TGWA is tracking proposed state legislation that could impact the groundwater industry and our members, including:

​Senate Joint Resolution 66 and House Joint Resolution 7: These bills propose a constitutional amendment, that if approved by voters, would direct a yearly amount of $1 billion from general revenue to the Texas water fund.

Senate Bill 100: This bill has been referred to the Senate Business & Commerce Committee. The bill proposes amendments to the Texas Occupations Code, specifically regarding the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) licensing of certain out-of-state applicants. The bill also proposes a maximum fee of $100 for out-of-state applicants, which is significantly lower than the fee for Texas applicants in many industries.

SB542: This bill has been referred to the Senate Business & Commerce Committee. It would prohibit property owners’ associations from assessing fines for discolored vegetation or turf during a period of residential watering restriction.

SB616 (Companion to HB1618): This bill passed out of the Senate committee on Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs. According to the Senate Research Center, the bill aims to maintain the current prohibition on waste injection wells in certain areas of the Edwards Aquifer, while allowing TCEQ to approve aquifer storage and recovery injection wells in those areas.

SB624 (Companion to HB1633): This bill has been referred to the Senate Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Committee. It involves the criteria considered by groundwater conservation districts before granting or denying a permit or permit amendment.

SB768: This bill has been referred to the Senate Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Committee. It would create a study by the University of Houston and state agencies on the effects of PFAS chemicals on public health, including health impacts of PFAS in groundwater.

SB879 (Companion to HB 1971): This bill builds on recent legislation and state rulemaking by creating an exemption for drillers or operators of closed-loop geothermal injection wells from certain Railroad Commission requirements.

On December 17, the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) adopted new rules relating to Shallow Closed-Loop Geothermal Systems.

​A recently-passed state law transferred regulatory authority of these systems from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to the RRC. 

This fall, the Texas Groundwater Association worked with members and industry stakeholders to recommend changes on the RRC’s proposed rules.

​The RRC agreed to consider TGWA’s suggestion of developing a best practices guideline document that will help industry comply with the new rules.

1. Become a Member
The easiest way to get involved? Become a TGWA member! Your membership is the key to networking opportunities, continuing education, advocacy on the state and national level, and industry news. Learn more here. 

2. Join a Committee
TGWA members volunteer to serve on committees that help move the association forward. Committees help plan our annual Convention, organize the TGWA Scholarship Foundation auction and raffle, advocate for legislation, and review nominations for annual awards. Learn more about joining a TGWA committee. 

3. Nominate a Board Member
Nominations for board candidates may be submitted to the TGWA Executive Director or any Nominating Committee member by a current TGWA member in good standing or by the nominee. To nominate yourself or another TGWA member, click here. 

4. Attend the Convention
The annual TGWA Convention is a great opportunity to connect with professionals across the industry. The convention also gives attendees a chance to earn up to 8 continuing education hours at once. 

5. Come to our Family Weekend 
Every year, the summer TGWA Board Meeting coincides with a Family Weekend of fun, food and activities. The 2025 Family Weekend will be hosted in Port Aransas, Texas, from July 18-20. 

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is reviewing state rules for Water Well Drillers and Water Well Pump Installers.

The state must review these rules every four years for re-adoption, revision, or repeal. 

Current rules cover everything from license requirements to continuing education to technical standards about water well completions.

TDLR asks these questions when reviewing each rule:

• Is it obsolete?
• Does it reflect current legal and policy considerations?
• Is it in alignment with current procedures of the Department?

Current rules are under Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 76 and can be viewed on the Texas Administrative Code website.

The Texas Groundwater Association is currently drafting recommendations about current rules to submit to TDLR, including previously proposed amendments:​

What is the Texas Groundwater Association? Learn about who we are and what we do in this new TGWA video. 

The Texas Groundwater Association hosted the Fall Board of Directors Meeting and a Membership Meeting in San Marcos on Saturday, November 2. 

On Friday, November 1, the TGWA Women's Division hosted a game night for board members. 

Saturday's meetings included amendments to the TGWA bylaws.

"Most of these changes were to get us compliant with the Business Organization Code for the state of Texas," said Bobby Bazan, TGWA Executive Director. "One of those big changes is changing our president-elect to a secretary, in title only." 

The TGWA Executive Committee now consists of the Immediate Past-President, President, and Secretary (previously the President-Elect officer position).

The changes rework the board of directors by removing some C&D chapter director seats and adding seats to the M&S division.   

"The chapters used to be really active," Bazan said. "... Over time a lot of those chapters have closed or not remained active." 

The TGWA board will now consist of: 
- 30 Contractors and Drillers members
- 15 Manufacturers and Suppliers members
- 10 Groundwater Science members 

The TGWA board also approved a Nomination and Election policy.  

To be eligible for election or appointment to the TGWA Board of Directors, an individual must meet the following qualifications:

1. Membership Requirement: The candidate must be a current member in good standing of the Texas Groundwater Association, as defined by the Association’s bylaws, and must have been so for a minimum of 3 years prior to the time of nomination or appointment.

2. Committee Participation Requirement:
a. The candidate must have actively participated as a member of at least one standing committee for a minimum of 2 years prior to the time of nomination or appointment.
b. Active participation is defined as attending at least 50% of scheduled committee meetings and fulfilling any assigned responsibilities or tasks in a timely and effective manner, as determined by the chairperson of the committee.
c. Must have a current board member or committee chair vouch for committee participation.

3. Commitment to the Mission: The candidate must demonstrate a commitment to the mission and values of the Texas Groundwater Association, as evidenced by their ongoing participation in organizational activities, programs, or events.

4. Skills and Expertise: The candidate should possess skills or experience that would contribute to the effective governance and strategic direction of the Association. Preferred skills include, but are not limited to, skills relevant to
the work of the Board of Directors.

The TGWA board may waive the committee participation requirement based on a candidate's other qualifications or experience. 

The TGWA Nominating Committee will verify that board candidates meet the qualifications and will advance a slate of candidates to each Division for election.

Nominations for board candidates may be submitted to the TGWA Executive Director or any member of the Nominating Committee by another current member in good standing or by the nominee on the form provided by the Association.

Board members whose term is expiring may seek reelection by expressing their nomination vocally to the Executive Director, Board President, or any member of the Nominating Committee.

All nominations must be submitted no less than thirty (30) days before the scheduled Division meeting in which elections or appointments will take place. No nominations will be accepted from the floor.

Want to join a TGWA committee? Have questions about Board of Directors nominations? Contact executive director Bobby Bazan at [email protected].  

​The next TGWA Board of Directors meeting will be hosted in conjunction with the Annual Convention in Lubbock on Thursday, January 30, 2025. 
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TGWA STAFF
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The Texas Groundwater Association is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024-2025 TGWA Scholarship Foundation awards. This year, 34 deserving students were awarded scholarships totaling more than $25,000. 

These scholarships represent our continued commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders and professionals in our state. 

The TGWA Scholarship Foundation awards are made possible by generous donors and the spirited participation of buyers at our annual auction who bid on items and purchase raffle tickets.

This year's Scholarship Foundation auction will be hosted on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 in Lubbock, Texas, in conjunction with the 2025 TGWA Convention. 

To see the full list of awardees, visit tgwa.org/scholarship-foundation. 

TGWA is accepting nominations for annual awards that will be presented during the 2025 Convention in Lubbock. 

Each year the Texas Groundwater Association recognizes individual members who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence and have contributed to growth of the water well industry in Texas.

Complete this form to nominate an individual. Nominations are due by November 15, 2024. 

For a list of past awardees, visit tgwa.org/member-awards.