$52,590.39

Cash
$45,000.00
Paid by others
$7,590.39
Total
$52,590.39
digital $5,420.63text $1,960.28Other filed descriptions $209.48

Also funds 140 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 2, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Sep 21, 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: 100985564, 101008254, 101028696, 101035469, 101039343, 101057705, 101067574.

Votes6

House May 29, 2025

Yea
125
Nay
4
Present, not voting
3
Absent
13
Excused
5
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 4014

Representative Buckley moved to concur in the senate amendments to HB 5560. The motion to concur in the senate amendments to HB 5560 prevailed by (Record 4014): 125 Yeas, 4 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 125 (published)
  • Nay: 4 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 13 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 5 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 19, 2025

Yea
28
Nay
3
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 bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3. (Same as previous roll call)

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

  • Yea: 28 (published)
  • Nay: 3 (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 19, 2025

Yea
28
Nay
3
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 Perry moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSHB 5560 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3.

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

  • Yea: 28 (published)
  • Nay: 3 (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 19, 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 Perry moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSHB 5560 at this time on its second reading: CSHB 5560, Relating to penalties in certain suits involving a groundwater conservation district; increasing a penalty. The motion prevailed. Senators Hagenbuch, Hughes, and 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 May 8, 2025

Yea
144
Nay
3
Present, not voting
2
Absent
1
Excused
0
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1797

HB 5560 was passed by (Record 1797): 144 Yeas, 3 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 144 (published)
  • Nay: 3 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

House May 7, 2025

Yea
134
Nay
5
Present, not voting
2
Absent
6
Excused
3
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1686

HB 5560 was passed to engrossment by (Record 1686): 134 Yeas, 5 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 134 (published)
  • Nay: 5 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 6 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses10
For
8
Against
2
On
0
Names

For

  • Environmental Defense Fund1 registration
  • Middle Trinity GCD, Clearwater UWCD; North Texas GCD; Northern Trinity GCD; Middle Pecos GCD; Central Texas GCD1 registration
  • Self1 registration
  • Self; Chispa Texas1 registration
  • Self; South Texans’ Property Rights Association1 registration
  • Sierra Club1 registration
  • Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts1 registration
  • Texas chapter US Green Building Council1 registration

Against

  • Self; Texas Association of Water Companies1 registration
  • Self; Wimberley water Supply Corp1 registration
Sources

10 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

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 20, 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 Mar 14, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

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.

Coauthors
Carrie IsaacRHouse 73
Sponsors
Charles PerryRSenate 28
Cosponsors
Donna CampbellRSenate 25 Sarah EckhardtDSenate 14

House committee · Natural Resources · Committee vote 11 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee

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

Companion

SB 2661 by Perry (identical)

Subjects

Civil Remedies & Liabilities

Special Districts & Authorities--Groundwater Conserve Dist.

Special Districts & Authorities--Water & Utility

Water--Conservation (I097L)

Text

The text as introduced · 291 words

89R14601 ANG-F

By: Harris
H.B. No. 5560

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to penalties in certain suits involving a groundwater

conservation district; increasing a penalty.

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

SECTION 1. Section 36.102, Water Code, is amended by

amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (f) to read as

follows:

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (f), the [ The ] board by

rule may set reasonable civil penalties that the district may

recover from [ against ] any person for breach of any rule of the

district in an amount not to exceed $25,000 [ $10,000 ] per day per

violation, and each day of a continuing violation constitutes a

separate violation.

(f) In an enforcement action brought by a district against a

person, the court may assess a penalty greater than the maximum

penalty authorized under Subsection (b) if the court determines

that the person gained an economic benefit as a result of the

violation that was greater than the maximum penalty under

Subsection (b). A penalty assessed under this subsection must be in

an amount determined by the court to be necessary and appropriate to

outweigh the economic benefit gained by the person as a result of

the violation and discourage future violations.

SECTION 2. Section 36.102, Water Code, as amended by this

Act, applies only to a suit involving a groundwater conservation

district that is filed on or after the effective date of this Act. A

suit filed before the effective date of this Act is subject to the

law in effect on the date the suit is filed, and that law is

continued in effect for that purpose.

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