BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 5655

By: Gates

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that an area located within Fort Bend County would benefit from the creation of a water control and improvement district. H.B. 5655 seeks to provide for the creation of such a district.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 5655 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the Fort Bend County Water Control and Improvement District No. 13 to provide certain improvements, projects, and services for public use and benefit. The bill provides for, among other provisions, municipal consent to the creation of the district and road project powers. The district's powers and duties include, subject to certain requirements of any municipal ordinance or resolution consenting to

the creation of and inclusion of land in the district and voter approval at an election, the authority to issue obligations and impose property, operation and maintenance, and contract taxes. The bill limits the district's exercise of the power of eminent domain and prohibits the district from exercising that power if the bill does not receive the necessary vote.

H.B. 5655 establishes that all applicable requirements relating to the following have been fulfilled and accomplished with respect to the bill:

· the legal notice of intention to introduce;

· governor action;

· Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recommendations; and

· the state constitution and laws and legislative rules and procedures.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.