TX SB1954

Authorizes county commissioners courts to designate "protected areas" for water quality protection in hydrologically sensitive zones, including aquifer recharge zones, floodplains, karst topographic areas, riparian areas, and watersheds

Requires voter approval before a county can adopt these zoning powers, with petitions needing signatures from 10% of voters based on the most recent gubernatorial election turnout

Grants counties authority to regulate building height, lot coverage, yard sizes, population density, land use (commercial, industrial, residential), and building construction standards within designated protected areas

Establishes planning commissions with 9+ members (5 appointed by county judge, 1 per commissioner, 1 per affected municipality mayor) to recommend protected area boundaries and zoning regulations, with required input from hydrologists, geologists, and environmental scientists

Sets minimum buffer zones for protected areas: within 100-year floodplains, at least 200 feet from riparian zones, 300 feet from aquifer recharge zones, and 500 feet from karst areas; violations constitute Class C misdemeanors