BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 480

By: Perry

Intergovernmental Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill sponsor has informed the committee that there is uncertainty in at least two regions of the state regarding whether certain types of local governments have clear legal authority to enter into interlocal agreements for joint research and planning activities related to water resources, including regional and state water and flood planning overseen by the Texas Water Development Board, planning for joint facilities, planning for the long-term management of aquifers, and various research efforts that provide the underlying science and data to support these planning activities. S.B. 480 seeks to clarify this issue by authorizing local governments to enter into agreements with other governmental entities to participate in joint research or planning regarding water resources.

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

S.B. 480 amends the Government Code to authorize a local government to contract with another local government, the state, or the federal government to jointly participate in research or planning activities related to water resources.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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