According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), the fiscal implications of HB 3383 indicate that the bill is not expected to have a significant financial impact on the state. While the state may choose to enter into contracts with local governments for water research or planning activities, any associated costs are anticipated to be minimal.

For local governments, the fiscal impact will depend on whether they decide to participate in such contracts. Those that opt in may incur costs related to joint research or planning efforts, but these costs would be determined by the specific agreements they enter into. Because the bill does not mandate participation, any financial commitments would be voluntary, allowing local governments to assess their own fiscal capacity before engaging in these cooperative efforts.

HB 3383 enhances local government autonomy by allowing cities, counties, and other local entities to voluntarily collaborate with each other, the state, or the federal government on water research and planning. Given Texas’ ongoing water challenges, including droughts and population growth, fostering cooperative efforts in water resource management is a prudent step toward ensuring sustainable and efficient water use. The bill does not mandate participation, meaning that local governments retain full control over whether and how they engage in these agreements, aligning with the principle of limited government while promoting responsible resource management.

From a fiscal perspective, HB 3383 does not impose any significant financial burden on the state, and any costs incurred by local governments would be at their discretion, depending on the agreements they choose to enter. This ensures that taxpayer resources are not unnecessarily allocated without direct local benefit. Additionally, by facilitating joint research and planning, the bill encourages data-driven decision-making and could lead to more cost-effective water management strategies at the regional level. Because it respects private property rights, supports free enterprise by improving water resource reliability, and maintains governmental efficiency without creating new bureaucracies, the bill upholds key liberty principles.

Overall, HB 3383 represents a commonsense, non-coercive approach to water planning that benefits Texas communities while keeping the government’s role appropriately restrained. It supports long-term resource stewardship without imposing unnecessary costs or mandates. For these reasons, Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HB 3383.

• Individual Liberty: Individual Liberty is not directly impacted by the bill, as it does not regulate individuals or private behavior. Instead, it focuses solely on the authority of local governments to collaborate on water-related planning and research. There are no new restrictions or obligations placed on residents or private landowners, ensuring that personal freedoms remain untouched.
• Personal Responsibility: Personal Responsibility is subtly reinforced by the bill's emphasis on local control. By enabling local governments to voluntarily enter into cooperative agreements, the legislation encourages local leaders to take initiative and plan proactively for long-term water needs. This reflects the principle that government closest to the people should be empowered to act responsibly in managing public resources.
• Free Enterprise: Free Enterprise stands to benefit from more effective and coordinated water resource planning. Reliable access to water is essential for business operations, agriculture, and industry in Texas. While the bill does not directly affect businesses, it creates a framework for better planning that can help ensure the long-term availability of water—a crucial input for many sectors—without introducing new regulations or market distortions.
• Private Property Rights: Private Property Rights are preserved under the bill. It does not authorize eminent domain, regulate private water use, or interfere with landowners' rights. Instead, it focuses on collaborative planning among governments, which can indirectly benefit property owners by supporting sustainable water access in growing communities.
• Limited Government: Limited Government is meaningfully supported by HB 3383. The bill does not create a new agency or impose mandates. Participation in contracts is entirely optional, and the mechanism for cooperation already exists in Chapter 791 of the Government Code. This legislative change simply expands the permissible scope of those agreements to include water research and planning, allowing for more flexible and efficient intergovernmental solutions without expanding state power.

• SB 480 (Same As)