JD Key Consulting Logo
Signed Into Law
Signed May 28, 2025Effective 2027-04-01
HB1615

Regular Session

Relating to the nonsubstantive revision of certain local laws concerning water and wastewater special districts, including a conforming amendment.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

HB1615: Government Affairs Overview

HB1615 consolidates scattered historical statutes into the Texas Special District Local Laws Code for five specific water and navigation districts, effective in 2027. While legally "nonsubstantive," this requires a complete overhaul of legal citations in Master Service Agreements (MSAs), bond covenants, and land use contracts involving the Willacy County Navigation District, GBRA, UGRA, Franklin County Water District, and Escondido Watershed District.

Rep. Jeff Leach·House Bill·Regular Session

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2027-04-01
Enforcing Agencies

Escondido Watershed District • Franklin County Water District • Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) • Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) • Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts • Upper Guadalupe River Authority (UGRA) • Willacy County Navigation District

Business Impact

Who HB1615 Affects

This legislation has regulatory implications for the following Texas businesses and organizations:

Regulatory Priority: low

Standard regulatory changes (effective 2027-04-01). Review during normal business planning.

💧

Water

Affected business types:

  • Water utilities
  • Wastewater treatment facilities
  • Municipal water districts
  • Agricultural water users
View all water legislation

Key Operational Considerations

  • 1Citation Overhaul: You must amend "Applicable Law" and "Authority" sections in long-term contracts. Replace references to "Acts of the [Year] Legislature" with the following new chapters:
  • 2Bond Covenants: Financial officers and bond counsel must ensure all debt issued or refunded after April 1, 2027, cites the new statutory authority to ensure validity.
  • 3No General Staffing Changes: This bill does not impose new training requirements on general employees or contractors.

Estimated Cost Impact

lowMinimal cost impact anticipated.

Enforcing Agencies

Need Government Relations Support?

JD Key Consulting provides government affairs and regulatory strategy services. We help businesses navigate Texas agencies, understand legislative impacts, and advocate for their interests.

Need Help Navigating This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting provides strategic guidance on Texas regulatory compliance and legislative impact for your business.

HB1615
Relating to the nonsubstantive revision of certain local laws concerning water and wastewater special districts, including a conforming amendment.
Low Urgency
Unanimous Passage
House Vote148 - 0
YEA
100% in favor148 voting
Senate Vote31 - 0
YEA
100% in favor31 voting
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2027-04-01
Enforcing Agencies
Escondido Watershed DistrictFranklin County Water DistrictGBRATCEQ+3 more
Primary Author: Rep. Jeff Leach
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: April 1, 2027
  • Compliance Deadline: April 1, 2027. (All legal instruments executed after this date must reference the new Code chapters).
  • Agency Rulemaking: No state-level rulemaking is required to implement the codification. However, individual districts (GBRA, UGRA) must continue annual internal rulemaking regarding asset management and audits.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Audit Jurisdiction: Confirm if you have active operations or contracts with Willacy Navigation, GBRA, UGRA, Franklin Water, or Escondido Watershed districts.
  • 2. Update Templates: Instruct outside counsel to prepare "2027 Compliant" contract templates referencing the new Special District Local Laws Code chapters.
  • 3. Review Land Rights: If holding leases with Willacy County Navigation District, review Sec. 5008.0301 to ensure current lease terms align with codified duration limits.
  • 4. Monitor GBRA Plans: Set a recurring calendar reminder to review the GBRA Annual Asset Management Plan for project forecasting.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Citation Overhaul: You must amend "Applicable Law" and "Authority" sections in long-term contracts. Replace references to "Acts of the [Year] Legislature" with the following new chapters:
  • Willacy County Navigation District: Chapter 5008
  • Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA): Chapter 8512
  • Upper Guadalupe River Authority (UGRA): Chapter 8515
  • Franklin County Water District: Chapter 9092
  • Escondido Watershed District: Chapter 9305
  • Bond Covenants: Financial officers and bond counsel must ensure all debt issued or refunded after April 1, 2027, cites the new statutory authority to ensure validity.

Hiring/Training

  • Director Onboarding: If your organization appoints members to the GBRA or UGRA boards, ensure they sign the required statement acknowledging receipt of the training manual (Sec. 8512.0210 / Sec. 8515.0211) *before* participating in any vote.
  • No General Staffing Changes: This bill does not impose new training requirements on general employees or contractors.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Business Development Monitoring (GBRA): Vendors should monitor the Annual Asset Management Plan (Sec. 8512.0404). This public document outlines the district's repair and replacement priorities, serving as a roadmap for upcoming procurement opportunities.
  • Complaint Tracking: If you file a formal complaint regarding rates or services with GBRA or UGRA, the districts are now statutorily mandated to maintain a complaint file and provide you with quarterly status updates until resolution.

Fees & Costs

  • No New Taxes/Fees: The bill is fiscal neutral.
  • Administrative Costs: Budget for legal counsel time to review and update contract templates prior to Q1 2027.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • "Nonsubstantive" Interpretation Risks: The Legislature intends for this to be a clean-up, not a policy change. However, "cleaning up" 1930s-era language can inadvertently alter the perceived scope of a district's power.
  • *Watch For:* If you are currently disputing a district's authority (e.g., water rights or eminent domain), compare the old text to the new Code immediately. If the new phrasing weakens your legal position, you must lobby for a technical correction before the 2027 effective date.
  • Eminent Domain Status: The bill codifies the expiration of eminent domain powers for certain districts unless specific filings were made by 2012. Verify the district's compliance with that historical deadline before conceding to any condemnation threats.

Need Compliance Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting specializes in Texas regulatory compliance strategy. Work directly with James Dickey—former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas—to understand this bill's impact on your operations and develop an actionable compliance plan.

Schedule a Consultation

Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Mar 13, 2025
Passed House
May 7, 2025
Passed Senate
May 14, 2025
Signed
May 28, 2025
Effective
Apr 1, 2027
TopicsSpecial Districts & AuthoritiesSpecial Districts & Authorities--navigation & PortsSpecial Districts & Authorities--river AuthoritiesSpecial Districts & Authorities--water & UtilitySpecial Districts & Authorities--water Control Improve Dist.Statutory RevisionEscondido Watershed DistrictFranklin County Water DistrictGuadalupe-blanco River AuthorityUpper Guadalupe River AuthorityWillacy County Navigation District
03

House Authors

Rep. Jeff LeachRepublican · Primary Author
Coauthors (1)

Senate Sponsor

Sen. Lois KolkhorstRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

Showing first 50k characters.

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

Related Legislation

Explore more bills from this author and on related topics

More from Rep. Jeff Leach

View all bills by Rep. Jeff Leach

Related by Topic

View more Special Districts & Authorities legislation
Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HB1615

Q

What does Texas HB1615 do?

HB1615 consolidates scattered historical statutes into the Texas Special District Local Laws Code for five specific water and navigation districts, effective in 2027. While legally "nonsubstantive," this requires a complete overhaul of legal citations in Master Service Agreements (MSAs), bond covenants, and land use contracts involving the Willacy County Navigation District, GBRA, UGRA, Franklin County Water District, and Escondido Watershed District.

Q

Who authored HB1615?

HB1615 was authored by Texas Representative Jeff Leach during the Regular Session.

Q

When was HB1615 signed into law?

HB1615 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 28, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce HB1615?

HB1615 is enforced by Escondido Watershed District, Franklin County Water District, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Upper Guadalupe River Authority (UGRA) and Willacy County Navigation District.

Q

How significant are the changes in HB1615?

The regulatory priority for HB1615 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of HB1615?

The cost impact of HB1615 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does HB1615 address?

HB1615 addresses topics including special districts & authorities, special districts & authorities--navigation & ports, special districts & authorities--river authorities, special districts & authorities--water & utility and special districts & authorities--water control improve dist..

Q

What are the key dates for HB1615?

Key dates for HB1615: Effective date is 2027-04-01. Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.

Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026