Homeowners across Texas can now skip watering their lawns during drought restrictions without risking fines from their homeowners associations, thanks to new legislation passed this session. The measure, known locally as the “brown grass bill,” has drawn praise from Hill Country leaders who say it reinforces common-sense conservation practices.
While House Bill 359, initially championed by Rep. Vikki Goodwin, did not pass, a nearly identical bill, House Bill 517 by Rep. Caroline Harris Davila, succeeded. The new law prohibits HOAs from penalizing residents who comply with drought restrictions by limiting or stopping outdoor watering.
Local cities voice support
The cities of Bee Cave and Lakeway, both located in the Lake Travis area, publicly backed the effort. Bee Cave Communications Director Crystal Cotti called the bill a win for water stewardship, noting that outdoor irrigation accounts for nearly half of residential water use.
“Conserving water shouldn’t come with penalties,” Cotti said, adding that the legislation empowers homeowners to make sustainable choices during dry conditions.
Lakeway City Manager Joseph Molis said the law reflects how the city already handles enforcement, by using discretion when drought is a factor. He described the bill as consistent with Lakeway’s own approach to code compliance.
Efforts to expand xeriscaping rights stall
Goodwin also introduced House Bill 1432 to clarify homeowners’ rights to use native plants and drought-tolerant landscaping. Although Texas law technically allows xeriscaping, Goodwin said vague language has left room for HOAs to challenge it. HB 1432 aimed to close that gap, but it did not receive a hearing this session.
“We’ll continue to try,” she said.
Broader water legislation sees mixed results
Goodwin also backed House Bill 1344, filed by Rep. Ellen Troxclair, which would have given the Texas Water Development Board more flexibility to assist low-income areas with water infrastructure. That bill did not advance.
Still, with HB 517 signed into law, local leaders see real progress in balancing neighborhood standards with the realities of Texas drought.
