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HB 217

Relating to the liability of a groundwater conservation district for actions of the district restricting groundwater production from a well.

89th Legislature, 1st Called Session (2025) Introduced by Daniel Alders and 18 co-sponsors

HB 217 limits legal liability for Texas groundwater conservation districts when restricting well production, balancing water management authority against property owner compensation rights.

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Bill Summary · HB 217

Legislative bill overview

HB 217 addresses the legal liability protections for groundwater conservation districts (GCDs) when they restrict or limit groundwater production from individual wells. The bill clarifies what claims property owners can bring against GCDs for production restrictions and establishes limits on the damages they can recover. This is a Texas-specific measure that affects the enforcement authority of these regional water management bodies.

Why is this important

Groundwater conservation districts manage water resources across regions, and their restrictions directly impact landowners' ability to pump water from their property—a significant economic issue in drought-prone areas like Texas. The liability framework determines whether landowners can successfully sue GCDs for financial losses when production is limited, which affects both the districts' operational costs and property owners' recourse options. This balance influences how aggressively GCDs can enforce conservation measures.

Potential points of contention

  • Landowner compensation: Property owners may argue that restricting groundwater access constitutes a taking of their water rights without just compensation, while GCDs contend conservation restrictions are legitimate regulatory authority
  • District operational costs: Broad liability exposure could make GCDs hesitant to enforce conservation rules or force them to pay substantial damages, versus limiting liability which protects district budgets but may leave affected landowners without remedy
  • Competing water interests: Agricultural, municipal, and industrial users have different stakes in groundwater availability and may dispute how liability rules affect prioritization of water access

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

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