Last week, TNLA hosted a webinar with Jeremy Mazur, one of Texas’ leading voices on water policy, to examine how Proposition 4 and other statewide initiatives could shape the future of our state’s water supply, conservation, and infrastructure. Proposition 4—on the ballot this November—would dedicate $1 billion per year from existing sales tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund producing up to $20 billion of new funding over the next 20 years.

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Jeremy emphasized that while new funding tools are essential, Texas’ long-term water security will ultimately depend on sustained infrastructure investment and close collaboration among utilities, landscapers, growers, and irrigators. He highlighted the role TNLA members already play in leading the way—designing sustainable landscapes, advancing efficient irrigation practices, and advocating for balanced policies that promote both conservation and customer choice.
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 📺 Watch the full webinar here: https://youtu.be/lq-BuOC35qY
🎧 Listen to the full conversation here: https://tinyurl.com/bdfv6buk 

Water is the lifeline of our industry. Whether you’re a landscaper, grower, or irrigator, your ability to thrive depends on the reliability and rules of the system that supplies your water. Yet many Texans don’t know who their actual water purveyor is, or what authority sets the policies that affect their operations.

Understanding this is not just good business, it’s essential for protecting your livelihood and preparing for the future.

Step 1: Identify Your Water Provider
Your water can come from several types of sources:

🏙️City or Municipal Utility – Common in urban and suburban areas. These utilities often adopt drought contingency plans, watering restrictions, and rate structures that directly impact landscapes and irrigation.
🏢Private Provider or Investor-Owned Utility – Smaller systems that are still regulated but may have different policies and pricing structures.
🪣Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) – In many rural areas, a GCD manages groundwater pumping and permits. Districts were created at different times with different powers, so the rules vary greatly across Texas. TNLA supports GCDs being managed through locally elected boards rather than top-down mandates.
🗺️No District at All – In some areas, there is no conservation district, which can leave water users exposed to less oversight but also fewer protections for long-term supply.

To find your provider, check your most recent water bill or your county’s water utility listings. For groundwater users, consult the Texas Water Development Board’s list of GCDs.


Step 2: Learn Their Rules and Plans
Once you know your purveyor, the next step is to understand the framework that governs them:

🚦Drought Contingency Plans – These dictate how and when watering restrictions are implemented. For example, a Stage 1 drought may limit outdoor watering to twice a week, while Stage 3 could ban it altogether, which could mean nurseries, growers, and landscapers could face severe impacts if not prepared. Click here for an example of Austin’s Drought Contingency Plan.
🏗️Infrastructure Investments – Many utilities are building new or expanding existing treatment plants, negotiating water supply contracts, or exploring aquifer storage. These projects will affect both reliability and cost.


Step 3: Understand Regional Water Planning
Texas is divided into 16 Regional Water Planning Groups. Every five years, these groups develop plans that feed into the State Water Plan. Each plan identifies future supply needs and strategies to meet them.

If you’re in the green industry, you should know which region you’re in and review the plan.

• Irrigators are legally required to be represented in this process, but growers and landscapers have a stake too—because conservation targets, drought triggers, and water supply projects all ripple down to our members.

Step 4: Know Your Source
Different water sources bring different risks and rules:

🌊Surface Water (Rivers, Reservoirs) – Prone to drought shortages, often tied to large contracts with entities like the Brazos River Authority or Colorado River system.
💦Groundwater – Can be reliable, but subject to pumping limits or well spacing rules if a GCD is in place.
🔀Mixed Supply – Many cities now diversify, combining surface water contracts with groundwater leases.

The source matters because conservation policies often reflect their vulnerability. For example, a city reliant on surface water may adopt tighter outdoor watering restrictions than one with strong groundwater supplies.


Step 5: Put It into Practice
Once you understand who your purveyor is, take these steps:

1. 🤝Introduce Yourself – Reach out to your city’s conservation staff or GCD board. TNLA has seen the value of being a resource, not just a customer.
2. 🔔Stay Informed – Sign up for drought stage notifications, attend utility meetings, and review regional water plans.
3. 📣Be a Voice – Remind decision-makers that landscapes, nurseries, and irrigation systems are not optional luxuries but vital infrastructure for cooling cities, preserving green space, and supporting Texas’ economy. TNLA advocates for conservation that balances efficiency with customer choice.

Final Thought
Water policy in Texas is not one-size-fits-all. Districts were created at different times, under different laws, and with different powers. But no matter where you live or work, one fact is true: knowing your water purveyor and engaging with them gives you a seat at the table.

Our industry is part of the solution. By working with water providers and planning groups, we can ensure that Texas landscapes stay vibrant, sustainable, and resilient for generations to come.


📬 Questions or need help?
Contact Karan Mehta, Legislative & Regulatory Manager – [email protected]

A high-profile battle over groundwater in East Texas is drawing attention from lawmakers, water districts, and industry leaders across the state — including many TNLA members in East Texas and the Dallas–Fort Worth area.


Recently, WFAA published a detailed report on Dallas investor Kyle Bass’s plan to pump up to 15 billion gallons of water each year from rural East Texas. The project has sparked fierce local opposition and renewed debate over Texas’s century-old groundwater laws.


Legislative Response
In response, State Representative Cody Harris (R–Palestine), Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources, has filed a package of bills aimed at modernizing Texas’s groundwater rules. While he has urged the Governor to add them to the current Special Session agenda, it remains uncertain whether they will be taken up before the next regular legislative session in 2027.

Two bills in particular have emerged as his top priorities:

• HB 216 – Would limit how much groundwater a single permit holder can pump and transfer out of a groundwater conservation district. For new permits issued after the bill’s effective date, no single permit could authorize production and export of more than 5% of the district’s total modeled available groundwater, as determined by the Texas Water Development Board.
• HB 218 – Would require greater regional oversight for large-scale groundwater transfers. For wells capable of producing 25,000 gallons or more per day, the originating district would need to notify all other districts in its management area. At least two-thirds of those districts would need to approve the permit before it could be granted, with boards required to consider the impact on long-term water availability.

A Broader Debate Over Texas Water Law
The publicity surrounding Bass’s proposal has reignited conversations about the “rule of capture” — the nearly 120-year-old doctrine that allows landowners to pump as much groundwater as they want from beneath their property, regardless of impacts to neighboring wells.
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Lawmakers, local water districts, and stakeholders are now discussing what could be the most significant overhaul of groundwater governance in state history. Proposals under discussion include:

• Expanding state oversight
• Strengthening local conservation districts
• Potential major reforms to the rule of capture altogether

TNLA will continue monitoring these developments closely. Any changes to Texas groundwater law could have significant implications for our industry, and we will keep members informed as the legislative conversation unfolds. Questions? Please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected]

The Texas Legislature is back in session, and while 17 items are on the agenda, one stands out for the green industry: impact fees tied to water and development.


Here’s what you need to know:

📌 What’s Happening
Lawmakers are revisiting SB 1253, a bill that would require cities to offer credits on impact fees when developers go above and beyond to conserve water or reduce wastewater.

🧾 Why This Matters
​Cities use impact fees to fund water and sewer infrastructure for new developments. But these fees have gotten expensive—really expensive:

• Austin: $7,700 per single-family home
• San Antonio: $7,343–$11,528 depending on location
• Houston: $1,618
• Fort Worth: $2,999
  
  

With the average home around $300,000, these costs are adding up—and pricing people out.

🏗️ What It Means for Our Industry

• Pro: SB 1253 encourages smarter development and conservation.
• Con: Cities could tie lower fees to stricter landscape design rules—like mandatory plant lists or layouts.
  
  
  

The bill passed earlier this year but was vetoed due to unrelated politics. Now it’s back—and TNLA is tracking it closely to ensure any changes benefit your business and keep design flexibility intact.
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We'll continue to keep you informed as this develops.

Big news for Texas—and for every community that depends on reliable water.

This November, voters will decide whether to approve the largest water investment in our state’s history: a proposed $22.5 billion over the next 22 years to fix aging infrastructure, develop new water sources, and protect the long-term water supply for rural towns, cities, and the green industry alike.

This effort comes through two key pieces of legislation:
✅ Senate Bill 7 (SB 7)
✅ House Joint Resolution 7 (HJR 7)

If passed, these measures would constitutionally dedicate up to $1 billion per year—from state surplus funds—to support water projects beginning in 2027 and continuing through 2047.

Why It Matters
Water isn’t just a resource—it’s a legacy. And Texas is facing real challenges:

• Groundwater availability is projected to drop 25% by 2070
• Many rural communities are struggling with outdated or broken systems
• Population growth and development are putting more pressure on supply

This investment would support:
✔️ Desalination, water reuse, and aquifer storage projects
✔️ Upgrades to aging pipes and treatment facilities
✔️ Access to federal matching dollars
✔️ Support for small-town water systems

Governor Greg Abbott called this the “largest investment in water in Texas history”—and for good reason.

🌱 TNLA Is Involved
The Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA) strongly supported this legislation and worked with lawmakers to ensure our industry’s voice was heard. Water is vital to the success of landscape businesses, growers, and garden centers across the state—and it’s critical for the health of Texas communities.

What’s Next
📅 November 4, 2025 – Voters will decide the fate of HJR 7 at the ballot box.
This is a rare chance to secure long-term water funding for generations to come. TNLA will be doing its part to help educate members, clients, and voters about why this matters—and we hope you will too.
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Let’s invest in the future of Texas—together.

In this quick video update, we share how TNLA is investing in the next generation of green industry professionals—from hands-on programs to strategic partnerships. Discover how these initiatives are helping our members recruit, retain, and inspire a skilled workforce.

Two key leaders in the Texas Legislature have filed major proposals that could dedicate $1 billion every year to support water projects across Texas. This money would be in addition to the $2.5 billion of one-time funding which is in both the House and Senate budgets.


To make this happen, they are proposing constitutional amendments. In Texas, this is the only way to automatically set aside state funding for a specific purpose, like water, and protect it from shifting priorities in future legislative sessions. For these amendments to become reality, they’ll need two-thirds approval from lawmakers and voter approval in November.


Here’s a quick look at the two approaches:

• Senator Charles Perry’s proposal dedicates 80% of the funding to creating new water supplies, including projects like desalination, aquifer storage, and water reuse.
• Representative Cody Harris’s proposal allows for more flexible spending, supporting a wider range of needs like repairing old pipes, upgrading infrastructure, water conservation, and public education on water use.

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Both of these proposals are significant steps toward securing long-term, reliable water funding for Texas, and TNLA is actively monitoring and engaging on your behalf as these ideas move through the legislative process.

As the legislative session moves forward, several bills have been introduced that could have a direct impact on the nursery and landscape industry in Texas. From tax exemptions on agricultural inputs to water conservation policies and HOA regulations, these proposals could shape the way our industry operates for years to come.
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Below is a list of key bills that TNLA is monitoring—if any of these affect your business, please reach out with your thoughts, concerns, or insights. Your feedback is invaluable as we work to advocate for policies that support the Texas Green Industry.
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Tax Relief for Agricultural Inputs
HB 255 / HJR 31 by Rep. Guillen

• This bill would exempt agricultural inputs from the inventory tax, including seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other resources essential for plant production.
• A major win for growers and producers, helping lower costs and support agricultural businesses.

Right to Farm Protections
HB 1964 by Spiller & SB 1035 by Sparks

• Provides attorney fee provisions under the Right to Farm statute, ensuring that farmers and ranchers can recover legal costs when forced to challenge city regulations that threaten their livelihood.
• Strengthens legal protections for agricultural producers facing unnecessary regulatory burdens.

Landscaping & Water Conservation
HB 1424 by Rep. Goodwin

• Allows municipal water utilities to implement tiered pricing structures to encourage conservation, with excessive users paying higher rates.
• This could impact large-scale landscaping and irrigation costs.

HB 1245 by Rep. Goodwin

• Would require utilities to prohibit irrigation of commercial nonfunctional turf during drought conditions and enforce penalties for violations.
• Introduces new definitions for “functional” and “nonfunctional turf,” which could have broad implications for commercial and residential landscapes.

HB 2269 by Rep. Isaac

• Prohibits homeowners’ associations (HOAs) from requiring homeowners to install or maintain grass or turf landscaping.

SB 542 by Sen. Schwertner (Companion Bills: Rep. Harris-Davilla & Rep. Goodwin)

• Prohibits HOAs from fining homeowners if their lawns become brown or discolored due to local utility restrictions.
• Protects homeowners from unfair penalties while supporting water conservation efforts.

E-Verify Mandates for Government Contracts
HB 323 (Spiller), HB 1019 (Shaheen), HB 1308 (Tepper), HB 1488 (Louderback), HB 2744 (Vasut), SB 324 (Kolkhorst)

• Multiple bills have been filed requiring all governmental entities in Texas to use E-Verify for their employees and those they contract with.

Compost Use in TxDOT Projects
SB 736 by Sen. Menéndez

• Requires TxDOT to use at least 25% compost in its projects, standardizing a practice that some districts already follow.
• This could increase demand for compost production and recycling within the industry.

Environmental Regulations
HB 1637 by Rep. Hull

• Prohibits the use of herbicides containing glyphosate on the grounds of public or private schools, with an exception for crops grown as part of a curriculum.
• Could impact how landscapers and groundskeepers manage vegetation on school properties.

HB 3054 by Rep. Briscoe Cain

• Prohibits governmental entities, including state agencies, counties, and cities and more, from planting trees that are not native to any part of Texas.
• Texas A&M AgriLife would be responsible for creating a list of trees considered native to the state.
• This could significantly impact municipal landscaping projects and tree selection in public spaces.

Additional Bills to Watch
HJR 97 & HB 1370 (Rep. Raymond) – Proposes a constitutional amendment for property tax exemptions on xeriscaped land to promote water conservation.
HB 1592 (Rep. Plesa) – A refiled TNLA-supported bill that would require AgriLife to establish a statewide alert system for dangerous plants, pests, and diseases.

Get Involved – Your Voice Matters!
As these bills progress, TNLA needs to hear from you! If any of these proposals impact your business, please share your questions, concerns, or insights with us. Member input helps shape our advocacy efforts and ensures we are fighting for policies that support the industry.

Reach out to me at [email protected] to discuss how these legislative efforts might affect your business.
Let’s work together to protect and strengthen the Texas Green Industry!

Make an Impact: Join TNLA Legislative Day at the Capitol
​The 2025 TNLA Legislative Day at the Capitol is fast approaching, and your participation is more important than ever. This annual event, happening March 13, is a key opportunity for Texas’ green industry professionals to come together, meet with state lawmakers, and advocate for policies that directly impact our businesses.

Why Your Voice Matters
With the legislative session in full swing, lawmakers are making decisions that affect water resources, workforce development, and regulatory policies—all of which shape how we operate. When industry professionals like you engage directly with legislators, it helps ensure they understand the real-world impact of these policies.

What to Expect
Attendees will have the chance to:
✔ Meet face-to-face with key decision-makers
✔ Share industry experiences and challenges
✔ Ensure TNLA’s voice is heard where it matters most
Cost & Registration💰 Cost to Attend: $180 – This fee covers breakfast, lunch, and event expenses to ensure a productive and impactful experience.

Hotel Accommodations: Book your stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District, using our exclusive hotel block for the night before the event. Click here to reserve your room before Feb 20 deadline. If you call into the reservations line, the Group Code is TNLA

Support TNLA’s Advocacy Efforts
We’re also looking for sponsors to help make this event a success. If you or your company would like to support TNLA’s ongoing advocacy efforts, reach out—we’d love to have you involved.
Your presence at Legislative Day makes a difference. Register today and help shape the future of Texas’ green industry!

🔗 Register Now
Contact Information: For more information or questions, reach out to: Curtis Smith Email: [email protected] Phone: 512-579-3851
 We look forward to seeing you at the Capitol!

​TNLA Chairman Bobby Eichholz discusses his term, the Board's strategic plan, advocacy efforts, water and labor issues, and the rewards of leadership