Monitoring the SessionSB 624
Died in committee
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
relating to the criteria considered by groundwater conservation districts before granting or denying a permit or permit amendment.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Domestic and livestock wells now count when big pumping permits get reviewed.
The bill adds to the list of things a groundwater conservation district must weigh before granting or denying a well permit or permit amendment. Districts must now consider whether a proposed water use unreasonably affects existing permit holders and wells that are registered with the district but exempt from permits, alongside the existing check on groundwater and surface water resources. Owners of small exempt wells, such as domestic and livestock wells registered with the district, get their effect formally counted when big new pumping permits are reviewed.
Labels: DO-OVER. Reworked text of a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 5052 by Rep. Gerdes (Died in committee). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.
89R-SB624 · 2024-12-16
relating to the criteria considered by groundwater conservation districts before granting or denying a permit or permit amendment.
Domestic and livestock wells now count when big pumping permits get reviewed.
The bill adds to the list of things a groundwater conservation district must weigh before granting or denying a well permit or permit amendment. Districts must now consider whether a proposed water use unreasonably affects existing permit holders and wells that are registered with the district but exempt from permits, alongside the existing check on groundwater and surface water resources. Owners of small exempt wells, such as domestic and livestock wells registered with the district, get their effect formally counted when big new pumping permits are reviewed.
[ ] NONE FOUND
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
DATA CENTERS, WATER AND THE GRID
THE TEXT
“wells that are registered with the district and exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit under this chapter or district rules”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill makes districts weigh harm to registered exempt wells before letting new permit holders pump groundwater, which affects who gets the water.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Not tied to this bill.
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.
$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.
TeamDerived 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.
$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.
TeamDerived 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.
$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.
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.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
$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.
TeamDerived 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.
$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.
TeamDerived 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.
$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.
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.
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.
by Rep. Gerdes, different lead author · Died in committee · reworked
Introduced textLast action, May 2, 2023: Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
Relating to the criteria considered by groundwater conservation districts before granting or denying a permit.
Caption, 88R bill history
Texas Senate · Filed Dec 16, 2024
02/03/2025 S Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Senate committee · Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs · Final status: Died in committee
HB 1633 by Gerdes (identical)
Special Districts & Authorities--Groundwater Conserve Dist.
Special Districts & Authorities--Water & Utility
PERMITS
The text as introduced · 323 words
89R5372 ANG-F By: Kolkhorst S.B. No. 624 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the criteria considered by groundwater conservation districts before granting or denying a permit or permit amendment. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 36.113(d), Water Code, is amended to read as follows: (d) This subsection does not apply to the renewal of an operating permit issued under Section 36.1145. Before granting or denying a permit, or a permit amendment issued in accordance with Section 36.1146, the district shall consider whether: (1) the application conforms to the requirements prescribed by this chapter and is accompanied by the prescribed fees; (2) the proposed use of water unreasonably affects : (A) existing groundwater and surface water resources ; [ or ] (B) existing permit holders ; or (C) wells that are registered with the district and exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit under this chapter or district rules ; (3) the proposed use of water is dedicated to any beneficial use; (4) the proposed use of water is consistent with the district's approved management plan; (5) if the well will be located in the Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, the proposed use of water from the well is wholly or partly to provide water to a pond, lake, or reservoir to enhance the appearance of the landscape; (6) the applicant has agreed to avoid waste and achieve water conservation; and (7) the applicant has agreed that reasonable diligence will be used to protect groundwater quality and that the applicant will follow well plugging guidelines at the time of well closure. SECTION 2. 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.