SB 2660

Perry Hays Trinity Bill Adds A Groundwater Fee, Repeals Seven Sections

Died in committee

Verdict: Smells

SmellsReviewed

Sen. Charles PerryRSenate 28

Why it's charged

New fee, fund, board or appointees

THE TEXT

…“assess a production fee as provided by Section 36.205, Water Code.”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The bill creates a new fee on groundwater production for this district. The caption says plainly that it is "authorizing a fee," so this is disclosed, not hidden.

New fee, fund, board or appointees

Reviewed · Nov 1, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District; authorizing a fee.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

The text never says what the seven did. Fee money can go to any lawful purpose.

This bill lets the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District charge a new production fee on groundwater pumped from wells, capped at the greater of 38 cents per 1,000 gallons or the raw surface water cost charged by other wholesale suppliers in the district. It touches well owners in the district, except wells used only for agriculture and wells the district's own rules exempt, and it removes the old rule that barred the district from collecting fees beyond two listed kinds. It also repeals seven sections of the district's law that the text does not describe, and it lets the district spend the new fee money on any lawful purpose.

Labels

Labels: FEE INCLUDED. The caption of the graded version (introduced) reads: “relating to the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District; authorizing a fee.”GOT HALFWAY. Passed the Senate on Apr 30, 2025. Died in the House: left pending in the Natural Resources committee.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB2660 · 2025-03-13

SOLD BY

Sen. Charles PerryRSenate 28

+ 1 coauthor

ITEM

relating to the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District; authorizing a fee.

WHAT IT DOES

The text never says what the seven did. Fee money can go to any lawful purpose.

CHARGES

[x] NEW FEE, FUND, BOARD OR APPOINTEESanalysis confidence 60%

THE TEXT

…“assess a production fee as provided by Section 36.205, Water Code.”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The bill creates a new fee on groundwater production for this district. The caption says plainly that it is "authorizing a fee," so this is disclosed, not hidden.

TOTAL

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 13, 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

Mar 13, 2025Received by the Secretary of the Senate
Mar 13, 2025Filed
Apr 3, 2025Read first time
Apr 3, 2025Referred to Local Government
Apr 10, 2025Rereferred to committee
Apr 10, 2025Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
Apr 14, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Apr 14, 2025Considered in public hearing
Apr 14, 2025Testimony taken in committee
Apr 14, 2025Vote taken in committee
Apr 15, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendments
Apr 15, 2025Committee report printed and distributed
Apr 24, 2025Placed on intent calendar
Apr 30, 2025Co-author authorized
Apr 30, 2025Rules suspended-Regular order of business
Apr 30, 2025Read 2nd time
Apr 30, 2025Amendment(s) offered FA1 Campbell
Apr 30, 2025Amended
Apr 30, 2025Vote recorded in Journal
Apr 30, 2025Passed to engrossment as amended
Apr 30, 2025Vote recorded in Journal
Apr 30, 2025Three day rule suspended
Apr 30, 2025Record vote
Apr 30, 2025Read 3rd time
Apr 30, 2025Passed
Apr 30, 2025Record vote
Apr 30, 2025Reported engrossed
May 1, 2025Received from the Senate
May 2, 2025Read first time
May 2, 2025Referred to Natural Resources
May 14, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
May 14, 2025Considered in public hearing
May 14, 2025Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
May 14, 2025Left pending in committee

FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

Senate: Final passage · Apr 30, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Charles Perry

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$60K Ryan Texas PAC$35K Fort 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.

Votes3

Senate Apr 30, 2025

Yea: 31
Nay: 0
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

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 SB 2660 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

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

Yea: 31 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

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

Senate Apr 30, 2025

Yea: 31
Nay: 0
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Sources

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

Yea: 31 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

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

Senate Apr 30, 2025

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.

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

Sources

SB 2660 as amended 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: Not printed

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

Witnesses43

For: 38
Against: 5
On: 0

Names

For

Environmental Defense Action Fund1 registration
Hays County1 registration
Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District1 registration
Hill Country Alliance1 registration
Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club1 registration
National Wildlife Federation1 registration
Self21 registrations
Self; City of Wimberley Dept of Tourism1 registration
Self; Hays County, West Travis County Public Utility Agency1 registration
Self; Hays Trinity GCD, Director and Hays County well owner1 registration
Self; Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District1 registration
Self; Home well owner hays county1 registration
Self; Rolling Plains Groundwater Conservation District1 registration
Self; The Watershed Association1 registration
Self; Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association1 registration
Shield Ranch1 registration
The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance1 registration
Upper Trinity GCD, Prairielands GCD, Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District1 registration

Against

Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation2 registrations
Self1 registration
Self; Texas Association of Water Companies1 registration
Self; Wimberley Water Supply Corporation1 registration

Sources

43 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 E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 13, 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 13, 2025

05/14/2025 H Left pending in committee

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · Senate Committee Report · Engrossed

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 3:19 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors

Judith ZaffiriniDSenate 21

House committee · Natural Resources · Final status: Died in committee

Senate committee · Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs · Committee vote 7 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee

Subjects

HAYS TRINITY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Fees & Other Nontax Revenue--Local

Special Districts & Authorities--Groundwater Conserve Dist.

Special Districts & Authorities--Water & Utility

Water--Conservation (I097L)

Text

The text as introduced · 317 words

89R12404 ANG-F

By: Perry
S.B. No. 2660

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District;

authorizing a fee.

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

SECTION 1. Section 8843.153, Special District Local Laws

Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 8843.153. TAXES [ AND OTHER FEES ] PROHIBITED.

Notwithstanding Section 8843.101 or Subchapter G, Chapter 36, Water

Code, the district may not[ :

[ (1) ] impose a tax[ ; or

[ (2) assess or collect any fees except as authorized

by Section 8843.151 or 8843.152 ].

SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 8843, Special District

Local Laws Code, is amended by adding Section 8843.1511 to read as

follows:

Sec. 8843.1511. PRODUCTION FEE. (a) The district may

assess a production fee as provided by Section 36.205, Water Code.

(b) A fee assessed under this section may not exceed the

greater of:

(1) 38 cents per 1,000 gallons of groundwater

withdrawn; or

(2) the raw surface water cost of other wholesale

water suppliers providing water to customers in the district.

(c) The district may use revenues generated by fees assessed

under this section for any lawful purpose.

(d) This section does not apply to:

(1) a well used exclusively for an agricultural use,

as defined by Section 36.001, Water Code; or

(2) a well that is exempt under district rules.

SECTION 3. The following provisions of Chapter 8843,

Special District Local Laws Code, are repealed:

(1) Section 8843.055;

(2) Section 8843.057;

(3) Section 8843.103;

(4) Section 8843.104;

(5) Section 8843.105;

(6) Section 8843.106; and

(7) Section 8843.154.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.