Monitoring the Session

SB 2078

bill letting some counties ban composting near water supplies

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Sen. Lois KolkhorstRSenate 18

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 regulation of composting facilities by certain counties.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

No composting within 3,281 feet of a stream that may feed a city.

The bill lets some Texas counties ban composting facilities within 3,281 feet of a stream, drain, recharge feature or tributary that may feed a city's water supply. It covers only counties that contain no city requiring restaurants to divert food waste from landfills, and it touches composting operators that handle yard waste, wood, manure, meat, carcasses, dairy and oils. On the ground, those counties gain a new power to keep composting sites away from water sources starting September 1, 2025.

Labels

Labels: NO AUTOGRAPH. Became law without the governor's signature on Jun 22, 2025.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB2078 · 2025-03-07

SOLD BY

Sen. Lois KolkhorstRSenate 18

ITEM

relating to the regulation of composting facilities by certain counties.

WHAT IT DOES

No composting within 3,281 feet of a stream that may feed a city.

The bill lets some Texas counties ban composting facilities within 3,281 feet of a stream, drain, recharge feature or tributary that may feed a city's water supply. It covers only counties that contain no city requiring restaurants to divert food waste from landfills, and it touches composting operators that handle yard waste, wood, manure, meat, carcasses, dairy and oils. On the ground, those counties gain a new power to keep composting sites away from water sources starting September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version H · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version H · May 5, 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. Left pending in committee
  9. Considered in public hearing
  10. Vote taken in committee
  11. Reported favorably as substituted
  12. Committee report printed and distributed
  13. Placed on intent calendar
  14. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  15. Record vote
  16. Read 2nd time
  17. Amendment(s) offered FA1 Kolkhorst
  18. Amended
  19. Vote recorded in Journal
  20. Passed to engrossment as amended
  21. Record vote
  22. Three day rule suspended
  23. Record vote
  24. Read 3rd time
  25. Passed
  26. Record vote
  27. Reported engrossed
  28. Received from the Senate
  29. Read first time
  30. Referred to Environmental Regulation
  31. Considered in public hearing
  32. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  33. Left pending in committee
  34. Considered in public hearing
  35. Committee substitute considered in committee
  36. Reported favorably as substituted
  37. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  38. Committee report distributed
  39. Committee report sent to Calendars
  40. Considered in Calendars
  41. Placed on General State Calendar
  42. Read 2nd time
  43. Passed to 3rd reading
  44. Record vote RV#3267
  45. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  46. Read 3rd time
  47. Passed
  48. Record vote RV#3345
  49. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  50. House passage as amended reported
  51. House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
  52. Read
  53. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
  54. Record vote
  55. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
  56. Reported enrolled
  57. Signed in the Senate
  58. Signed in the House
  59. Sent to the Governor
  60. Filed without the Governor's signature
  61. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 102 yea · 32 nay

Senate · 27 yea · 4 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 23, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · Apr 15, 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

Lois Kolkhorst

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$60KBorder Health PAC$35KSRR Ranches, LLC$30K

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 11, 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 19, 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: 101007416, 101012417, 101070754.

Border Health PAC$35,000.00

Border Health PAC

$35,000.00

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

Also funds 17 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 28, 2024 to Aug 26, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Dec 6, 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: 101012417.

SRR Ranches, LLC$30,000.00

SRR Ranches, LLC

$30,000.00

Cash
$30,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$30,000.00

Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 23, 2024 to Oct 8, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

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

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 23, 2024 to Oct 1, 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: 101012417, 101070754.

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 19, 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: 101007416, 101012417, 101070754.

×

Border Health PAC

$35,000.00

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

Also funds 17 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 28, 2024 to Aug 26, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Dec 6, 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: 101012417.

×

SRR Ranches, LLC

$30,000.00

Cash
$30,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$30,000.00

Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 23, 2024 to Oct 8, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

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

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 23, 2024 to Oct 1, 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: 101012417, 101070754.

Votes7

Senate May 26, 2025

Yea
27
Nay
4
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 Kolkhorst moved to concur in the House amendment to SB 2078. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.

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

  • Yea: 27 (published)
  • Nay: 4 (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.

House May 23, 2025

Yea
102
Nay
32
Present, not voting
2
Absent
7
Excused
7
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3345

SB 2078 was passed by (Record 3345): 102 Yeas, 32 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 102 (published)
  • Nay: 32 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 7 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 7 (derived from named list)

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

House May 22, 2025

Yea
98
Nay
42
Present, not voting
2
Absent
3
Excused
5
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3267

CSSB 2078 was passed to third reading by (Record 3267): 98 Yeas, 42 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 98 (published)
  • Nay: 42 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 5 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Apr 15, 2025

Yea
27
Nay
4
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 27, Nays 4. (Same as previous roll call)

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

  • Yea: 27 (published)
  • Nay: 4 (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 Apr 15, 2025

Yea
27
Nay
4
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 Kolkhorst moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 2078 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.

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

  • Yea: 27 (published)
  • Nay: 4 (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 Apr 15, 2025

Yea
27
Nay
4
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

CSSB 2078 as amended was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.

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

  • Yea: 27 (published)
  • Nay: 4 (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 Apr 15, 2025

Yea
27
Nay
4
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 Kolkhorst moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 2078 at this time on its second reading: CSSB 2078, Relating to the regulation of composting in certain counties; authorizing a civil penalty. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.

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

  • Yea: 27 (published)
  • Nay: 4 (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.

Witnesses34
For
14
Against
11
On
9
Names

For

  • Lee County1 registration
  • Self4 registrations
  • Self; Citizens of Lee County3 registrations
  • Self; Giddings economic development1 registration
  • Self; Giddings economic development corporation1 registration
  • Self; Lee County1 registration
  • Self; Lee County Conservatives1 registration
  • The Citizens of Lee County1 registration
  • Washington county1 registration

Against

  • Organics by Gosh1 registration
  • Self4 registrations
  • Self; Break it Down LLC1 registration
  • Self; Environment Texas1 registration
  • Self; Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance1 registration
  • Self; Texas chapter US Green Building Council1 registration
  • Texas Composting Council1 registration
  • Waste Management of Texas, Inc.1 registration

On

  • Austin Wood Recycling1 registration
  • Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club1 registration
  • Self; Back to nature1 registration
  • Self; Living Earth and Texas Nursery & Landscape Association1 registration
  • Self; Texas chapter of US Green Building Council1 registration
  • Texas Commission on Environmental Quality2 registrations
  • Texas Nursery & Landscape Association1 registration
  • Texas Nursery and Landscape Association1 registration
Sources

34 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 H · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version H · May 5, 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 Mar 7, 2025

06/22/2025 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.

Sponsors
Stan GerdesRHouse 17 Trey WhartonRHouse 12 Benjamin BumgarnerRHouse 63

House committee · Environmental Regulation · Committee vote 9 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

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

Companion

HB 4086 by Gerdes (identical)

Subjects

Civil Remedies & Liabilities

County Government--General

Environment--Solid Waste

FOOD

Text

The text as introduced · 179 words

89R9246 DRS-F

By: Kolkhorst
S.B. No. 2078

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the regulation of composting facilities by certain

counties.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 364, Health and Safety

Code, is amended by adding Section 364.020 to read as follows:

Sec. 364.020. COUNTY REGULATION OF COMPOSTING FACILITY

LOCATION. (a) This section applies only to a county that does not

contain a municipality that requires a restaurant to divert food

waste from disposal in a landfill.

(b) In this section, "composting facility" means a facility

that composts only source-separated yard trimmings, clean wood

material, vegetative material, paper, manure, meat, fish, dead

animal carcasses, dairy materials, and meat and vegetable oils and

greases from a municipal, commercial, or institutional source.

(c) A county may prohibit the operation of a composting

facility within 3,281 feet of a stream, drain, recharge feature,

recharge area, or tributary that may constitute or recharge the

source of water supply of any municipality.

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