H.B. No. 4530         AN ACT   relating to water rights placed in the Texas Water Trust and the   Texas Water Bank.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Sections 12.028(b) and (c), Parks and Wildlife   Code, are amended to read as follows:          (b)  Consistent with Section 11.0235(b), Water Code, and the   department's duties and responsibilities, the department shall   encourage and facilitate the dedication of surface water rights in   the Texas Water Trust through lease, donation, purchase, or other   means of voluntary transfer for environmental needs, including for   the purpose of maintaining or improving:                (1)  instream flows;                (2)  water quality;                (3)  fish and wildlife habitat; and                (4)  bay and estuary inflows.          (c)  The department may manage surface water rights in the   Texas Water Trust in a manner that is consistent with:                (1)  the manner in which a holder of the rights may   manage the rights;                (2)  the dedication of the rights, including the   dedication's terms and conditions;                (3)  Sections 11.0237, 11.027, and 11.122, Water Code;   and                (4)  maximizing environmental benefits.          SECTION 2.  Section 15.703(a), Water Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (a)  The board may take all actions necessary to operate the   water bank and to facilitate the transfer of water rights from the   water bank for future beneficial use including but not limited to:                (1)  negotiating a sale price and terms acceptable to   the depositor and purchaser;                (2)  maintaining a registry of water bank deposits and   those water users in need of additional supplies;                (3)  informing water users in need of additional supply   of water rights available in the bank;                (4)  encouraging water right holders to implement water   conservation practices and deposit the right to use the conserved   water into the bank;                (5)  establishing requirements for deposit of a water   right into the water bank including minimum terms for deposit;                (6)  purchasing, holding, and transferring water or   water rights in its own name;                (7)  establishing regional water banks;                (8)  acting as a clearinghouse for water marketing   information including water availability, pricing of water   transactions, environmental considerations, and potential buyers   and sellers of water rights;                (9)  preparing and publishing a manual on structuring   water transactions;                (10)  accepting and holding donations of water rights   to meet conservation needs or environmental needs, including   instream flow, water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, or bay and   estuary inflow needs;                (11)  entering into contracts with persons to pay for   feasibility studies or the preparation of plans and specifications   relating to water conservation efforts or to estimate the amount of   water that would be saved through conservation efforts; and                (12)  other actions to facilitate water transactions.          SECTION 3.  Section 15.7031(a), Water Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (a)  The Texas Water Trust is established within the water   bank to hold water rights dedicated to conservation needs or   environmental needs, including instream flow [flows], water   quality, fish and wildlife habitat, or bay and estuary inflow needs   [inflows].          SECTION 4.  Section 15.7031, Water Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (c) and (e) and adding Subsection (c-1) to   read as follows:          (c)  The dedication of any surface water rights placed in   trust must be reviewed and approved by the commission, in   consultation with the board and the Parks and Wildlife Department.   In addition, the Department of Agriculture may provide input to the   commission, as appropriate, during the review and approval process   for the dedication of surface water rights.          (c-1)  The dedication of any groundwater rights placed in   trust must be reviewed and approved by the board. The board must   provide notice of the dedication to any district or authority that:                (1)  was created under Section 52, Article III, or   Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution; and                 (2)  has the authority to regulate the spacing of or   production from water wells located in the aquifer, subdivision of   the aquifer, or geologic stratum in which the groundwater that is   the subject of the groundwater rights is located.          (e)  The Parks and Wildlife Department may manage surface   water rights in the trust:                (1)  under a voluntary agreement with a rights holder;   and                (2)  in the manner described by Section 12.028(c),   Parks and Wildlife Code.          SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 4530 was passed by the House on May 7,   2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 109, Nays 27, 1 present, not   voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.   No. 4530 on May 28, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 90, Nays 42,   2 present, not voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House               I certify that H.B. No. 4530 was passed by the Senate, with   amendments, on May 26, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays   0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor