H.B. No. 2815         AN ACT   relating to the powers, authorities, duties, and responsibilities   of certain conservation and reclamation districts and to notice a   person who proposes to sell or convey real property located in any   of certain conservation and reclamation districts must provide to a   prospective purchaser of that property.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 375.022, Local Government Code, is   amended by adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows:          (d)  The petition may request that a succeeding board of   directors be elected under Section 375.0645 instead of being   appointed under Section 375.064.          (e)  On receipt by the commission of a petition that complies   with this section, the commission shall issue a notice indicating   that the petition is administratively complete and may conduct a   hearing on the petition in the manner provided by Section 49.011,   Water Code, if the commission determines that a hearing is   necessary.          SECTION 2.  Section 375.025(c), Local Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (c)  If [after the hearing] the commission finds that the   petition is sufficient and conforms to the requirements of Section   375.022(c) and that the district is feasible [and necessary] and   would benefit the public, the commission by order shall make that   finding and grant the petition. In determining if the project is   feasible [and necessary] and would benefit the public, the   commission shall consider:                (1)  the availability of comparable services from other   systems, including special districts, municipalities, and regional   authorities; and                (2)  the reasonableness of the proposed public purpose   projects and services.          SECTION 3.  Subchapter D, Chapter 375, Local Government   Code, is amended by adding Section 375.0645 to read as follows:          Sec. 375.0645.  ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.  (a)  This section   applies only to a district created by order of the commission   providing for an elected board of directors as requested in the   petition requesting creation of the district as provided by Section   375.022(d).          (b)  The commission shall appoint the initial directors   under Section 375.026, and subsequent directors are elected in the   manner provided by Subchapter D, Chapter 49, Water Code.          (c)  An elected director is entitled to receive fees of   office and reimbursement for actual expenses as provided by Section   49.060, Water Code.          (d)  Sections 375.069 and 375.070 do not apply to an elected   director.          (e)  Section 49.052(f), Water Code, does not exempt an   elected director from disqualification under that section.          (f)  Sections 375.064, 375.161, and 375.243 do not apply to a   district with an elected board.          SECTION 4.  Section 375.065, Local Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 375.065.  REMOVAL OF DIRECTOR. The governing body of   the municipality after notice and hearing may remove a director   appointed by the municipality for misconduct or failure to carry   out the director's duties on petition by a majority of the remaining   directors.          SECTION 5.  Section 375.067(a), Local Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a)  As soon as practicable after a director is appointed or   elected as provided by this subchapter, the director shall execute   a $10,000 bond payable to the district and conditioned on the   faithful performance of the director's duties.          SECTION 6.  Section 375.068, Local Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 375.068.  OFFICERS. After directors are appointed or   elected as provided by this subchapter and have qualified by   executing a bond and taking the oath, they shall organize by   electing a president, a vice-president, a secretary, and any other   officers the board considers necessary.          SECTION 7.  Section 375.071, Local Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 375.071.  QUORUM.  (a)  One-half of the serving   directors constitutes a quorum, and a concurrence of a majority of a   quorum of directors is required for any official action of the   district.          (b)  If at least two-thirds of the directors execute a   written consent at any time, a majority of a quorum at a board   meeting may [The written consent of at least two-thirds of the   directors is required to] authorize the levy of assessments, the   levy of taxes, the imposition of impact fees, or the issuance of   bonds. A director may execute a written consent outside of a board   meeting.          SECTION 8.  Section 375.161(b), Local Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (b)  This section does not apply to a tax or assessment, if a   tax is authorized or approved by the voters of the district, or to a   required payment for a service provided by the district, including   water and sewer services.          SECTION 9.  Section 375.208, Local Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 375.208.  COMMISSION APPROVAL. A district must obtain   approval of the commission as provided by Section 49.181 [Chapter   54], Water Code, only if the [it issues] bonds are to provide water,   sewage, or drainage facilities. [Except as expressly provided by   this section and Sections 375.062 and 375.064, a district is not   subject to the jurisdiction of the commission.]          SECTION 10.  Section 3919.205(d), Special District Local   Laws Code, is amended to read as follows:          (d)  The district shall generate and implement a program to   provide notice modeled on the notice described by Section 49.4521   [49.452(c)], Water Code, to a prospective purchaser of property in   the district of the assessments that have been approved and are   imposed by the district.          SECTION 11.  Section 49.011(a), Water Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (a)  On receipt by the commission of all required   documentation associated with an application for creation of a   district by the commission under Chapter 36, 50, 51, 54, 55, 58, 65,   or 66 of this code or Chapter 375, Local Government Code, the   commission shall issue a notice indicating that the application is   administratively complete.          SECTION 12.  Section 49.060, Water Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-2) to read as   follows:          (a)  A director is entitled to receive fees of office [of not   more than $150 a day] for each day the director actually spends   performing the duties of a director. The board by resolution shall   set the fees of office. The board may not set the fees of office at   an amount greater than the amount of the per diem set by the Texas   Ethics Commission for members of the legislature under Section 24a,   Article III, Texas Constitution. In this subsection, "performing   the duties of a director" means substantive performance of the   management or business of the district, including participation in   board and committee meetings and other activities involving the   substantive deliberation of district business and in pertinent   educational programs. The phrase does not include routine or   ministerial activities such as the execution of documents,   self-preparation for meetings, or other activities requiring a   minimal amount of time.          (a-2)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a-1), an authority   created by special law, by resolution of the board, may not set the   annual limit on the fees of office described by that subsection at   an amount greater than the amount a director would receive for 60   days of service a year at the maximum daily rate authorized by   Subsection (a).          SECTION 13.  Section 49.063, Water Code, is amended by   adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows:          (d)  A district that is required by law to post notice of a   meeting on an Internet website may instead provide the notice to the   county clerk of each county in which the district is located to post   the notice on the county clerk's or county's Internet website.          (e)  Failure to timely or properly post a notice of a meeting   on an Internet website does not prohibit a district from conducting   the meeting if the notice required by Section 551.054(a)(1),   Government Code, is posted timely and properly.          SECTION 14.  Section 49.065, Water Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:          (d)  Subsection (b) applies to a personal e-mail address of a   director only if the district does not make available to the public   an official e-mail address for the director or the district. In   this subsection, "personal e-mail address" means an e-mail address   that is not paid for by district money and is not used primarily for   the transaction of official business of the district.          SECTION 15.  Section 49.102, Water Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (j) and adding Subsections (k) and (l) to read   as follows:          (j)  The provisions of this section requiring a confirmation   election do not apply to a [shall not be applicable to any] district   exercising the powers of Chapter 375, Local Government Code, or any   district created by a special Act of the legislature that does not   require a confirmation election.          (k)  Notwithstanding any other law, if the board determines   that it is in the best interest of the district and the voters of the   district for the district to administer an election under this   section, the district shall establish precincts and designate   polling locations inside the boundaries of the district.          (l)  Section 43.075, Local Government Code, does not apply to   a district until the board declares the district is created under   Subsection (e) of this section.          SECTION 16.  Section 49.106, Water Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsection (f) to read as   follows:          (e)  A district's authorization to issue bonds resulting   from an election held under this section, or any other law that   allows for the qualified voters of a district to authorize the   issuance of bonds by a district, remains in effect after the   election unless the district is dissolved [or is annexed by another   district].          (f)  The board may submit new bond authorization and   refunding bond authorization in a single proposition at an   election.          SECTION 17.  Section 49.181, Water Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (f-1) to read as follows:          (f-1)  For the purposes of evaluating the financial   feasibility of a project financed by a bond, the commission shall   consider:                (1)  a district located wholly or partly in Austin,   Brazos, Chambers, Grimes, Liberty, Walker, or Wharton County as if   the district were located in Harris County; and                (2)  a district located wholly or partly in Bastrop,   Bell, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Gillespie, Kendall, Lee, or Milam   County as if the district were located in Travis County.          SECTION 18.  Section 49.23602(c), Water Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (c)  If the board of a district adopts a combined debt   service, contract, and operation and maintenance tax rate that   exceeds the district's mandatory tax election rate, an election   must be held in accordance with the procedures provided by Sections   26.07(c)-(g), Tax Code, to determine whether to approve the adopted   tax rate. If the adopted tax rate is not approved at the election,   the district's tax rate is the voter-approval tax rate. An election   is not required if the adopted tax rate is less than or equal to the   voter-approval tax rate.          SECTION 19.  Section 49.271, Water Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsection (f) to read as   follows:          (e)  A [district] contract for construction work may include   economic incentives for early completion of the work or economic   disincentives for late completion of the work.          (f)  The provisions of this section apply to a contract for   construction work entered into by a third party on behalf of a   district.          SECTION 20.  Subchapter J, Chapter 49, Water Code, is   amended by adding Section 49.316 to read as follows:          Sec. 49.316.  DIVISION OF DISTRICT.  (a)  The board, on its   own motion or on receipt of a petition signed by the owner or owners   of a majority of the assessed value of the real property in the   district, may adopt an order dividing the district.          (b)  An order dividing a district may create one or more new   districts and may provide for the continuation of the district.          (c)  An order dividing the district shall:                (1)  name any new district;                (2)  include the metes and bounds description of the   territory of each of the districts;                (3)  appoint temporary directors for any new district;   and                (4)  provide for the division of assets and liabilities   between the districts.          (d)  The board may adopt an order dividing the district   before or after the date the board holds an election to confirm the   district's creation.          (e)  The district may be divided only if the district:                (1)  has never issued any bonds; and                (2)  is not imposing ad valorem taxes.          (f)  A new district created by the division of the district   may not, at the time the new district is created, contain any land   outside the area of the district at the time of creation.          (g)  On or before the 30th day after the date of adoption of   an order dividing the district, the district shall file the order   with the commission and record the order in the real property   records of each county in which the district is located.          (h)  A new district created by the division of the district   shall hold a confirmation and directors' election.          (i)  If the creation of a new district is confirmed, the new   district shall provide the election date and results to the   commission.          (j)  A new district created by the division of the district   must hold an election as required by this chapter to obtain voter   approval before the district may impose a maintenance tax or issue   bonds payable wholly or partly from ad valorem taxes.          (k)  Municipal consent to the creation of the district and to   the inclusion of land in the district acts as municipal consent to   the creation of any new district created by the division of the   district and to the inclusion of land in the new district.          (l)  The district may continue to rely on confirmation,   directors', bond, and tax elections held before the division.          SECTION 21.  Section 49.452, Water Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to   read as follows:          (a)  In this section, "district" means a district:                (1)  governed by Chapter 375, Local Government Code; or                (2)  [(1)  Any person who proposes to sell or convey   real property located in a district] created under this title or by   a special Act of the legislature that:                      (A)  is providing or proposing to provide, as the   district's principal function, water, sanitary sewer, drainage,   and flood control or protection facilities or services, or any of   these facilities or services that have been financed or are   proposed to be financed with bonds of the district payable in whole   or part from taxes of the district, or by imposition of a standby   fee, if any, to household or commercial users, other than   agricultural, irrigation, or industrial users;[,] and                      (B)  [which district] includes less than all the   territory in at least one county and which, if located within the   corporate area of a city, includes less than 75 percent of the   incorporated area of the city or which is located outside the   corporate area of a city in whole or in substantial part[, must   first give to the purchaser the written notice provided in this   section].          (a-1)  A person who proposes to sell or convey real property   located in a district must give to the purchaser the written notice   as provided by this section and Section 49.4521.          (a-2) [(2)]  The provisions of this section are [shall] not   [be] applicable to:                (1) [(A)]  transfers of title under any type of lien   foreclosure;                (2) [(B)]  transfers of title by deed in cancellation   of indebtedness secured by a lien upon the property conveyed;                (3) [(C)]  transfers of title by reason of a will or   probate proceedings; [or]                (4) [(D)]  transfers of title to a governmental entity;   or                (5)  transfers of title for the purpose of qualifying a   director.          SECTION 22.  Subchapter M, Chapter 49, Water Code, is   amended by adding Section 49.4521 to read as follows:          Sec. 49.4521.  PRESCRIBED NOTICE TO PURCHASERS.  (a)  A   notice to a purchaser provided under Section 49.452 must include:                (1)  a title caption in at least a 24-point, bold font   stating "NOTICE TO PURCHASER OF SPECIAL TAXING OR ASSESSMENT   DISTRICT"; and                (2)  the following statements, as applicable to the   district:                      (A)  "The real property that you are about to   purchase is located in the (insert name of district) and may be   subject to district taxes or assessments.";                      (B)  "The district may, subject to voter approval,   impose taxes and issue bonds.  The district may impose an unlimited   rate of tax in payment of such bonds.";                      (C)  one of the following, as applicable:                            (i)  "The current rate of the district   property tax is (insert current property tax rate) on each $100 of   assessed valuation."; or                            (ii)  "The district has not yet imposed   taxes.  The projected rate of the district property tax is (insert   projected property tax rate) on each $100 of assessed valuation.";                      (D)  "The district may impose assessments and   issue bonds and impose an assessment in payment of such bonds.";                      (E)  one of the following, as applicable:                            (i)  "The rate of the district assessment is   (insert current assessment amount) on each $100 of assessed   valuation.";                            (ii)  "The amount of the district assessment   on the real property that you are about to purchase is (insert   current assessment amount)."; or                            (iii)  "The district has not yet imposed an   assessment, but the projected (insert "rate" or "amount", as   applicable) of the assessment is (insert projected assessment rate   or amount, as applicable).";                      (F)  "The total amounts of bonds payable wholly or   partly from (insert "property taxes" or "assessments", as   applicable) (insert ", excluding refunding bonds that are   separately approved by the voters" or ", excluding any bonds or any   portions of bonds issued that are payable solely from revenues   received or expected to be received under a contract with a   governmental entity", as applicable), approved by the voters are:                            (i)  $(insert amount) for water, sewer, and   drainage facilities;                            (ii)  $(insert amount) for road facilities;                            (iii)  $(insert amount) for parks and   recreational facilities; and                            (iv)  $(insert amount) for (description of   additional facilities, as applicable).";                      (G)  "The aggregate initial principal amounts of   all such bonds issued are:                            (i)  $(insert amount) for water, sewer, and   drainage facilities;                            (ii)  $(insert amount) for road facilities;                            (iii)  $(insert amount) for parks and   recreational facilities; and                            (iv)  $(insert amount) for (description of   additional facilities, as applicable).";                      (H)  "The district sought and obtained approval of   the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to adopt and impose a   standby fee.  The amount of the standby fee is $(insert amount of   standby fee).  An unpaid standby fee is a personal obligation of the   person that owned the property at the time of imposition and is   secured by a lien on the property.  Any person may request a   certificate from the district stating the amount, if any, of unpaid   standby fees on a tract of property in the district.";                      (I)  if applicable, one of the following:                            (i)  "The district is located wholly or   partly in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of (insert   name of the municipality).  Texas law governs the ability of a   municipality to annex property in the municipality's   extraterritorial jurisdiction and whether a district that is   annexed by the municipality is dissolved."; or                            (ii)  "The district is located wholly or   partly within the corporate boundaries of the City of (insert name   of the municipality).  The municipality and the district overlap,   but may not provide duplicate services or improvements.  Property   located in the municipality and the district is subject to taxation   by the municipality and the district.";                      (J)  "The district has entered into a strategic   partnership agreement with the City of (insert name of the   municipality).  This agreement may address the timeframe, process,   and procedures for the municipal annexation of the area of the   district located in the municipality's extraterritorial   jurisdiction.";                      (K)  "The purpose of the district is to provide   (insert water, sewer, drainage, flood control, firefighting, road,   parks and recreational, or other type of facilities or services, as   applicable) facilities and services.  The cost of district   facilities is not included in the purchase price of your   property.";                      (L)  "PURCHASER IS ADVISED THAT THE INFORMATION   SHOWN ON THIS FORM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY THE DISTRICT AT ANY TIME.     THE DISTRICT ANNUALLY ESTABLISHES TAX RATES.  PURCHASER IS ADVISED   TO CONTACT THE DISTRICT TO DETERMINE THE STATUS OF ANY CURRENT OR   PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE INFORMATION SHOWN ON THIS FORM."; and                      (M)  "The undersigned purchaser hereby   acknowledges receipt of the foregoing notice at or before the   execution of a binding contract for the purchase of the real   property or at closing of purchase of the real property.".          (b)  The district shall omit or edit for accuracy statements   not applicable to the district, as determined by the district.          (c)  The notice must be dated and executed by the seller and   the purchaser.          (d)  If the law is amended and causes inaccuracies in the   content of the notice, the district shall revise the content of the   notice to accurately reflect current law.          SECTION 23.  Section 49.453, Water Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:          (e)  A district required to maintain an Internet website or   have access to a generally accessible Internet website under   Section 26.18, Tax Code, shall post or create a process for posting   the district's notice to purchasers under Section 49.4521 on the   applicable Internet website.          SECTION 24.  Section 49.455(c), Water Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (c)  The information form [and map or plat] required by this   section shall be signed by a majority of the members of the board   and by each such officer affirmed and acknowledged before it is   filed with the county clerk, and each amendment made to an   information form [or map] shall also be signed by the members of the   board and by each such officer affirmed and acknowledged before it   is filed with the county clerk.          SECTION 25.  Subchapter O, Chapter 51, Water Code, is   amended by adding Section 51.7131 to read as follows:          Sec. 51.7131.  ALTERNATIVE SUBSTITUTION PROCEDURES.   Notwithstanding this subchapter, a district may substitute land in   the manner provided by Sections 54.739-54.747.          SECTION 26.  Section 53.029(e), Water Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (e)  A district that has adopted the rights, authority,   privileges, and functions of a road district in the manner provided   by Subsection (c) may, following approval of a construction   contract by the district's governing body, reimburse expenditures   as provided by Sections 257.003(a), [and] (b), and (d),   Transportation Code, without any additional approval or   determination under Section 257.003, Transportation Code.          SECTION 27.  Section 54.016, Water Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (f-1) to read as follows:          (f-1)  An agreement between a municipality and a municipal   utility district is an allocation agreement only if:                (1)  the agreement strictly complies with the   requirements of Subsection (f); and                (2)  the agreement is specifically designated by the   parties to the agreement as an "allocation agreement" under   Subsection (f).          SECTION 28.  Sections 54.234(d) and (e), Water Code, are   amended to read as follows:          (d)  If the commission issues an order approving the   petition, the district may undertake a road project if:                (1)  the municipality or county with platting   jurisdiction [that will operate and maintain the road] has approved   the plans and specifications of the road project; or                (2)  the Texas Transportation Commission has approved   the plans and specifications of the road project, if the state is to   operate and maintain the road.          (e)  Notwithstanding any other law and except [Except] as   provided by Subsection (d), a district is not required to obtain   approval from the Texas Transportation Commission to acquire,   construct, convey, or finance the road project.          SECTION 29.  Section 54.728, Water Code, is amended to read   as follows:          Sec. 54.728.  CONSOLIDATION OF DISTRICTS.  (a)  Two or more   districts governed by the provisions of this chapter may   consolidate into one district as provided by Sections 54.729-54.733   of this code.          (b)  One or more districts governed by the provisions of this   chapter and one or more districts governed by the provisions of   Chapter 375, Local Government Code, may consolidate into one   district as provided by this subsection and Sections 54.729-54.733   of this code.  The initial directors of the consolidated district   shall be elected and serve terms as provided by Section 49.103 of   this code.  The consolidation agreement under this subsection may   provide that the consolidated district continue operating with the   powers, authorities, duties, responsibilities, and board of   directors of one of the original districts before consolidation.          (c)  After the initial election of directors, a district   consolidated under Subsection (b) is governed as agreed by either:                (1)  an elected board of directors, who must be elected   at a general election in the manner and for the terms provided by   Section 49.103; or                (2)  an appointed board of directors, who must be   appointed as provided under Chapter 375, Local Government Code.          SECTION 30.  Section 57.053, Water Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to read as   follows:          (a)  A vacancy on an appointed board is filled by the   appointment of a director by a majority vote of the commissioners   court.  [A director appointed to fill a vacancy must be a person   qualified for election as a director under Section 57.059.]  The   commissioners court shall appoint directors so that the board will   always have full membership.          (d)  A director appointed to fill a vacancy must be a person   qualified to serve as a director under Section 57.059.          SECTION 31.  Section 57.059, Water Code, is amended to read   as follows:          Sec. 57.059.  QUALIFICATIONS FOR [ELECTED] DIRECTORS.  To be   qualified to serve [for election] as a director, a person must:                (1)  be at least 18 years old;                (2)  own land subject to taxation in the district or be   a qualified voter in the district; [property taxpaying elector of   the precinct and county from which he is elected] and                (3)  if the director is elected, be a qualified voter of   the precinct in the district established by the commissioners court   under Section 57.058 from which the director is elected [be   eligible under the constitution and laws of this state to hold the   office to which he is elected].          SECTION 32.  The following provisions are repealed:                (1)  Sections 375.023 and 375.024, Local Government   Code;                (2)  Sections 375.025(a) and (b), Local Government   Code;                (3)  Sections 49.452(b), (c), (d), and (e), Water Code;                (4)  Sections 49.455(f) and (h), Water Code;                (5)  Section 54.030(b), Water Code, as amended by   Chapter 539 (H.B. 2914), Acts of the 86th Legislature, Regular   Session, 2019;                (6)  Section 54.032(a), Water Code, as amended by   Chapter 539 (H.B. 2914), Acts of the 86th Legislature, Regular   Session, 2019;                (7)  Section 54.033(a), Water Code, as amended by   Chapter 539 (H.B. 2914), Acts of the 86th Legislature, Regular   Session, 2019; and                (8)  Section 54.103, Water Code.          SECTION 33.  (a)  Section 49.452, Water Code, as amended by   this Act, and Section 49.4521, Water Code, as added by this Act,   apply only to notice given to a purchaser of real property within a   water district on or after the effective date of this Act.  Notice   given to a purchaser before the effective date is governed by the   law in effect at the time the notice was given, and that law is   continued in effect for that purpose.          (b)  Section 49.455, Water Code, as amended by this Act,   applies only to an information form filed on or after the effective   date of this Act.  An information form filed before the effective   date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the   form was filed, and that law is continued in effect for that   purpose.          SECTION 34.  This Act takes effect immediately if it   receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each   house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.     If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate   effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 2815 was passed by the House on May   12, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 124, Nays 16, 2 present, not   voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.   No. 2815 on May 26, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 129, Nays 9,   1 present, not voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House               I certify that H.B. No. 2815 was passed by the Senate, with   amendments, on May 24, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays   0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor