Estimated Time to Read: 3 minutes
Texas Policy Research submitted the following written testimony to all members of the Texas House Committee on Natural Resources ahead of its interim hearing.
- Committee: House Committee on Natural Resources
- Hearing Date: August 24, 2026
- Context: 89th Legislature, Interim
- Subject: Regional Water Planning
- Position: Informational
- Texas Liberty Compact:
- Submitted By: Jeramy Kitchen
- Entity: Texas Policy Research Action (TPRA)
The text below reproduces the testimony as submitted to the committee.
The submitted document linked above is the authoritative version.
Chairman Harris and Members of the Committee,
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments regarding innovative water supply strategies and implementation of the New Water Supply for Texas Fund.
Texas's continued economic and population growth will require substantial investments in new water supplies. Rather than viewing that growth as a problem to manage, policymakers should focus on ensuring Texas has the infrastructure necessary to support future generations. The Legislature appropriately recognized this need by authorizing financing for projects that create new water supplies, including desalination, produced water treatment, aquifer storage and recovery, and related infrastructure.
As implementation continues, accountability should remain paramount. Projects receiving financial assistance should demonstrate measurable increases in reliable water supply, long-term financial sustainability, and consistency with regional and state water planning priorities. Taxpayer resources should be directed toward projects capable of producing lasting public benefits.
The Legislature should also continue identifying unnecessary regulatory barriers that delay innovative projects. Lengthy permitting processes, duplicative reviews, and outdated regulations increase costs and postpone much-needed infrastructure. Streamlining these processes can accelerate investment without compromising environmental protections or public accountability.
Innovation should remain technology neutral. Desalination, produced water treatment, aquifer storage and recovery, water reuse, conservation technologies, and future innovations should compete based on their ability to deliver reliable, cost-effective water supplies. Government should establish clear rules while allowing engineers, entrepreneurs, utilities, and local communities to determine the most effective solutions.
As Texas continues attracting new residential, commercial, and industrial development, policymakers should also ensure that major new water users contribute appropriately toward the infrastructure necessary to serve that growth. Growth should pay for growth whenever feasible, protecting existing ratepayers while preserving a competitive business environment.
Texas has historically prospered by planning ahead while allowing innovation and markets to solve complex challenges. By emphasizing accountability, regulatory efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and private-sector innovation, the Legislature can strengthen Texas' long-term water security while remaining good stewards of taxpayer resources.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sources
- New Water Supply for Texas Fund, Texas Water Development Board [URL needed]
- Senate Bill 28 (SB 28), 88th Legislative Session (2023)
- 2027 State Water Plan, Texas Water Development Board
Related TPR Work
- 89th Legislative Session Policy Brief: Water & Energy, July 2025
- Texas Water Plan Shows $174B Price Tag and Growing Supply Gap, April 2026
- Corpus Christi Water Crisis and What Comes Next, March 2026
- TPR Written Testimony, Regional Water Planning, House Committee on Natural Resources, August 24, 2026
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