On June 22, Governor Greg Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 1253, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Charles Perry and Representative Cecil Bell and cosponsored by Senator Sarah Eckhardt and Senator Carol Alvarado.
The bill related to impact and production fees for certain water projects and to the regulation of certain wells, authorizing a fee. It initially passed the House by wide margins, but after an amendment by Representative Ramon Romero, Jr., a motion to reconsider was filed. That motion was unsuccessful, and the bill passed the House and moved to the Senate, where it passed 30-0.
In his veto proclamation, Abbott explained his objection to the bill. “As originally proposed, Senate Bill No. 1253 tackled an important problem, encouraging conservation of water by authorizing political subdivisions to reduce impact fees for builders who include facilities that increase water conservation and efficiency.
On the third reading of the House, however, the bill changed dramatically. It now singles out property owners in one groundwater conservation district and subjects them to new burdens for exercising private property rights, like new fees that increase every year, and entry on the property without the owner’s permission. We can and should pursue strategies “that protect property rights from government intrusion and control.”
Representative Carrie Isaac of House District 73, who initially voted in favor of SB1253 but was in favor of the motion to reconsider, said she was grateful to Governor Abbott for taking action.
“Governor Abbott’s veto of Senate Bill 1253 is a bold stand for private property rights and a rebuke of oppressive overtaxation,” Isaac said. “By rejecting this measure, he protects Texans from government overreach, ensuring landowners retain control over their hardearned property and shielding citizens from the crushing weight of excessive tax burdens. This decisive action upholds the principles of liberty and fiscal responsibility that Texans cherish.”
The bill was one of 28 bills that Abbott vetoed from the 89th Regular Legislative Session. Six of those bills, including SB1253, will be placed on the upcoming Special Session agenda for further consideration. That session is set to begin Monday, July 21.
Representative Erin Zweiner of House District 45 said she is “deeply disappointed” in the Governor’s veto of SB1254, which would have given the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) essential tools to protect our local wells and streams.
“The HTGCD was created with one hand tied behind its back, and SB 1253 would have placed it on par with other groundwater districts in our region. The language was supported unanimously by the Hays County Commissioner’s Court,” Zweiner said. “Unfortunately, the governor seems to have fallen prey to misinformation about the bill’s supposed impact on private property rights.”
Zweiner said that SB 1253 would have protected the property rights of every single Hays County resident who relies on groundwater in their home or business.
“As someone who relies on a well myself, I am heartbroken that lies and scare tactics have won the day,” Zweiner said. “I urge the governor and other Hays County electeds to listen to the overwhelming public support for protecting our groundwater and support legislation in the upcoming special to give HTGCD the tools it needs.”
David Baker, Executive Director of the Watershed Association said, “We are very disappointed that SB 1253 was vetoed by Governor Abbott. Thousands of Hays County residents voiced their support for this legislation because it upholds both groundwater protection and private property rights, two things essential to continue the Texas way of life that we all want.”
“Water is a matter of life and death for all Texans,” Baker continued. “The Legislature must do everything they can to ensure the Hays Trinity Groundwater District has the tools it needs to protect our aquifers and rural way of life and not cave to the pressure of an out of state, for-profit, billion dollar company.”
“We are very encouraged to see that the House Natural Resources Committee has scheduled a hearing next month in response to an attempt in East Texas by a billionaire investor that wants to take 10 billion gallons of their water to benefit his bottom line at the expense of the residents,” Baker added.
Baker ended his statement by saying, “Working alongside Representative Harris, Senator Perry and the members of the Texas Legislature, we are confident that the water rights of everyday Texans will prevail over those who seek to exploit them for financial gain.”
When asked for comment, Jennifer Tuminelli of Aqua Texas said, “We have no comments to provide.”
