SB 1663: faster groundwater contamination notices, wider circle

Caption

relating to notification procedures concerning groundwater contamination.

Summary

Every residence within one mile. No later than 30 days.

The bill tells the state environmental commission to send groundwater contamination notices as soon as practicable, and still no later than 30 days after it learns of the contamination. It touches private drinking water well owners, groundwater conservation districts, and now every residence within one mile of the contamination site. Notice can go by first class mail, e-mail, a notice on the door, or another effective method, so more nearby households should hear about contamination faster.

Labels

Labels: CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author Judith Zaffirini (D) in the Senate. Lead sponsor Ryan Guillen (R) in the House. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB1663 · 2025-02-26

SOLD BY

Sen. Judith ZaffiriniDSenate 21

ITEM

relating to notification procedures concerning groundwater contamination.

WHAT IT DOES

Every residence within one mile. No later than 30 days.

The bill tells the state environmental commission to send groundwater contamination notices as soon as practicable, and still no later than 30 days after it learns of the contamination. It touches private drinking water well owners, groundwater conservation districts, and now every residence within one mile of the contamination site. Notice can go by first class mail, e-mail, a notice on the door, or another effective method, so more nearby households should hear about contamination faster.

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

Feb 26, 2025Received by the Secretary of the Senate
Feb 26, 2025Filed
Mar 11, 2025Read first time
Mar 11, 2025Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
Apr 7, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Apr 7, 2025Considered in public hearing
Apr 7, 2025Testimony taken in committee
Apr 7, 2025Vote taken in committee
Apr 7, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendments
Apr 7, 2025Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
Apr 7, 2025Committee report printed and distributed
Apr 16, 2025Placed on local & uncontested calendar
Apr 16, 2025Laid before the Senate
Apr 16, 2025Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
Apr 16, 2025Vote recorded in Journal
Apr 16, 2025Three day rule suspended
Apr 16, 2025Record vote
Apr 16, 2025Read 3rd time
Apr 16, 2025Passed
Apr 16, 2025Record vote
Apr 16, 2025Reported engrossed
Apr 17, 2025Received from the Senate
Apr 22, 2025Read first time
Apr 22, 2025Referred to Natural Resources
May 7, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
May 7, 2025Considered in public hearing
May 7, 2025Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
May 7, 2025Left pending in committee
May 15, 2025Considered in formal meeting
May 15, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
May 20, 2025Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
May 20, 2025Committee report distributed
May 21, 2025Committee report sent to Calendars
May 22, 2025Considered in Calendars
May 24, 2025Placed on General State Calendar
May 27, 2025Read 2nd time
May 27, 2025Passed to 3rd reading
May 27, 2025Record vote RV#3615
May 27, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 27, 2025Read 3rd time
May 27, 2025Passed
May 27, 2025Record vote RV#3656
May 27, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 27, 2025House passage reported
May 27, 2025Reported enrolled
May 28, 2025Signed in the Senate
May 30, 2025Signed in the House
May 30, 2025Sent to the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Signed by the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Effective on 9/1/25

FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 111 yea · 29 nay

Senate · 30 yea · 1 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 27, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · Apr 16, 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

Judith Zaffirini

Donors

Carlos M. Zaffirini Jr$110,000Killam Development Ltd.$73K Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$60K

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.

Carlos M. Zaffirini Jr$110,000.00

Killam Development Ltd.$72,700.00

Killam Development Ltd.

$72,700.00

Cash: $10,000.00
Paid by others: $62,700.00
Total: $72,700.00

advertising $33,000.00media $29,700.00

Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Dec 9, 2024 to Sep 28, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

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

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 16, 2025 to Aug 20, 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: 101011018, 101057658.

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$60,000.00

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$60,000.00

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

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 11, 2024 to Aug 31, 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: 100959783, 100987492, 101011018, 101035338, 101057658.

Money

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

×

Killam Development Ltd.

$72,700.00

Cash: $10,000.00
Paid by others: $62,700.00
Total: $72,700.00

advertising $33,000.00media $29,700.00

Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Dec 9, 2024 to Sep 28, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

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

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 16, 2025 to Aug 20, 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: 101011018, 101057658.

×

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$60,000.00

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

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 11, 2024 to Aug 31, 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: 100959783, 100987492, 101011018, 101035338, 101057658.

Votes5

House May 27, 2025

Yea: 111
Nay: 29
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 5
Excused: 3

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3656

SB 1663 was passed by (Record 3656): 111 Yeas, 29 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 111 (published)
Nay: 29 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

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

House May 27, 2025

Yea: 118
Nay: 25
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 4
Excused: 1

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3615

SB 1663 was passed to third reading by (Record 3615): 118 Yeas, 25 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 118 (published)
Nay: 25 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Apr 16, 2025

Final passage

Yea: 30
Nay: 1
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

HallNay

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.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records final passage. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

SB 1663 (Zaffirini) Relating to notification procedures concerning groundwater contamination. (viva voce vote) (30-1) "Nay" Hall (30-1) "Nay" Hall

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.

Senate Apr 16, 2025

Suspension of the three-day rule

Yea: 30
Nay: 1
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

HallNay

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.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records suspension of the three-day rule. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

SB 1663 (Zaffirini) Relating to notification procedures concerning groundwater contamination. (viva voce vote) (30-1) "Nay" Hall (30-1) "Nay" Hall

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.

Senate Apr 16, 2025

Passage to engrossment

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

Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records passage to engrossment. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

SB 1663 (Zaffirini) Relating to notification procedures concerning groundwater contamination. (viva voce vote) (30-1) "Nay" Hall (30-1) "Nay" Hall

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.

Witnesses12

For: 11
Against: 0
On: 1

Names

For

City of Houston1 registration
Environmental defense fund1 registration
Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance1 registration
Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club1 registration
Methodist Healthcare Ministries1 registration
Self2 registrations
Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter1 registration
Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops1 registration
Texas Rural Water Association1 registration
The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops1 registration

On

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality1 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.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

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 26, 2025

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

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.

Companion

HB 5207 by Guillen (identical)

Subjects

Environment--Water

Health--General

EMAIL & ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

PUBLIC NOTICE

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, TEXAS COMMISSION ON

Text

The text as introduced · 164 words

89R10648 KRM-D

By: Zaffirini
S.B. No. 1663

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to notification procedures concerning groundwater

contamination.

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

SECTION 1. Section 26.408(b), Water Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(b) As soon as practicable but not [ Not ] later than the 30th

day after the date the commission receives notice under Subsection

(a) or obtains independent knowledge of groundwater contamination,

the commission shall make every effort to give notice of the

contamination by first class mail , e-mail, notice placed on the

door of a residence, or another effective delivery method to :

(1) each owner of a private drinking water well that

may be affected by the contamination ;

(2) [ and to ] each applicable groundwater conservation

district ; and

(3) the residents of each residential address within

one mile of the site of the contamination .

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

Verdict: No flags

The receipt

SOLD BY

ITEM

WHAT IT DOES

CHARGES

TOTAL

HISTORY

SIGNED FOR BY

Donors

Killam Development Ltd.

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

Killam Development Ltd.

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

House May 27, 2025

House May 27, 2025

Senate Apr 16, 2025

Senate Apr 16, 2025

Senate Apr 16, 2025

For

On

Companion