Monitoring the Session

SB 1253

builders who save water get impact fee credits

Vetoed

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Sen. Charles PerryRSenate 28

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 impact and production fees for certain water projects and to the regulation of certain wells; authorizing a fee.

Caption from analyzed text · version F.

Summary

For facilities that save or reuse water.

The bill requires cities, counties and other local bodies that charge water and wastewater impact fees to give builders a credit when they install facilities, systems or products that save or reuse water. It also rewrites the fee rules for one special water district, keeping a $1,000 cap on new connection fees, setting a 30-cent-per-1,000-gallon cap on its well production fee, and raising that cap by five percent every year starting January 1, 2026. Developers who build water-saving features can pay less in impact fees, while water utilities pumping in that district face a production fee ceiling that climbs automatically each year.

Labels

Labels: FEE INCLUDED. The caption of the graded version (enrolled) reads: “relating to impact and production fees for certain water projects and to the regulation of certain wells; authorizing a fee.”

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB1253 · 2025-02-12

SOLD BY

Sen. Charles PerryRSenate 28

+ 2 coauthors

ITEM

relating to impact and production fees for certain water projects and to the regulation of certain wells; authorizing a fee.

WHAT IT DOES

For facilities that save or reuse water.

The bill requires cities, counties and other local bodies that charge water and wastewater impact fees to give builders a credit when they install facilities, systems or products that save or reuse water. It also rewrites the fee rules for one special water district, keeping a $1,000 cap on new connection fees, setting a 30-cent-per-1,000-gallon cap on its well production fee, and raising that cap by five percent every year starting January 1, 2026. Developers who build water-saving features can pay less in impact fees, while water utilities pumping in that district face a production fee ceiling that climbs automatically each year.

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 21, 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. Received by the Secretary of the Senate
  2. Filed
  3. Read first time
  4. Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
  5. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  6. Considered in public hearing
  7. Testimony taken in committee
  8. Vote taken in committee
  9. Reported favorably as substituted
  10. Committee report printed and distributed
  11. Placed on intent calendar
  12. Co-author authorized
  13. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  14. Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
  15. Vote recorded in Journal
  16. Three day rule suspended
  17. Record vote
  18. Read 3rd time
  19. Passed
  20. Record vote
  21. Reported engrossed
  22. Received from the Senate
  23. Read first time
  24. Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs
  25. Considered in formal meeting
  26. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  27. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  28. Committee report distributed
  29. Committee report sent to Calendars
  30. Considered in Calendars
  31. Placed on General State Calendar
  32. Read 2nd time
  33. Amended 1-C. Bell
  34. Record vote RV#3066
  35. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  36. Passed to 3rd reading as amended
  37. Record vote RV#3067
  38. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  39. Read 3rd time
  40. Amended 1-Romero
  41. Passed as amended
  42. Record vote RV#3126
  43. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  44. Motion to reconsider fails
  45. Record vote RV#3184
  46. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  47. House passage as amended reported
  48. House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
  49. Read
  50. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
  51. Record vote
  52. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
  53. Reported enrolled
  54. Signed in the Senate
  55. Signed in the House
  56. Sent to the Governor
  57. Vetoed by the Governor
FILED UNDER

DEBT AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS

THE TEXT

“Beginning January 1, 2026, and continuing on January 1 of each subsequent year, the maximum amount of the fee described by Subsection (c) increases by five percent from the previous year's maximum amount.”

Bill text, enrolled version (F)

The bill gives one special district a production fee cap that rises five percent every year with no further vote by the Legislature.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 112 yea · 28 nay

Senate · 30 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 21, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · Mar 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

Charles Perry

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$60KRyan Texas PAC$35KFort Stockton Holdings LP$25K

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 1, 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$60,000.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$60,000.00

Cash
$60,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$60,000.00

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 · Nov 13, 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.

Report IDs: 100983698, 101007598, 101030579, 101072377.

Ryan Texas PAC$35,000.00

Ryan Texas PAC

$35,000.00

Cash
$35,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$35,000.00

Also funds 25 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 23, 2024 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Mar 12, 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: 100983698, 101057700.

Fort Stockton Holdings LP$25,000.00

Fort Stockton Holdings LP

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

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

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

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Nov 23, 2024. 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: 100983698.

Money

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

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$60,000.00

Cash
$60,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$60,000.00

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 · Nov 13, 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.

Report IDs: 100983698, 101007598, 101030579, 101072377.

×

Ryan Texas PAC

$35,000.00

Cash
$35,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$35,000.00

Also funds 25 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 23, 2024 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Mar 12, 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: 100983698, 101057700.

×

Fort Stockton Holdings LP

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

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

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

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Nov 23, 2024. 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: 100983698.

Votes8

Senate May 26, 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 Perry moved to concur in the House amendments to SB 1253. 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.

House May 21, 2025

Yea
57
Nay
73
Present, not voting
2
Absent
12
Excused
6
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3184

Representative Isaac moved to reconsider the vote by which SB 1253, as amended, was passed by Record No. 3126. The motion to reconsider was lost by (Record 3184): 57 Yeas, 73 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 57 (published)
  • Nay: 73 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 12 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

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

House May 21, 2025

Yea
112
Nay
28
Present, not voting
2
Absent
2
Excused
6
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3126

SB 1253, as amended, was passed by (Record 3126): 112 Yeas, 28 Nays, 2 Present, not voting. (A motion to reconsider failed later today by Record No. 3184.)

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

  • Yea: 112 (published)
  • Nay: 28 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

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

House May 20, 2025

Yea
96
Nay
34
Present, not voting
3
Absent
3
Excused
14
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3067

SB 1253, as amended, was passed to third reading by (Record 3067): 96 Yeas, 34 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 96 (published)
  • Nay: 34 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 14 (derived from named list)

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

House May 20, 2025

Yea
132
Nay
1
Present, not voting
3
Absent
0
Excused
14
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3066

Amendment No. 1 was adopted by (Record 3066): 132 Yeas, 1 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 132 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 14 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Mar 27, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
1
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 0. (Same as previous roll call)

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

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Mar 27, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
1
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 Perry moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 1253 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.

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

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Mar 27, 2025

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

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment 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: 1 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses14
For
13
Against
1
On
0
Names

For

  • City of Houston1 registration
  • Greyter Water Systems1 registration
  • Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club1 registration
  • Self1 registration
  • Self; Dallas Builders Association1 registration
  • Self; Greater Houston Builders Association1 registration
  • Self; Home builders association of greater austin1 registration
  • Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association1 registration
  • Texas Apartment Association1 registration
  • Texas Association of Builders1 registration
  • Texas Farm Bureau1 registration
  • Texas Mortgage Bankers Association1 registration
  • Texas Society of Architects1 registration

Against

  • San Antonio Water System1 registration
Sources

14 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

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

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 21, 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 F by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas Senate · Filed Feb 12, 2025

06/22/2025 E Vetoed by the Governor

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

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

Coauthors
Carol AlvaradoDSenate 6 Sarah EckhardtDSenate 14
Sponsors
Cecil Bell Jr.RHouse 3

House committee · Intergovernmental Affairs · Committee vote 9 aye, 1 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs · Committee vote 6 aye, 0 nay, 3 absent · Out of committee

Companion

HB 3875 by Bell, Cecil (identical)

Subjects

City Government--General

County Government--General

Fees & Other Nontax Revenue--Local

Political Subdivisions

Water--Conservation (I097L)

Text

The text as introduced · 254 words

89R12881 DNC-F

By: Perry
S.B. No. 1253

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the authority of a political subdivision to provide

credits against impact fees to builders and developers for certain

water conservation and reuse projects.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 395, Local Government

Code, is amended by adding Section 395.0231 to read as follows:

Sec. 395.0231. CONSERVATION AND REUSE CREDITS AGAINST WATER

AND WASTEWATER FEES. (a) A political subdivision may provide a

credit against water and wastewater impact fees otherwise assessed

to a development to a builder or developer for the construction,

contribution, or dedication of an eligible facility, system, or

product that results in water reuse, conservation, or savings.

(b) A facility, system, or product eligible for a credit

under this section includes a facility, system, or product that:

(1) reduces per service unit water consumption, supply

requirements, or necessary treatment and distribution

infrastructure per service unit;

(2) decreases the need of wastewater collection and

treatment facilities per service unit;

(3) diminishes the demand for stormwater, drainage,

and flood control facilities per service unit; or

(4) integrates practices or technologies that achieve

water efficiency, reuse, or conservation performance that exceed

standard compliance requirements.

(c) A political subdivision that provides a credit under

this section shall establish procedures for:

(1) calculating and applying the credits in a fair and

consistent manner; and

(2) reviewing and approving credits under this

section.

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