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Bill

SB 2662

Relating to the enforcement of drought contingency plans by water and sewer utilities and the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Cody Harris and 2 co-sponsors

Texas grants the Public Utility Commission enforcement authority over water utility drought contingency plans to ensure compliance during shortages and protect water supply security.

Effective immediately
#citygovernment--utilities(i0068) #drought(s0281) #publicutilitycommission(v0023) #specialdistricts&authorities--groundwaterconservedist.(i0013) #utilities--water&sewer(i0002) #water--conservation(i097l)
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Bill Summary · SB 2662

Legislative bill overview

SB 2662 empowers the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to enforce drought contingency plans that water and sewer utilities must implement during water shortages. The bill establishes regulatory mechanisms for the PUC to ensure utilities comply with drought management measures and creates enforcement authority where previously limited oversight existed.

Why is this important

Texas faces recurring drought conditions that strain water supplies, particularly in rapidly growing regions. This legislation provides the PUC with explicit enforcement tools to ensure utilities follow drought protocols, protecting public water security during critical shortage periods and preventing individual utilities from circumventing water conservation measures.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory burden vs. flexibility: Utilities may argue that strict PUC enforcement limits their ability to respond adaptively to local hydrological conditions, while consumer advocates may worry enforcement remains insufficient
  • Cost implications: Implementation of drought contingency plans and compliance infrastructure could increase operational expenses that utilities pass to ratepayers
  • Grandfather clause concerns: Existing utilities' drought plans may require costly updates to meet new PUC enforcement standards, raising questions about fairness and transition periods

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

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