Texas SB43: Relating to an exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain dams or reservoirs operated and maintained for the purposes of erosion, floodwater, and sediment control.

What the bill says

An act relating to an exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain dams or reservoirs operated and maintained for the purposes of erosion, floodwater, and sediment control.

From the engrossed text, August 12, 2025:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to an exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain dams or reservoirs operated and maintained for the purposes of erosion, floodwater, and sediment control. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 11.121, Water Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 11.121. PERMIT REQUIRED. Except as provided in Sections 11.1405, 11.142, 11.1421, 11.1422,[ADDED: 11.1423,]and 18.003, no person may appropriate any state water or begin construction of any work designed for the storage, taking, or diversion of water without first obtaining a permit from the commission to make the appropriation. SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 11, Water Code, is amended by adding Section 11.1423 to read as follows: [ADDED: Sec.][ADDED: ][ADDED: 11.1423.][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: PERMIT EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN DAMS OR ] [ADDED: RESERVOIRS FOR EROSION, FLOODWATER, AND SEDIMENT CONTROL. (a) In ] [ADDED: this section, "qualified local sponsor" means a district or ] [ADDED: authority created under Section 52(b)(1) or (2), Article III, or ] [ADDED: Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, that has entered into ] [ADDED: an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture's ] [ADDED: Natural Resources Conservation Service pursuant to the Watershed ] [ADDED: Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. …

Sponsors

• Judith Zaffirini (D, SD-021) · primary sponsor
• Carol Alvarado (D, SD-006)
• Cesar Blanco (D, SD-029)
• Sarah Eckhardt (D, SD-014)
• Adam Hinojosa (R, SD-027)
• Juan Hinojosa (D, SD-020)
• Ken King (R, HD-088)
• Jose Menendez (D, SD-026)
• Borris Miles (D, SD-013)
• Angela Paxton (R, SD-008)

Latest actions

1. August 12, 2025: Reported engrossed
2. August 12, 2025: Passed
3. August 12, 2025: Read 3rd time
4. August 12, 2025: Record vote
5. August 12, 2025: Three day rule suspended
6. August 12, 2025: Vote recorded in Journal
7. August 12, 2025: Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
8. August 12, 2025: Rules suspended-Regular order of business
9. August 12, 2025: Co-author authorized
10. August 8, 2025: Committee report printed and distributed

Votes

• Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Committee Vote (Out of committee): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Rules suspended-Three day rule (August 12, 2025): 28 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Read 3rd time (August 12, 2025): 28 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB43?

SB43 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature 1st Special Session): Relating to an exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain dams or reservoirs operated and maintained for the purposes of erosion, floodwater, and sediment control.

What does SB43 do?

In its own words: An act relating to an exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain dams or reservoirs operated and maintained for the purposes of erosion, floodwater, and sediment control.

What is the status of SB43?

Passed one chamber as of August 12, 2025. Latest action: Reported engrossed (August 12, 2025).

Who sponsored SB43?

Judith Zaffirini (D, SD-021), with 9 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB43?

On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=891&Bill=SB00043