Monitoring the Session

SB 3044

Presidio County water board grows from five to seven

Became law

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Sen. César BlancoDSenate 29

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 the composition of the board of directors and the powers of the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District.

Caption from analyzed text · version H.

Summary

Marfa and Presidio get one appointed seat each.

The bill grows the board of the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District from five to seven directors and gives the City of Marfa and the City of Presidio one appointed seat each. It also updates the district's powers language and says that Section 36.121 of the Water Code no longer applies to the district. On the ground, each appointing body fills its own vacancies, the two cities get a voice on groundwater decisions, and the district loses a general-law limit on what it can regulate.

Labels

Labels: INSTANT LAW. Took effect immediately, on May 29, 2025. 833 of the 1,185 graded 89R laws took effect Sep 1, 2025 (derived from the bill histories, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB3044 · 2025-04-09

SOLD BY

ITEM

relating to the composition of the board of directors and the powers of the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District.

WHAT IT DOES

Marfa and Presidio get one appointed seat each.

The bill grows the board of the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District from five to seven directors and gives the City of Marfa and the City of Presidio one appointed seat each. It also updates the district's powers language and says that Section 36.121 of the Water Code no longer applies to the district. On the ground, each appointing body fills its own vacancies, the two cities get a voice on groundwater decisions, and the district loses a general-law limit on what it can regulate.

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 24, 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. Transmitted to the Governor
  3. Read first time
  4. Referred to Local Government
  5. Posting rule suspended
  6. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  7. Considered in public hearing
  8. Testimony taken in committee
  9. Left pending in committee
  10. Considered in public hearing
  11. Vote taken in committee
  12. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  13. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  14. Committee report printed and distributed
  15. Placed on intent calendar
  16. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  17. Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
  18. Vote recorded in Journal
  19. Three day rule suspended
  20. Record vote
  21. Read 3rd time
  22. Passed
  23. Record vote
  24. Reported engrossed
  25. Received from the Senate
  26. Read first time
  27. Referred to Natural Resources
  28. Considered in formal meeting
  29. Recommended to be sent to Local & Consent
  30. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  31. Recommendations filed with the Senate
  32. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  33. Committee report distributed
  34. Comm. report sent to Local & Consent Calendar
  35. Considered in Local & Consent Calendars
  36. Placed on Local, Consent, and Res. Calendar
  37. Read 2nd time
  38. Passed to 3rd reading
  39. Nonrecord vote recorded in Journal
  40. Read 3rd time
  41. Passed
  42. Record vote RV#2818
  43. Nonrecord vote recorded in Journal
  44. House passage reported
  45. Reported enrolled
  46. Signed in the Senate
  47. Signed in the House
  48. Sent to the Governor
  49. Signed by the Governor
  50. Effective immediately
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 110 yea · 21 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 16, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 6, 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

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 10, 2024 to Jun 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.

Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund$25,750.00

Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund

$25,750.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$750.00
Total
$25,750.00
consulting $750.00

Also funds 5 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 22, 2024 to Oct 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 25, 2024 to Dec 13, 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: 100989095.

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$25,000.00

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$25,000.00

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

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 · Oct 3, 2024 to Jan 26, 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: 100989095, 101009709, 101033590, 101060872.

Border Health PAC$25,000.00

Border Health PAC

$25,000.00

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

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 14, 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: 100989095.

Money

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

×

Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund

$25,750.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$750.00
Total
$25,750.00
consulting $750.00

Also funds 5 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 22, 2024 to Oct 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 25, 2024 to Dec 13, 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: 100989095.

×

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$25,000.00

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

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 · Oct 3, 2024 to Jan 26, 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: 100989095, 101009709, 101033590, 101060872.

×

Border Health PAC

$25,000.00

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

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 14, 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: 100989095.

Votes4

House May 16, 2025

Yea
110
Nay
21
Present, not voting
2
Absent
4
Excused
12
Names

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

House journal

The shared roll contains conflicting member evidence. Those positions remain conflicting.

Swanson is listed as excused in the shared roll and nay in this bill's list. That position remains conflicting.

Sources

Record 2818

SB 3044 (Alders, Cain, Cunningham, Dorazio, Gerdes, Harris Davila, Hayes, Hickland, Hull, Isaac, Leo Wilson, Metcalf, Noble, Oliverson, Patterson, Shofner, Slawson, Swanson, Troxclair, Vasut, Villalobos, and Wilson - no) (110 - 21 - 2)

Shared roll motion

The following bills which were considered on second reading on the previous legislative day on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar were laid before the house, read third time, and passed by the following record vote (members registering votes and the results of the vote are shown following the bill number). (Record 2818): 131 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 110 (published)
  • Nay: 21 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 12 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 6, 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 Blanco moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 3044 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 May 6, 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 Blanco moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 3044 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed 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 May 6, 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

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: Not printed

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

Witnesses1
For
1
Against
0
On
0
Names

For

  • Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District1 registration
Sources

1 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 significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version I · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version I · April 24, 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 H by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas Senate · Filed Apr 9, 2025

05/29/2025 E Effective immediately

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

House committee · Natural Resources · Committee vote 12 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Local Government · Committee vote 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Companion

HB 5675 by Morales, Eddie (identical)

Subjects

PRESIDIO COUNTY UNDERGROUND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT (DM15R)

MARFA, CITY OF (GP3MY)

PRESIDIO COUNTY (GH3GY)

PRESIDIO, CITY OF (G38GW)

Special Districts & Authorities--Groundwater Conserve Dist.

Special Districts & Authorities--Water & Utility

Water--Conservation (I097L)

Text

The text as introduced · 575 words

89R22241 SCF-F

By: Blanco
S.B. No. 3044

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the composition of the board of directors and the powers

of the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District.

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

SECTION 1. Section 5, Chapter 453, Acts of the 73rd

Legislature, Regular Session, 1993, is amended to read as follows:

SECTION 5. POWERS. (a) The district has all of the rights,

powers, privileges, authority, functions, and duties provided by

the general law of this state, including Chapters 50 and 52, Water

Code, applicable to groundwater [ underground water ] conservation

districts created under Article XVI, Section 59, of the Texas

Constitution. This Act prevails over any provision of general law

that is in conflict or inconsistent with this Act.

(b) The rights, powers, privileges, authority, functions,

and duties of the district are subject to the continuing right of

supervision of the state to be exercised by and through the Texas

[ Water ] Commission on Environmental Quality .

(c) Section 36.121, Water Code, does not apply to the

district.

SECTION 2. Section 6, Chapter 453, Acts of the 73rd

Legislature, Regular Session, 1993, is amended by amending

Subsections (a), (g), and (h) and adding Subsections (d-1) and

(d-2) to read as follows:

(a) The district is governed by a board of seven [ five ]

directors.

(d-1) One member of the board shall be appointed by the

governing body of the City of Marfa.

(d-2) One member of the board shall be appointed by the

governing body of the City of Presidio.

(g) A [ If there is a ] vacancy on the board shall be filled

for the unexpired term in the same manner provided for the

appointment of the position [ , the commissioners court of Presidio

County, as appropriate, shall appoint a director to serve the

remainder of the term ].

(h) An appointing entity [ The commissioners court of

Presidio County, as appropriate, ] shall appoint a director to

succeed a director appointed by that entity on or before the date

the director's term expires.

SECTION 3. Section 6(e), Chapter 453, Acts of the 73rd

Legislature, Regular Session, 1993, is repealed.

SECTION 4. (a) The legal notice of the intention to

introduce this Act, setting forth the general substance of this

Act, has been published as provided by law, and the notice and a

copy of this Act have been furnished to all persons, agencies,

officials, or entities to which they are required to be furnished

under Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, and Chapter 313,

Government Code.

(b) The governor, one of the required recipients, has

submitted the notice and Act to the Texas Commission on

Environmental Quality.

(c) The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has filed

its recommendations relating to this Act with the governor, the

lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of

representatives within the required time.

(d) All requirements of the constitution and laws of this

state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with respect

to the notice, introduction, and passage of this Act are fulfilled

and accomplished.

SECTION 5. 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.