Bill > HB5659

This bill establishes new procedural requirements for the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District (the District) regarding interbasin water transfers. Specifically, before the District can enter into a contract for an interbasin transfer or acquire a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the Board of Directors must first hold a public hearing where any interested person can speak about the proposed transfer. The notice for this hearing must follow the same requirements as a standard Board meeting notice under the Water Code. Additionally, the bill requires that any interbasin transfer contract or permit must be approved by a majority vote of the governing bodies of at least five cities that are entitled to appoint directors to the District's Board. These provisions aim to increase transparency and local government input into significant water transfer decisions, ensuring that multiple municipal stakeholders have a say in potential water resource movements between different river basins.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5659