All Roll Calls
Yes: 351 • No: 0
TexasSB 240789th Legislature Regular SessionSenate
Relating to the Lower Neches Valley Authority, following recommendations of the Sunset Advisory Commission; specifying term length grounds for the removal of a member of the board of directors.
Sponsored By: César Blanco (Democratic), Stan Kitzman, Mayes Middleton (Republican), Tan Parker (Republican), Angela Paxton (Republican), Kevin Sparks (Republican)
Signed by Governor
LOWER NECHES VALLEY AUTHORITYGovernorSpecial Districts & Authorities--Water & UtilitySunset--Commission BillsPUBLIC NOTICESTAFF DEVELOPMENT & TRAININGSUNSET ADVISORY COMMISSION
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
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Public access to Lower Neches board
Beginning September 1, 2025, the Lower Neches Valley Authority board must adopt policies giving the public reasonable opportunities to speak. People can address any issue within the authority's jurisdiction. The authority must handle complaints promptly and efficiently and make its investigation and resolution procedures available. Its complaint records must identify the parties, issue, review or investigation findings, and outcome. Complaint parties must receive periodic status updates until final resolution, unless notice would jeopardize an investigation.
Regular reviews for Lower Neches authority
Effective September 1, 2025, the Lower Neches Valley Authority remains subject to Texas Sunset Act review. The review schedule uses September 1, 2037, and every 12 years afterward as assumed abolition dates, replacing 2025. However, the authority cannot be abolished under that Act.
Shorter terms for Lower Neches directors
Beginning September 1, 2025, Lower Neches Valley Authority directors serve staggered four-year terms instead of six-year terms. At the first board meeting afterward, three directors with July 28, 2031, term endings must draw lots. Two terms end July 28, 2029, and one ends July 28, 2027; terms already ending on those dates stay unchanged. The governor selects a director as president, who serves in that role at the governor's pleasure. The board must adopt and follow policies separating its policymaking role from the general manager's and staff's management duties.
New removal rules for authority directors
Beginning September 1, 2025, Lower Neches Valley Authority directors face removal for lacking required qualifications or violating local-government conflict-of-interest law. Illness or disability preventing service for a substantial part of a term is also grounds for removal. So is missing more than half of eligible regular meetings in a calendar year without a majority-board-approved excuse. The general manager must report known possible grounds to the president, who must notify the governor and attorney general. If the president is involved, the next-highest-ranking director handles that notice. Board actions remain valid even when grounds to remove a director exist.
Training required for Lower Neches directors
Effective September 1, 2025, required training applies to all Lower Neches Valley Authority directors, regardless of appointment date. Directors may participate through December 1, 2025; afterward, untrained directors cannot vote, deliberate, or count toward meeting attendance. Training covers governing laws, authority programs, functions, rules, budget, rulemaking limits, and the latest formal audit results. It also covers open meetings, public records, administrative procedures, conflicts of interest, other river-authority laws, and authority or Texas Ethics Commission ethics policies. The general manager must issue a training manual annually, and each director must sign acknowledgment of receiving and reviewing it. Appointees are entitled to reimbursement for training travel expenses; the law sets no dollar amount.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
César Blanco
Democratic • Senate
Stan Kitzman
House
Mayes Middleton
Republican • Senate
Tan Parker
Republican • Senate
Angela Paxton
Republican • Senate
Kevin Sparks
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Charles Perry
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/30/2025
Record vote
Yes: 31 • No: 0
House vote • 5/24/2025
Record vote
Yes: 132 • No: 0
House vote • 5/23/2025
Record vote
Yes: 138 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/9/2025
Record vote
Yes: 30 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/9/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Local Government
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Natural Resources
Yes: 13 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective on 9/1/25
6/20/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
6/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
6/1/2025HouseSigned in the House
6/1/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
5/31/2025SenateSenate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
5/31/2025HouseReported enrolled
5/30/2025SenateRecord vote
5/30/2025SenateSenate concurs in House amendment(s)
5/30/2025SenateRead
5/30/2025SenateHouse amendment(s) laid before the Senate
5/30/2025SenateHouse passage as amended reported
5/25/2025SenateStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
5/24/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3444)
5/24/2025HousePassed
5/24/2025HouseRead 3rd time
5/24/2025HousePassed to 3rd reading as amended
5/23/2025HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
5/23/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3382)
5/23/2025HouseAmended (1-Kitzman)
5/23/2025HouseRead 2nd time
5/23/2025HousePlaced on Major State Calendar
5/23/2025HouseConsidered in Calendars
5/20/2025HouseCommittee report sent to Calendars
5/12/2025HouseCommittee report distributed
5/12/2025House
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
Related Bills
SB 785, Relating to the regulation of new HUD-code manufactured housing.
SB 646, Relating to repayment of certain mental health professional education loans.
SB 650, Relating to requiring the use of electronically readable information to verify a purchaser's age in the retail sale of alcoholic beverages.
SB 25, Relating to health and nutrition standards to promote healthy living, including requirements for food labeling, primary and secondary education, higher education, and continuing education for certain health care professionals; authorizing a civil penalty.
HB 4325, Relating to civil liability for prohibited barratry.
HB 4042, Relating to the applicability of certain safety provisions and regulatory fees administered by the Railroad Commission of Texas to gas distribution pipelines.