Texas House Bill HB1495

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to annual and special meetings of and election procedures for members of boards of directors for water supply or sewer service corporations.

Impact

The proposed changes in HB 1495 will significantly impact state laws governing water supply and sewer service corporations by establishing clearer election processes and voting guidelines. This could lead to a more organized and democratic way of selecting directors, ensuring that elected representatives are duly supported by the membership. By enforcing these amendments to the Water Code, the bill intends to reduce administrative issues and enhance member participation in governance, thereby potentially improving the service quality provided by these corporations.

Summary

House Bill 1495 addresses the operational procedures for boards of directors of water supply and sewer service corporations in Texas, specifically focusing on the protocols for annual and special meetings, as well as election procedures for directors. The bill aims to clarify and enhance the election process by stipulating requirements for candidates, including the need for member petitions to add a candidate's name to the ballot in organizations with over 1,500 members. This reform is designed to increase the transparency and integrity of the election processes within these corporations.

Contention

Despite the overall positive outlook on the bill, some concerns have arisen regarding the new petition requirement which could create barriers for potential candidates and hinder diversity on the board. Critiques have also been voiced about the potential for decreased member engagement if the process becomes overly cumbersome. Moreover, emergency situations where immediate governance change is needed may be delayed due to these stipulations, which could affect the responsiveness of corporations in addressing service issues.