SB 1623
groundwater rights get a route into the Texas Water Trust
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 dedication of certain water rights to the Texas Water Trust.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Local groundwater districts get a sign-off when it happens.
The bill rewrites the rule for how water rights get placed into the Texas Water Trust, a state trust that holds dedicated water rights. Surface water dedications still go through the commission with input from the board, Parks and Wildlife, and optionally the Department of Agriculture, while groundwater dedications must be approved by the board and reviewed and acknowledged by the local groundwater district that regulates wells in that aquifer. On the ground, groundwater rights can be placed in the trust through a set process, and local groundwater districts get a formal sign-off role when that happens, starting September 1, 2025.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Feb 25, 2025 and referred to the Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-SB1623 · 2025-02-25
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to the dedication of certain water rights to the Texas Water Trust.
WHAT IT DOES
Local groundwater districts get a sign-off when it happens.
The bill rewrites the rule for how water rights get placed into the Texas Water Trust, a state trust that holds dedicated water rights. Surface water dedications still go through the commission with input from the board, Parks and Wildlife, and optionally the Department of Agriculture, while groundwater dedications must be approved by the board and reviewed and acknowledged by the local groundwater district that regulates wells in that aquifer. On the ground, groundwater rights can be placed in the trust through a set process, and local groundwater districts get a formal sign-off role when that happens, starting September 1, 2025.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
LBB estimate · fiscal note version I · source
Sources
Fiscal note · version I · April 3, 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
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
FILED UNDER
DATA CENTERS, WATER AND THE GRID
THE TEXT
“The dedication of any groundwater rights placed in trust must be reviewed and approved by the board”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill sets who must approve placing groundwater rights into the state water trust, which shapes who controls that water.
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 1, 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.
Texas Sands PAC$129,500.00
Texas Sands PAC
$129,500.00
- Cash
- $129,500.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $129,500.00
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.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Nov 27, 2024 to May 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: 100990378, 101033698, 101040111, 101052272.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texas Sands PAC
$129,500.00
- Cash
- $129,500.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $129,500.00
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.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Nov 27, 2024 to May 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: 100990378, 101033698, 101040111, 101052272.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
LBB estimate · fiscal note version I · source
Sources
Fiscal note · version I · April 3, 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 I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas Senate · Filed Feb 25, 2025
03/10/2025 S Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Senate committee · Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
Property Interests--Trusts
Water--Rights
TRUSTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, TEXAS COMMISSION ON
WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD, TEXAS
Text
The text as introduced · 188 words
2025S0131-1 02/21/25 By: Johnson S.B. No. 1623 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the dedication of certain water rights to the Texas Water Trust. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 15.7031(c), Water Code, is amended to read as follows: (c) The dedication of any surface water rights placed in trust must be reviewed and approved by the commission, in consultation with the board and the Parks and Wildlife Department. In addition, the Department of Agriculture may provide input to the commission, as appropriate, during the review and approval process for dedication of surface water rights. The dedication of any groundwater rights placed in trust must be reviewed and approved by the board and reviewed and acknowledged by any district or authority created under Section 52, Article III, or Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, that has the authority to regulate the spacing of water wells, the production from water wells, or both in the aquifer, subdivision of an aquifer, or geologic stratum where the groundwater rights are located. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.