Texas Senate Bill SB933

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 1/27/25

Caption

Relating to the location of meetings of the board of directors of a municipal utility district.

Impact

Should this bill be enacted, it will directly affect the operational procedures for MUD boards by imposing new requirements on the location of their meetings. Boards will have to ensure that they meet these stipulations to remain compliant with Texas law. For districts that have reached or surpassed the 50 percent development threshold, they would be allowed to hold meetings outside their jurisdiction only under specific conditions, such as receiving a petition from five qualified voters.

Summary

Senate Bill 933 aims to modify the regulations regarding the location of meetings for the boards of directors of municipal utility districts (MUDs) in Texas. The bill specifies that if less than 50 percent of the land area inside a district has been developed, meetings must be held at a publicly accessible location either within the district or not more than 10 miles outside of it. This change is intended to enhance community involvement and accessibility in decisions made by MUD boards, particularly in areas where development is not yet significant.

Contention

The provisions in SB933 aim to balance accessibility to board meetings while also respecting the districts' development status. Some stakeholders might argue that the requirement for meetings to be held within certain geographic limits could complicate arrangements for boards that may have members residing far from the district, especially in sparsely populated regions. On the other hand, proponents will argue that it fosters community engagement and transparency in governance, which is essential for districts serving the public interest.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Water Code

• Chapter 54. Municipal Utility Districts
  • Section: New Section