Texas Water Code

§ 16.053 — REGIONAL WATER PLANS

WA § 16.053Title 2. WATER ADMINISTRATION · Part C. WATER DEVELOPMENT · Ch. 16. PROVISIONS GENERALLY APPLICABLE TO WATER DEVELOPMENT · Art. C. PLANNING

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(a)The regional water planning group in each regional water planning area shall prepare a regional water plan, using an existing state water plan identified in Section 16.051 of this code and local water plans prepared under Section 16.054 of this code as a guide, if present, that provides for the orderly development, management, and conservation of water resources and preparation for and response to drought conditions in order that sufficient water will be available at a reasonable cost to ensure public health, safety, and welfare; further economic development; and protect the agricultural and natural resources of that particular region.

(b)No later than September 1, 1998, the board shall designate the areas for which regional water plans shall be developed, taking into consideration such factors as river basin and aquifer delineations, water utility development patterns, socioeconomic characteristics, existing regional water planning areas, political subdivision boundaries, public comment, and other factors the board deems relevant. The board shall review and update the designations as necessary but at least every five years.

(c)No later than 60 days after the designation of the regions under Subsection (b), the board shall designate representatives within each regional water planning area to serve as the initial coordinating body for planning. The initial coordinating body may then designate additional representatives to serve on the regional water planning group. The initial coordinating body shall designate additional representatives if necessary to ensure adequate representation from the interests comprising that region, including the public, counties, municipalities, industries, agricultural interests, environmental interests, small businesses, electric generating utilities, river authorities, water districts, and water utilities. The regional water planning group shall maintain adequate representation from those interests. In addition, the groundwater conservation districts located in each management area, as defined by Section 36.001, located in the regional water planning area shall appoint one representative of a groundwater conservation district located in the management area and in the regional water planning area to serve on the regional water planning group. In addition, representatives of the board, the Parks and Wildlife Department, the Department of Agriculture, and the State Soil and Water Conservation Board shall serve as ex officio members of each regional water planning group.

(d)The board shall provide guidelines for the consideration of existing regional planning efforts by regional water planning groups. The board shall provide guidelines for the format in which information shall be presented in the regional water plans.

(e)Each regional water planning group shall submit to the development board a regional water plan that:

(1)is consistent with the guidance principles for the state water plan adopted by the development board under Section 16.051(d);

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Legislative history

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 970 (H.B. 1763), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1097 (H.B. 2201), Sec. 8, eff. June 18, 2005. Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1200 (H.B. 578), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1430 (S.B. 3), Sec. 2.14, eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1430 (S.B. 3), Sec. 2.15, eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 595 (S.B. 181), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1233 (S.B. 660), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2011. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 756 (H.B. 2031), Sec. 9, eff. June 17, 2015. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 990 (H.B. 30), Sec. 2, eff. June 19, 2015. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1180 (S.B. 1101), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 7 (S.B. 347), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 324 (S.B. 1488), Sec. 19.001, eff. September 1, 2017. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 471 (H.B. 2215), Sec. 1, eff. June 9, 2017. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 921 (S.B. 1511), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2017. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 921 (S.B. 1511), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2017. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 921 (S.B. 1511), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2017. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 745 (H.B. 807), Sec. 2, eff. June 10, 2019. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 68 (H.B. 1905), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2021. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 45 (H.B. 1565), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2023. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 55 (S.B. 1268), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.