Austin, TX – The Texas Legislature on Wednesday (May 21) passed Senate Bill (SB) 1662 by Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, and Rep. Ryan Guillen, R-Rio Grande City. The bill was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott, who can sign it, veto it or allow it to become law without his signature.

The bill was filed in direct response to complaints from families in Wilson County who reported persistent water quality issues including discoloration, sediment and cloudy drinking water. Carrie Wilcoxson, a Wilson County resident and advocate, testified in support of the bill and helped bring the issue to light at the Capitol.

“This bill is the result of listening carefully to constituents and responding with action,” Dean Senator Zaffirini said. “My SB 1662 will help ensure water testing reflects the conditions Wilson County families experience.”

Under current law the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is allowed to give public water systems advance notice before testing a well in response to a consumer complaint. Wilson County residents and local officials raised concerns that this allowed systems to treat their water temporarily before inspectors arrived, potentially skewing test results. SB 1662 addresses this loophole by requiring TCEQ give no more than 24 hours’ notice before testing begins.

To read more about SB 1662, including the bill’s language, click here.

Dean Senator Zaffirini has passed 1,411 bills, more than any legislator in the history of the State of Texas. This session Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick appointed her to the Senate Committees on Business and Commerce; Finance; State Affairs; and Natural Resources, of which she is Vice Chair. She also is his appointee to the Texas Judicial Council and the Texas Access to Justice Commission.

The senator made history as the first woman Dean of the Senate on Dec. 31, 2023. She succeeds 24 men who held the title since 1909, when it was first assigned to the longest-serving senator. The seventh of only 25 women who have served with 954 male senators in 89 Texas Legislatures, she and Eddie Bernice Johnson joined Cyndi Krier in 1987, marking the first time more than one woman served in the 31-member body. Today there are eight women senators.

Photo Credit: Office of Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini, Ph.D.

Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini pictured with Carrie Wilcoxson of Wilson County after Carrie’s testimony in support of Senate Bill 1662.

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