All Roll Calls
Yes: 158 • No: 1
TexasHB 565589th Legislature Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Relating to the creation of the Fort Bend County Water Control and Improvement District No. 13; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.
Sponsored By: Gary Gates, Lois Kolkhorst (Republican)
Became Law
FORT BEND COUNTY WATER CONTROL AND IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 13Special Districts & Authorities--Water & UtilitySpecial Districts & Authorities--Water Control Improve Dist.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Limits on District Property Taking Powers
The district cannot use eminent domain outside its boundaries for road-project sites or easements, or for recreational facilities. Its eminent domain authority applies only if the act received two-thirds approval of all elected members in each legislative house. The law’s effective-date rule provides immediate effect with that vote; otherwise, the effective date is September 1, 2025. Without that vote, the district cannot exercise eminent domain under this provision.
District Financing Can Bring Uncapped Property Taxes
The district can issue bonds and other debt to fund authorized projects. Repayment sources include property taxes, impact fees, revenue, contract payments, grants, and other district money. For bonds backed partly or fully by property taxes, the board must levy an annual property tax. That tax has no limit on its rate or amount while any of those bonds remain unpaid. The law itself issues no debt and sets no household charge.
District Gains Road and Recreation Powers
The district can build, finance, improve, operate, and maintain paved or graveled roads and related drainage. It can transfer roads to Texas, a county, or a city for operation and maintenance. Projects must follow applicable city rules, including zoning, or county rules outside city limits and surrounding jurisdiction. The Texas Transportation Commission must approve plans for roads Texas will operate and maintain. The district can also develop recreational facilities and issue bonds, without limiting overlapping governments’ recreation powers.
Local Approval and Elected District Leaders
Each affected city must approve the district and included land before district elections, and the district must follow approval conditions. Temporary directors must hold an election to confirm creation and choose five permanent directors, who serve staggered four-year terms. Initial temporary terms end at that election or the law’s fourth anniversary, whichever comes first. Successor temporary directors can be appointed or reappointed for terms of up to four years, ending sooner upon permanent elections. After temporary terms expire without elected replacements, owners holding a majority of assessed real-property value can petition state environmental regulators. The regulators must appoint the five successor temporary directors named in that petition.
New Water District in Fort Bend
The law creates Fort Bend County Water Control and Improvement District No. 13. Its boundaries cover 911.580 net acres, after an exclusion from 956.942 gross acres. The district can collect, move, treat, and dispose of wastewater and build related systems. It can also control stormwater and provide drainage. The law does not guarantee construction or set household charges.
Voters Can Approve Additional District Taxes
The district can tax property for operations and maintenance after voters approve the tax. The board sets the rate, but cannot exceed the voter-approved cap. A separate tax can pay district contracts after a majority of voters who vote approve the contract terms. An approved contract can let the board change it without another election. The law sets no tax rates or household amounts.
District Debt Faces Votes and Road Limits
District voters must approve property taxes and bonds payable from those taxes. Tax-backed road bonds need approval from two-thirds of voters who vote. Total tax-backed road debt principal cannot exceed 25% of the district’s assessed real-property value when issued. This limits road debt, not individual tax bills. Debt backed by non-property-tax revenue or qualifying contract payments can be issued without an election.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Gary Gates
House
Lois Kolkhorst
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/28/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/28/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 5/21/2025
Record vote
Yes: 140 • No: 1
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Administration
Yes: 6 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Natural Resources
Yes: 12 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
See remarks for effective date
6/20/2025HouseFiled without the Governor's signature
6/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
5/31/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
5/31/2025SenateSigned in the House
5/30/2025HouseReported enrolled
5/30/2025HouseSenate passage reported
5/29/2025HouseRecord vote
5/28/2025SenatePassed
5/28/2025SenateRead 3rd time
5/28/2025SenateRecord vote
5/28/2025SenateThree day rule suspended
5/28/2025SenateVote recorded in Journal
5/28/2025SenateRead 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
5/28/2025SenateLaid before the Senate
5/28/2025SenatePlaced on local & uncontested calendar
5/28/2025SenateCommittee report printed and distributed
5/27/2025SenateRecommended for local & uncontested calendar
5/27/2025SenateReported favorably w/o amendments
5/27/2025SenateVote taken in committee
5/27/2025SenateConsidered in public hearing
5/27/2025SenateScheduled for public hearing on . . .
5/27/2025SenateReferred to Administration
5/25/2025SenateRead first time
5/25/2025SenateReceived from the House
5/22/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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