Texas SB18: 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 enrolled text, August 26, 2025:

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. Section 1001 et ] [ADDED: …

Sponsors

• Judith Zaffirini (D, SD-021) · primary sponsor
• Carol Alvarado (D, SD-006)
• Paul Bettencourt (R, SD-007)
• Brian Birdwell (R, SD-022)
• Cesar Blanco (D, SD-029)
• Donna Campbell (R, SD-025)
• Sarah Eckhardt (D, SD-014)
• Maria Flores (D, HD-051)
• Adam Hinojosa (R, SD-027)
• Juan Hinojosa (D, SD-020)
• Ken King (R, HD-088)
• Jose Menendez (D, SD-026)

Latest actions

1. September 17, 2025: Vetoed by the Governor
2. August 28, 2025: Sent to the Governor
3. August 28, 2025: Signed in the House
4. August 27, 2025: Signed in the Senate
5. August 26, 2025: Reported enrolled
6. August 26, 2025: House passage reported
7. August 25, 2025: Reason for vote recorded in Journal
8. August 25, 2025: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
9. August 25, 2025: Record vote (RV#68)
10. August 25, 2025: Passed

Votes

• Finance Committee Vote (Out of committee): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Committee Vote (Out of committee): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#68 (August 25, 2025): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Rules suspended-Three day rule (August 18, 2025): 30 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Read 3rd time (August 18, 2025): 30 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB18?

SB18 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature 2nd 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 SB18 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 SB18?

Vetoed as of September 17, 2025. Latest action: Vetoed by the Governor (September 17, 2025).

Who sponsored SB18?

Judith Zaffirini (D, SD-021), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB18?

On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=892&Bill=SB00018