# Texas SB 1194: Relating to creating the Central Texas Water Alliance; providing authority to issue bonds; granting the power of eminent domain; providing authority to impose fees. Texas SB 1194, Relating to creating the Central Texas Water Alliance; providing authority to issue bonds; granting the power of eminent domain; providing authority to impose fees., is a 89th Legislature Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Brad Buckley, Pat Curry, Pete Flores (Republican) and 2 others; status signed, last action 2025-05-15 (Effective immediately) (as of 2026-10-19). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/TX-SB1194-89R - As of: 2026-10-19 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Texas SB 1194 - State: Texas - Session: 89th Legislature Regular Session - Title: Relating to creating the Central Texas Water Alliance; providing authority to issue bonds; granting the power of eminent domain; providing authority to impose fees. - Status: signed - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2025-02-10 - Last action: 2025-05-15, Effective immediately - Sponsors: Brad Buckley, Pat Curry, Pete Flores (Republican), Hillary Hickland, David Spiller - Cosponsors: 0 - Subjects: BELL COUNTY WATER CONTROL & IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1, CENTRAL TEXAS WATER ALLIANCE, CLEARWATER UNDERGROUND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT, BELL COUNTY, MCLENNAN COUNTY, City Government--Utilities, County Government--General, Special Districts & Authorities--Water & Utility, Special Districts & Authorities--Water Control Improve Dist., Water--Development, PUBLIC NOTICE - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 8 (367 yes, 57 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 9 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Alliance investors receive state tax exemptions: benefit, low. 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: benefit, low. 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 b… - New Central Texas regional water authority: benefit, low. 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… - Property takings face water rights limits: cost, medium. 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 e… - Water board safeguards and lawsuit limits: mixed, low. 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… - Water fees, but no Alliance property tax: mixed, low. 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 ha… - Joining or leaving carries water obligations: mixed, low. 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 consecutiv… - Utility transfers need no voter approval: mixed, low. 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 l… - Water projects gain revenue-backed borrowing options: mixed, low. 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… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Brad Buckley, House - Sponsor: Pat Curry, House - Sponsor: Pete Flores (Republican), Senate - Sponsor: Hillary Hickland, House - Sponsor: David Spiller, House ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2025-04-30 | House | Record vote | pass | 121 | 20 | | | 2025-04-29 | House | Record vote | pass | 121 | 25 | | | 2025-03-27 | Senate | Record vote | pass | 27 | 3 | | | 2025-03-27 | Senate | Record vote | pass | 27 | 3 | | | 2025-03-27 | Senate | Record vote | pass | 27 | 3 | | | 2025-03-27 | Senate | Record vote | pass | 27 | 3 | | | | House | Committee vote: Natural Resources | pass | 11 | 0 | | | | Senate | Committee vote: Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs | pass | 6 | 0 | | ## Actions (50) - 2025-05-15: Effective immediately (House) - 2025-05-15: Signed by the Governor (House) - 2025-05-06: Sent to the Governor (House) - 2025-05-05: Signed in the House (House) - 2025-05-05: Signed in the Senate (Senate) - 2025-04-30: Reported enrolled (Senate) - 2025-04-30: House passage reported (Senate) - 2025-04-30: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House) - 2025-04-30: Record vote (RV#949) (House) - 2025-04-30: Passed (House) - 2025-04-30: Read 3rd time (House) - 2025-04-29: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House) - 2025-04-29: Record vote (RV#896) (House) - 2025-04-29: Passed to 3rd reading (House) - 2025-04-29: Read 2nd time (House) - 2025-04-29: Laid out in lieu of companion (HB 2626) (House) - 2025-04-29: Committee report sent to Calendars (House) - 2025-04-28: Committee report distributed (House) - 2025-04-28: Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator (House) - 2025-04-24: Reported favorably w/o amendment(s) (House) - 2025-04-24: Considered in formal meeting (House) - 2025-04-09: Referred to Natural Resources (House) - 2025-04-09: Read first time (House) - 2025-03-31: Received from the Senate (House) - 2025-03-27: Reported engrossed (Senate) - 2025-03-27: Record vote (Senate) - 2025-03-27: Passed (Senate) - 2025-03-27: Read 3rd time (Senate) - 2025-03-27: Record vote (Senate) - 2025-03-27: Three day rule suspended (Senate) - 2025-03-27: Record vote (Senate) - 2025-03-27: Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment (Senate) - 2025-03-27: Record vote (Senate) - 2025-03-27: Rules suspended-Regular order of business (Senate) - 2025-03-26: Placed on intent calendar (Senate) - 2025-03-25: Not again placed on intent calendar (Senate) - 2025-03-24: Recommendations filed with the Senate (Senate) - 2025-03-20: Placed on intent calendar (Senate) - 2025-03-17: Committee report printed and distributed (Senate) - 2025-03-17: Recommended for local & uncontested calendar (Senate) - 2025-03-17: Reported favorably as substituted (Senate) - 2025-03-17: Vote taken in committee (Senate) - 2025-03-17: Testimony taken in committee (Senate) - 2025-03-17: Considered in public hearing (Senate) - 2025-03-17: Scheduled for public hearing on . . . (Senate) - 2025-02-28: Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs (Senate) - 2025-02-28: Read first time (Senate) - 2025-02-10: Transmitted to the Governor (Senate) - 2025-02-10: Filed (Senate) - 2025-02-10: Received by the Secretary of the Senate (Senate) ## Bill text - Engrossed: [HTML](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB01194E.HTM), [PDF](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB01194E.PDF) - Enrolled: [HTML](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB01194F.HTM), [PDF](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB01194F.PDF) - House Committee Report: [HTML](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB01194H.HTM), [PDF](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB01194H.PDF) - Introduced: [HTML](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB01194I.HTM), [PDF](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB01194I.PDF) - Senate Committee Report: [HTML](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB01194S.HTM), [PDF](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB01194S.PDF) ## 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… (vetoed) - 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… (vetoed) - SB 3: Relating to the regulation of products derived from hemp, including consumable hemp products and the hemp-derived cannabinoids contained in those products; req… (vetoed) - 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… (vetoed) - SB 646: Relating to repayment of certain mental health professional education loans. (signed) - HB 4325: Relating to civil liability for prohibited barratry. (became law) ## Sources - [Engrossed (HTML)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB01194E.HTM) - [Engrossed (PDF)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB01194E.PDF) - [Enrolled (HTML)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB01194F.HTM) - [Enrolled (PDF)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB01194F.PDF) - [House Committee Report (HTML)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB01194H.HTM) - [House Committee Report (PDF)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB01194H.PDF) - [Introduced (HTML)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB01194I.HTM) - [Introduced (PDF)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB01194I.PDF) - [Senate Committee Report (HTML)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB01194S.HTM) - [Senate Committee Report (PDF)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB01194S.PDF) ## Related - [SB 2111: Relating to legal representation of indigent persons in this state and to proce…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/TX-SB2111-89R) - [SB 1838: Relating to the appointment of attorneys ad litem and the compensation of certa…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/TX-SB1838-89R) - [SB 3: Relating to the regulation of products derived from hemp, including consumable…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/TX-SB3-89R) - [SB 2878: Relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures re…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/TX-SB2878-89R) - [SB 646: Relating to repayment of certain mental health professional education loans.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/TX-SB646-89R) - [HB 4325: Relating to civil liability for prohibited barratry.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/TX-HB4325-89R) - [Texas bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/texas/bills) - [Texas state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/texas) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/TX-SB1194-89R (as of 2026-10-19).