All Roll Calls
Yes: 367 • No: 57
TexasSB 119489th Legislature Regular SessionSenate
Relating to creating the Central Texas Water Alliance; providing authority to issue bonds; granting the power of eminent domain; providing authority to impose fees.
Sponsored By: Brad Buckley, Pat Curry, Pete Flores (Republican), Hillary Hickland, David Spiller
Signed by Governor
BELL COUNTY WATER CONTROL & IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1CENTRAL TEXAS WATER ALLIANCECLEARWATER UNDERGROUND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTBELL COUNTYMCLENNAN COUNTYCity Government--UtilitiesCounty Government--GeneralSpecial Districts & Authorities--Water & UtilitySpecial Districts & Authorities--Water Control Improve Dist.Water--DevelopmentPUBLIC NOTICE
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.
Property takings face water rights limits
The law ties the Alliance's eminent-domain power to two-thirds approval in both legislative chambers. With that approval, the Alliance can take property interests needed for its authorized work under Texas eminent-domain procedures. Without that approval, the law prohibits the Alliance from using eminent domain. The Alliance cannot use eminent domain to take groundwater rights, water, or water rights. No specific properties or payment amounts are identified.
Alliance investors receive state tax exemptions
Alliance bonds, notes, and other qualifying debt are exempt from Texas state and local taxes. The exemption also covers related transactions, interest, and profits from selling those obligations. This law does not establish a federal tax exemption or specify an investor savings amount.
Sponsors appoint and control water directors
Except for the initial board, the Alliance has 5–18 directors, with seats based on each sponsor's contracted water amount. Each sponsor appoints at least one director and can remove its appointee at any time, with or without cause. Sponsors fill vacant seats for the remaining term. Directors must be at least 18 and either live in Alliance territory or work for a sponsor; sponsor officials can serve. Annual appointments run January 1–February 28, with staggered three-year terms beginning March 1 and a five-consecutive-term limit. Initial appointments are required 30–90 days after the law takes effect, with staggered expirations on February 28 in 2027, 2028, and 2029.
New Central Texas regional water authority
The law creates the Central Texas Water Alliance for regional water and wastewater services. Initial sponsors are Bell County, McLennan County, Bell County Water Control & Improvement District No. 1, and Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District. Its territory covers sponsor boundaries and service areas, plus areas later added under law. The Alliance can build and operate reservoirs, wells, treatment plants, water reuse systems, and underground water storage projects. It can serve wholesale customers inside or outside its boundaries and enforce water-saving and drought plans. The law requires no specific project or household water restriction. It takes effect immediately with two-thirds approval in both legislative chambers; otherwise, its effective date is September 1, 2025.
Water board safeguards and lawsuit limits
Directors must disclose when their appointing sponsor regulates an issue before the board and stop taking part. They cannot attend closed meetings on that issue. They cannot vote unless a majority of directors must file the same kind of disclosure. Directors are public officials, and directors and officers receive governmental immunity for actions in their official roles. That immunity can limit residents' legal claims over covered actions.
Water fees, but no Alliance property tax
The Alliance must set rates and fees, which can differ by customer group, project, or service area. Contracting entities must collect and pledge enough money to cover their required payments. The Alliance cannot impose its own property tax, but contracting entities can pledge property taxes they have authority to impose. Contract payments count as operating expenses unless an earlier debt obligation prevents that treatment. Household effects can flow through local water bills or pledged local revenues; the law sets no dollar amounts.
Joining or leaving carries water obligations
The board can admit a local government or private entity when membership benefits it and serves the Alliance's interests. Joining adds its territory or service area and brings Alliance rights, duties, assets, and financial obligations. Local governments must publish notice weekly for two consecutive weeks, starting at least 14 days before the admission order takes effect. A sponsor can request removal, but leaving cannot conflict with outstanding Alliance debt. The board can require payment of debt issued for that sponsor, a proportional share of other debt when permitted, and transition steps. Membership continues until those conditions are satisfied; former sponsors can still contract for services.
Utility transfers need no voter approval
Sponsors can transfer utility facilities, assets, or ownership interests to the Alliance without holding an election. These transfers are exempt from Chapter 1502 of the Texas Government Code. This gives sponsors a simpler transfer path but removes an election requirement for these transfers. The law sets no related household payment or rate change.
Water projects gain revenue-backed borrowing options
The Alliance can accept gifts, grants, loans, and other money, and issue revenue-backed debt without an election. Debt repayment comes only from available funds or revenues, including service fees, water sales, facility income, and contracts. Debt can carry liens or mortgages on facilities, be sold publicly or privately, and replace earlier debt. Repayment forecasts can include rate increases when the approving resolution states an intent to raise rates as needed. The law provides no fixed funding amount, bond amount, or rate increase.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Brad Buckley
House
Pat Curry
House
Pete Flores
Republican • Senate
Hillary Hickland
House
David Spiller
House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/30/2025
Record vote
Yes: 121 • No: 20
House vote • 4/29/2025
Record vote
Yes: 121 • No: 25
Senate vote • 3/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 27 • No: 3
Senate vote • 3/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 27 • No: 3
Senate vote • 3/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 27 • No: 3
Senate vote • 3/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 27 • No: 3
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Natural Resources
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective immediately
5/15/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
5/15/2025HouseSent to the Governor
5/6/2025HouseSigned in the House
5/5/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
5/5/2025SenateReported enrolled
4/30/2025SenateHouse passage reported
4/30/2025SenateStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
4/30/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#949)
4/30/2025HousePassed
4/30/2025HouseRead 3rd time
4/30/2025HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
4/29/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#896)
4/29/2025HousePassed to 3rd reading
4/29/2025HouseRead 2nd time
4/29/2025HouseLaid out in lieu of companion (HB 2626)
4/29/2025HouseCommittee report sent to Calendars
4/29/2025HouseCommittee report distributed
4/28/2025HouseComte report filed with Committee Coordinator
4/28/2025HouseReported favorably w/o amendment(s)
4/24/2025HouseConsidered in formal meeting
4/24/2025HouseReferred to Natural Resources
4/9/2025HouseRead first time
4/9/2025HouseReceived from the Senate
3/31/2025HouseReported engrossed
3/27/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
Related Bills
SB 2111, Relating to legal representation of indigent persons in this state and to proceedings before a magistrate including the appointment of counsel for an indigent defendant.
SB 1838, Relating to the appointment of attorneys ad litem and the compensation of certain attorneys ad litem in suits affecting the parent-child relationship filed by a governmental entity.
SB 3, Relating to the regulation of products derived from hemp, including consumable hemp products and the hemp-derived cannabinoids contained in those products; requiring occupational licenses and permits; imposing fees; creating criminal offenses; authorizing an administrative penalty.
SB 2878, Relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures related to proceedings in the judicial branch of state government, including court security, court documents and arrest warrants, document delivery, juvenile boards, constitutional amendment election challenges, mandatory expunction for certain persons, record retention, and youth diversion; increasing a criminal penalty; authorizing fees.
SB 646, Relating to repayment of certain mental health professional education loans.
HB 4325, Relating to civil liability for prohibited barratry.