Texas House Bill 217 Shields Groundwater Districts From Liability Over Well Production Limits

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

Last action · July 28, 2025: FiledSponsors: Cody Harris and 18 others

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What This Bill Proposed

Official description

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

Why it matters

Well owners and agricultural or industrial operators lose the legal right to sue s for financial damages caused by restrictions on well water extraction. This shifts the financial risk of reduced water access entirely onto well owners.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Groundwater Conservation Districts

Groundwater conservation districts are granted immunity from financial liability for damages resulting from well production restrictions and regulatory enforcement.

Directly affected

Well Owners

Well owners lose the legal right to seek financial damages from groundwater districts when production from their wells is restricted or denied.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue a groundwater conservation district if it denies my well permit?

No. Under House Bill 217, districts are immune from liability for damages resulting from the issuance, renewal, amendment, denial, or enforcement of a permit.

Does this bill apply to lawsuits filed before the effective date?

No. The immunity applies strictly to a that accrues on or after the effective date of the Act.

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · introduced in the House.

Procedural history

1 action

Jul 28, 2025HouseIntroduced
Filed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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