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TX HB3728

Bill

Status

Introduced

3/4/2025

Primary Sponsor

Penny Morales Shaw

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

89th Legislature Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to incorporate numeric salinity gradients into water quality standards for bays and estuaries where site-specific salinity studies exist

  • Mandates TCEQ to establish narrative salinity criteria that list specific species within bays and estuaries to support estuarine-dependent aquatic life

  • Requires TCEQ to publish a report by September 1, 2026, summarizing results of long-term estuarine salinity gradient studies conducted between 2003 and 2025

  • The required report must assess the effects of wastewater loading, desalination, and changes in hydrological conditions and rainfall on estuarine salinity gradients and wildlife

  • Takes effect September 1, 2025, with compliance required in the first revision of TCEQ's relevant rules after that date

Legislative Description

Relating to the adoption by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of salinity requirements for bays and estuaries.

Environment

Last Action

Left pending in committee

4/23/2025

Committee Referrals

Culture, Recreation & Tourism3/26/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available