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HB 3141

Relating to information relied on by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for purposes of rules involving rainfall estimates.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Erin Zwiener

HB 3141 modifies which rainfall data sources the Texas environmental agency can use when creating rules, affecting stormwater and water quality standards statewide.

Referred to Environmental Regulation
#environmentalquality #texascommissionon(v0334) #environment--general(i0340) #environment--water(i0320) #stateagencies'rules(s0346)
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Bill Summary · HB 3141

Legislative bill overview

HB 3141 addresses what sources of rainfall data the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) can use when establishing environmental rules that depend on rainfall estimates. The bill appears to modify which rainfall information sources are considered acceptable or reliable for TCEQ regulatory purposes. This is a procedural and technical measure affecting how the state develops environmental standards.

Why is this important

Rainfall estimates are foundational to numerous environmental regulations—from stormwater management to wastewater treatment standards to erosion control requirements. If the bill restricts or expands which rainfall data TCEQ can rely on, it could meaningfully affect how stringent or lenient these environmental protections become across Texas. This matters for both environmental outcomes and the compliance costs businesses face.

Potential points of contention

  • Data source disputes: Different rainfall datasets (NOAA, National Weather Service, local stations, modeled data) can produce varying estimates; stakeholders may disagree on which sources are most accurate for regulatory purposes
  • Environmental vs. economic trade-offs: Environmental advocates may worry about weakening standards by accepting less rigorous data, while regulated industries may prefer flexibility in which data sources are accepted
  • Regulatory uncertainty: Clarifying acceptable rainfall data sources could either increase or decrease compliance burden depending on what the bill ultimately specifies

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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