TX
Texas Senate Bill SB1169

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1169

Filed
2/7/25  
Out of Senate Committee
4/16/25  
Voted on by Senate
4/29/25  
Out of House Committee
5/5/25  
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the provision of water or sewer service by public entities operating jointly or concurrently.

Impact

The legislation aims to improve the reliability and scope of water and sewer services offered by municipal governments by minimizing bureaucratic hurdles and encouraging shared resources. By permitting public entities to jointly invest in infrastructure, SB1169 addresses existing gaps in service provision and promotes the pooling of resources, which can significantly lower costs. This can lead to improved maintenance and future expansion, particularly in underserved areas or where multiple entities previously struggled to coordinate services effectively.

Summary

Senate Bill 1169 (SB1169) focuses on the provision of water and sewer services by public entities that operate either jointly or concurrently. This bill amends multiple sections of the Local Government Code to clarify and expand the powers of public utility agencies, which are created under the subchapter to manage water and sewer services. Specifically, SB1169 allows for better coordination among municipal entities and facilitates financing mechanisms for infrastructure needs. It ensures that participating public entities can collaboratively undertake the planning, acquisition, and operation of essential services, which is crucial for enhancing the efficiency of water and sewer management across Texas.

Sentiment

General sentiment regarding SB1169 appears to be cautiously optimistic, with proponents emphasizing the need for improved collaboration among public entities to tackle pressing infrastructure issues. However, some concerns were raised about potential overreach by state-level regulations that may intrude into local management practices or diminish local governance. The debate reflects a broader discussion concerning the balance between state oversight and local autonomy, with supporters advocating for streamlined processes while opponents champion localized decision-making.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB1169 include apprehensions that the bill could centralize too much authority and reduce the flexibility of local governments to respond to the specific needs of their communities. Critics argue that while the intent of the bill is to foster collaboration and economic efficiency, it may inadvertently undermine local control and dilute public accountability. Additionally, there are discussions on the specific mechanisms for rate changes and appeals that may not adequately reflect the diverse viewpoints of affected constituents, raising questions about transparency and citizen participation.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Local Government Code

  • Chapter 572. Public Utility Agencies For Provision Of Water Or Sewer Service
    • Section: 001
    • Section: 012
    • Section: 051
    • Section: 052
    • Section: 053
    • Section: 061
    • Section: 062
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: 001
    • Section: 012
    • Section: 051
    • Section: 052
    • Section: 053
    • Section: 058
    • Section: 061
    • Section: 062
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: 001
    • Section: 012
    • Section: 051
    • Section: 052
    • Section: 053
    • Section: 058
    • Section: 061
    • Section: 062
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: 001
    • Section: 012
    • Section: 051
    • Section: 052
    • Section: 053
    • Section: 058
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: 061
    • Section: 062
    • Section: 001
    • Section: 012
    • Section: 051
    • Section: 052
    • Section: 053
    • Section: 058
    • Section: 062
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: 001
    • Section: 012
    • Section: 051
    • Section: 052
    • Section: 053
    • Section: 058
    • Section: 062
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: 001
    • Section: 012
    • Section: 051
    • Section: 052
    • Section: 053
    • Section: 058
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: 061
    • Section: 062

Water Code

  • Chapter 13. Water Rates And Services
    • Section: 002
    • Section: 043
    • Section: 242
    • Section: 002
    • Section: 043
    • Section: 242
    • Section: 002
    • Section: 043
    • Section: 242
    • Section: 002
    • Section: 043
    • Section: 242
    • Section: 002
    • Section: 043
    • Section: 002
    • Section: 043
    • Section: 242
    • Section: 002
    • Section: 043
    • Section: 242

Latest SB1169 Activity

Companion Bills

TX HB1407

Similar To Relating to the provision of water or sewer service by public entities operating jointly or concurrently; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments.

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