In this edition of news from HPWD:

• 89th Texas Legislative Updates on Groundwater Bills
• Hi-A Corn Breeding/Genetics Field Tour and Research Forum
• Rainfall in July Brings a Boost to Local Agriculture Crops
• HPWD Education Programs 
• Conservation Reminder
• Waste Reminder
• Administratively Complete Permit Applications
• Upcoming Events
• Texas Water News and Drought Update

89th Texas Legislative Updates on Groundwater Bills

The 89th Texas Legislature adjourned Sine Die on June 2, 2025. Legislators focused on property tax reform, education and school choice, and water during the regular session. High Plains Underground Water Groundwater Conservation District (HPWD) followed many bills affecting groundwater, but few made it to the finish line. Here is a brief synopsis of those bills which were signed by Governor Greg Abbott.

Senate Bill 7 and House Joint Resolution 7 represent a $20 billion investment over 20 years in Texas’s water infrastructure. The $1 billion annual allocation would come from state sales tax revenues, pending voter approval of the constitutional amendment proposed in HJR7 during the November 2025 election.
(Parts of SB 7, which creates the new water development fund, take effect at different times based on the passage of the constitutional amendment by HJR7.)

Senate Bill 1583: The bill aims to reduce confusion and streamline the administrative process for both groundwater conservation districts and the Texas Water Development Board, ensuring that management plans are consistent, transparent, and better equipped to address evolving groundwater resource challenges. (This relates to management plans adopted by groundwater conservation districts.)

House Bill 1633: The bill amends Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code and states that a district must consider whether a permitted well unreasonably affects a well registered with the district.

House Bill 1689: The bill adds language about what groundwater conservation districts can do with groundwater export fees.

House Bill 2078: The bill provides more direction and clarity on the desired future conditions (DFC)  joint planning process and adds a new requirement for districts to show they are on track with 50-year planning goals.

House Bill 5560: The bill updates the section in Chapter 36 that discusses civil penalty violations and provides more direction for courts when determining reasonable amounts of civil penalties.

What happens next?  As Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code changes, groundwater conservation districts must update their rules as needed to comply with these new laws.

Hi-A Corn Breeding/Genetics Field Tour and Research Forum

On Thursday, July 31, 2025, several HPWD staff members attended the Hi-A Corn Breeding/Genetics Field Tour and Research Forum at the Texas A&M AgriLife Halfway Station. The event spotlighted the groundbreaking work of Dr. Wenwei Xu, a recipient of numerous HPWD Research and Demonstration Grants, who is leading efforts to develop stress-tolerant Hi-A sweet corn for high-value production under limited irrigation.

Dr. Xu and his research team have developed several Hi-A sweet corn hybrids using pedigree breeding techniques. These specialty hybrids are rich in anthocyanins and antioxidants, making them a nutritious option for fresh produce, grain, and silage. Designed with health and profitability in mind, Hi-A corn offers a promising solution for small—to large-acreage producers navigating water scarcity.

The event featured on-site plot tours, expert insights into breeding advancements, opportunities, and discussions on hybrid performance, with a strong focus on Hi-A and short-season varieties.

HPWD General Manager Jason Coleman, P.E., presented on “High-Value Corn for Water Conservation.” He addressed the ongoing challenges for agricultural producers, where water resources are increasingly limited, and what the potential cost of water can mean to them. Coleman emphasized the importance of Dr. Xu’s research in developing drought-tolerant, short-season hybrids that help conserve water while supporting sustainable agriculture.

Attendees enjoyed a luncheon featuring enchiladas made with tortillas and chips from the TAMZ 102 Hi-A hybrid—generously provided by the local tortilla company, CASA RICA Tortillas- Mr. Joe Longoria, President. Fresh ears of TAMZ 102 corn were also available for sampling, giving guests a taste of the nutrient-rich crop.

Hi-A corn represents a forward-thinking approach to agriculture—combining science, sustainability, and economic viability to meet the needs of both farmers and consumers.

Rainfall in July Brings a Boost to Local Agriculture Crops

The July 2025 rainfall across the High Plains Water District can positively impact crop yields and reduce irrigation water usage, though some challenges remain.  Field Technician Supervisor, Billy Barron, states that most irrigation assessment program fields have used little groundwater during June and July.  Pumping groundwater is expensive and requires much labor, so rainfall saves producers a lot of money.  In some areas, the dryland crops are also healthy and have good yield potential.

Crop water needs are highest during the later part of summer, when reproductive growth and fruit retention are critically important.  As a result, additional rainfall is needed in August and September to maximize the yield potential.  Also, the inconsistent rainfall patterns mean that some growers need significant rain to make a crop.

"The HPWD irrigation assessment program provides a field-level analysis of rainfall and groundwater data so producers have site-specific information", said Barron.  If you want more information on this program, please contact Billy Barron at the HPWD office in Lubbock.

HPWD Education Programs

Awesome Aquifer Kits are free to schools in our service area. 

The kit provides access to the Awesome Aquifer 360 virtual laboratory, where students can experience and interact with the 3D models. This makes it easy to bring hands-on STEM experiences to the classroom!

Each classroom package includes five groundwater kits. The lessons incorporate topics such as the environment, water cycle, scientific modeling, and human impacts. They are easy to insert directly into your existing curriculum.

Education programs will be in full swing this coming fall. Jennifer McClendon, Education Coordinator, promotes water conservation knowledge by incorporating interactive games and hands-on STEM activities into her presentations for schools. 

If you need a program or presentation for a school, civic club, or other group, contact Jennifer McClendon at our office to schedule a program!

Conservation Reminder

Choose reusable water bottles and lunch containers!

Did you know it takes approximately 1.4 gallons of water to produce a typical single-use plastic bottle and about 0.3 gallons of water to make a single quart-sized plastic bag?

Reusable water bottles and lunch containers help conserve water, reduce plastic waste, save energy, and prevent pollution in landfills and waterways.

Waste Reminder

Water waste is prohibited pursuant to Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code and HPWD rules.  What is waste? This month we will look at Chapter 36.001(8)(G), waste is defined as the following:

(8)(G) for water produced from an artesian well, "waste" also has the meaning assigned by Section 11.205.

Sec. 11.205. WASTING WATER FROM ARTESIAN WELL. Unless the water from an artesian well is used for a purpose and in a manner in which it may be lawfully used on the owner's land, it is waste and unlawful to wilfully cause or knowingly permit the water to run off the owner's land or to percolate through the stratum above which the water is found.

If you need assistance or have questions about preventing water waste, contact the High Plains Water District office at (806) 762-0181.

Administratively Complete Permit Applications

Upcoming Events

Texas Water News and Drought Updates

• Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District (NTVGCD) in East Texas had a public hearing on June 19th. Texas Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine) spoke, and a hearing was held in Austin on July 15 to investigate the matter. You can view a recording of the hearing here.
• Cody Harris (R-Palestine) is drafting bills in the special legislative session to protect groundwater in East Texas. The updated story is here.
• The Executive Director of the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts (TAGD), Adam Foster, has a summary of the legislation impacting groundwater and groundwater conservation districts across Texas. Click here to read his wrap-up of the 89th Regular Session.
• The drought conditions map and the monthly outlook are updated.