Rep. Ramon Romero Jr. introduced HB 5493, a bill on Water, to the Texas House on Friday, March 14 during the 89(R) legislative session, according to the Texas Legislature website.
More specifically, the official text was summarized by the state legislature as ’’relating to the diversion and discharge of water for desalination’’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
The bill mandates a joint study by the commission, Parks and Wildlife Department, and the General Land Office on the diversion and discharge of water for desalination from bays or arms of the Gulf of Mexico, with a focus on protecting marine life, local industries, and ecological health. The study will assess factors such as brine salinity, toxicity, temperature, and discharge location. A report with recommendations, if diversion is deemed appropriate, is due by Sept. 1, 2026. By Sept. 1, 2027, the commission must establish rules on permissible diversion, discharge locations, and a standardized permit application model. Until rules are set, applicants must consult the Parks and Wildlife Department and the General Land Office before constructing related facilities. The act takes effect Sept. 1, 2025.
Ramon Romero Jr., a member of the House Committee on Calendars, proposed another eight bills during the 89(R) legislative session. He is also a member of the House Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures and a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Ramon Romero Jr. is currently serving in the Texas State House, representing the state’s 90th House district. He replaced previous state representative Lon Burnam in 2015.
Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB 5421 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to the regulation of certain occupations by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, including the licensing of marriage and family therapists, marriage and family therapist associates, professional counselors, professional counselor associates, and social workers; authorizing fees |
| HB 5376 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to the authority of a municipality to restrict the use of toll roads by certain vehicles |
| HB 5374 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to the bilingual education allotment under the public school finance system |
| HB 5068 | 03/13/2025 | Relating to the creation of a Texas conditional driver’s permit, provisional Texas conditional driver’s permit, and Texas conditional learner permit; authorizing a fee |
| HB 4721 | 03/13/2025 | Relating to the licensing of marriage and family therapists, marriage and family therapist associates, professional counselors, professional counselor associates, and social workers, including certain out-of-state applicants |
| HB 4530 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the dedication and management of water rights placed in the Texas Water Trust |
| HB 3645 | 03/03/2025 | Relating to the applicability of the public information law to information of a toll project entity |
| HB 3644 | 03/03/2025 | Relating to the verification of the veteran status of inmates and prisoners |
