BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2692
89R14439 SCF-F	By: Guillen (Perry)
	Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
	5/9/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The bill author has informed the committee that the current laws governing the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) are fragmented and outdated, leading to inefficiencies and confusion regarding SARA's powers, governance, and operations. The bill author has also informed the committee that as SARA manages critical water conservation, flood control, and environmental initiatives, it is essential that SARA's enabling legislation be clearly structured. The Sunset Advisory Commission in 2022 found that SARA's governing law is outdated and difficult for the public and SARA to find and understand, and recommended codification. H.B. 2692 seeks to address this issue by codifying and updating SARA's enabling legislation in order to make the legislation clearer, more consistent, and easier to navigate for the public, stakeholders, and SARA itself. 

H.B. 2692 amends current law relating to the San Antonio River Authority.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle G, Title 6, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Chapter 8513, as follows:

CHAPTER 8513. SAN ANTONIO RIVER AUTHORITY

Sets forth standard langue for the creation of the San Antonio River Authority (authority) in the San Antonio River Basin. Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:

Creation and approval of the authority (Sections 8513.0101-8513.0108);

Size, composition, election, terms, compensation and reimbursements of costs, powers, and duties of the board of directors of the authority (Sections 8513.0201-8513.0210);

Powers and duties of the district (Sections 8513.0301-8513.0330);

Regulatory power; enforcement and court review provisions (Sections 8513.0401-8513.0406);

General financial provisions, including the authority to impose an ad valorem tax once approved by voters at an election (Sections 8513.0501-8513.0607);

Authority to issue bonds and other obligations (Sections 8513.0701-8513.0708); and

Creation, imposition of a maintenance tax, power to issue bonds, and authority to annex territory in relation to a pollution control district (Sections 8513.0801-8513.0811).

Authorizes the authority to exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner provided by the general law applicable to a district created under Section 59 (Conservation and Development of Natural Resources; Development of Parks and Recreational Facilities; Conservation and Reclamation Districts; Indebtedness and Taxation Authorized), Article XVI (General Provisions), Texas Constitution.

SECTION 2. Repealer: Chapter 276, Acts of the 45th Legislature, Regular Session, 1937.

Repealer: Section 2, Chapter 504, Acts of the 55th Legislature, Regular Session, 1957.

Repealers: Sections 25 and 26, Chapter 233, Acts of the 57th Legislature, Regular Session, 1961.

Repealers: Sections 27 and 28, Chapter 233, Acts of the 57th Legislature, Regular Session, 1961.

Repealers: Sections 10 and 11, Chapter 836, Acts of the 61st Legislature, Regular Session, 1969.

Repealer: Sections 12, Chapter 836, Acts of the 61st Legislature, Regular Session, 1969.

Repealer: Section 2, Chapter 604, Acts of the 64th Legislature, Regular Session, 1975.

Repealers: Sections 4 and 5, Chapter 60, Acts of the 67th Legislature, Regular Session, 1981.

Repealers: Sections 2 and 3, Chapter 701, Acts of the 70th Legislature, Regular Session, 1987.

Repealers: Sections 13 and 14, Chapter 179, Acts of the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.