Support HJR 7

HJR 7, which is currently pending in the Senate Finance Committee, amends the state constitution (with voter approval) to allow an investment of $1 billion per year to the Texas Water Fund. HJR 7 doesn’t specify how the annual investment should be allocated within the Texas Water Fund, giving the Texas Water Development Board the flexibility to direct funding where it’s most needed. The Senate version, SJR 66, proposes designating 80% of these funds for “new water supply” including desalination and processed produced water.

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Texas water infrastructure is in desperate need of improvement. ASCE rates Texas dams a D+, levees D-, drinking water D+, wastewater D-, and stormwater C-. View more details in ASCE’s 2025 report here.

In view of the dire need to protect public health and safety by upgrading our existing water infrastructure, the flexibility in HJR 7 must be maintained.

As a result, we need to continue to push for HJR 7 as a better solution to our impending water shortages; wait to see what happens to HB 2 as it moves through the Senate and goes to conference; and continue to push hard with our House members to stop SB 16.

Source: League of Women Voters of Texas