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Bill

SB 526

Relating to the use of green stormwater infrastructure in new state buildings.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Sarah Eckhardt

Texas bill mandating green stormwater infrastructure in new state buildings to reduce flooding, improve water quality, and promote sustainable construction practices.

Referred to Business & Commerce
#buildingconstruction(s0426) #environment--water(i0320) #facilitiescommission #texas(v0780) #publiclands #buildings&resources(i0630) #purchasing--state(i0643) #stateagencies #boards&commissions(i0749) #water--conservation(i097l)
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Bill Summary · SB 526

Legislative bill overview

SB 526 requires new state buildings in Texas to incorporate green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) systems such as rain gardens, permeable pavements, green roofs, and bioswales. The bill mandates that these natural water management features be integrated into building designs to manage stormwater runoff on-site rather than relying solely on traditional drainage systems.

Why is this important

Green stormwater infrastructure reduces flooding risks, decreases strain on municipal drainage systems, and improves water quality by filtering pollutants naturally. For state buildings—which are often large, high-impact structures—mandating GSI can set precedent for sustainable construction practices and demonstrate state commitment to environmental stewardship while potentially reducing long-term maintenance costs.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Initial construction expenses for GSI features may increase building budgets; fiscal impact depends on site conditions and GSI complexity
  • Implementation standards: The bill's specificity regarding which GSI methods qualify, maintenance requirements, and performance metrics is unclear and could create compliance ambiguity
  • Applicability scope: "New state buildings" definition may be contested—whether it applies to all state projects, only certain agencies, or buildings above a certain cost threshold remains undefined

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

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