Bill > SB1359

This bill creates the Wise Regional Water District, a special district located in Wise County, Texas, with broad powers to manage water and wastewater services. The district will be governed by a board of directors appointed by participating municipalities, water districts, and the county commissioners court, with voting rights proportional to their water service contracts. Key provisions include the ability to plan, acquire, construct, and operate water and wastewater facilities, issue bonds, establish rates and fees, and create subdistricts within its service area. The district is empowered to acquire property and potentially exercise eminent domain (subject to certain limitations), but cannot levy ad valorem taxes. The bill establishes a customer advisory council, sets rules for adding or removing participants, and allows the district to provide services both within and outside its basic service area. Initially, the district will include Wise County and can expand to include additional municipalities and water districts through a formal petition and approval process. The bill also creates a mechanism for converting existing water supply corporations into subdistricts and provides detailed governance structures for both the main district and its potential subdistricts.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1359