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HB5695

Regular Session

Relating to the creation of the Sayers Ranch Municipal Utility District; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) • Texas Transportation Commission (if state maintains roads) • Bastrop County Commissioners Court • Applicable Municipalities (ETJ/Corporate Limits)

01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025.
  • Compliance Deadline: Immediate upon the District’s confirmation election (projected Q1/Q2 2026) for tax rate adoption; "Notice to Purchaser" disclosures must be updated immediately upon the setting of the first tax rate.
  • Agency Rulemaking: No new agency rulemaking is required; however, the District must navigate existing Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rules (30 TAC Chapter 293) regarding bond feasibility and district creation.

Immediate Action Plan

  • Verify Boundaries: Legal counsel must cross-reference the metes and bounds in Section 2 with current surveys to ensure no jurisdictional overlap.
  • Secure Municipal Consent: Obtain a resolution of consent from any municipality with ETJ jurisdiction before ordering the confirmation election.
  • Negotiate Land Purchases: Immediately commence voluntary negotiations for necessary easements, as the eminent domain "safety net" does not exist.
  • Prepare Election Orders: Draft orders for the confirmation election to be held on the first uniform election date following September 1, 2025.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Land Acquisition: Standard condemnation clauses in acquisition contracts are void for this District. All right-of-way and easement acquisitions must be structured as voluntary, negotiated purchases or dedications.
  • Reimbursement Agreements: Developers must execute Reimbursement Agreements with the District to secure repayment for infrastructure outlays. These contracts must be contingent upon future bond sales and TCEQ approval.
  • Interlocal Agreements: If the District requires external water/wastewater treatment, wholesale service agreements with regional providers or municipalities must be finalized prior to the confirmation election.

Hiring/Training

  • Board Governance: The five temporary directors named in the statute must be sworn in and post bonds immediately after the effective date.
  • Professional Services: The Board must retain Bond Counsel, a Financial Advisor, and a District Engineer to prepare the confirmation election order and initial bond application.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Real Estate Disclosures: Sellers of property within the District boundaries must update sales contracts to include the statutory "Notice to Purchaser" (Texas Water Code § 49.452) detailing tax rates and bond authority. Failure to provide this creates a voidable contract.
  • TCEQ Filings: The District must file confirmation election results and annual audit reports with the TCEQ.

Fees & Costs

  • Ad Valorem Taxes: The Board is authorized to levy operation and maintenance (O&M) taxes and unlimited tax bonds, subject to voter approval.
  • Impact Fees: The Board may impose impact fees and assessments to cover regulatory and administrative costs.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • Road Standards Jurisdiction: Section 8022A.0304 requires compliance with municipal standards if in an ETJ, or county standards if outside. If the District straddles jurisdictions, or if the County and Municipality have conflicting engineering standards, the stricter standard generally prevails. Developers must secure a "Letter of No Objection" from both entities to prevent dedication refusal.
  • Bond Feasibility: While the statute grants bonding authority, it does not guarantee TCEQ approval. The District must prove financial feasibility under TCEQ rules. The gap between statutory creation and agency authorization creates a "funding lag" that developers must capitalize upfront.

Need Help Understanding Implementation?

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Schedule 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
Apr 30, 2025
Passed House
May 16, 2025
Passed Senate
May 28, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
TopicsSpecial Districts & AuthoritiesSpecial Districts & Authorities--municipal Utility DistrictsSpecial Districts & Authorities--water & UtilitySayers Ranch Municipal Utility DistrictEnvironmental Quality, Texas Commission On
03

Official Analysis

View HRO AnalysisView All Bill Documents

BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 5695

By: Gerdes

Land & Resource Management

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee of the need for a municipal utility district to be created in Bastrop County for the benefit of certain undeveloped land. H.B. 5695 seeks to provide for the creation of the Sayers Ranch Municipal Utility 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. 5695 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the Sayers Ranch Municipal Utility District, subject to applicable municipal consent and voter approval at a confirmation election. The bill, among other provisions, grants the district the power to undertake certain road projects and provides for the district's division. The bill authorizes the district, subject to certain requirements, to issue obligations and impose property, operation and maintenance, and contract taxes. The bill expressly prohibits the district from exercising the power of eminent domain if the bill does not receive a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house and establishes that this provision is not intended to be an expression of a legislative interpretation of the requirements of Section 17(c), Article I, Texas Constitution.

H.B. 5695 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.

House Authors

Rep. Stan GerdesRepublican · Primary Author

Senate Sponsor

Sen. Charles SchwertnerRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

H.B. No. 5695
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the Sayers Ranch Municipal Utility
District; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing
authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose
assessments, fees, and taxes.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Subtitle F, Title 6, Special District Local Laws
Code, is amended by adding Chapter 8022A to read as follows:
CHAPTER 8022A. SAYERS RANCH MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 8022A.0101.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
(1)  "Board" means the district's board of directors.
(2)  "Commission" means the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality.
(3)  "Director" means a board member.
(4)  "District" means the Sayers Ranch Municipal
Utility District.
Sec. 8022A.0102.  NATURE OF DISTRICT.  The district is a
municipal utility district created under Section 59, Article XVI,
Texas Constitution.
Sec. 8022A.0103.  CONFIRMATION AND DIRECTOR ELECTION
REQUIRED.  The temporary directors shall hold an election to
confirm the creation of the district and to elect five permanent
directors as provided by Section 49.102, Water Code.
Sec. 8022A.0104.  CONSENT OF MUNICIPALITY REQUIRED. The
temporary directors may not hold an election under Section
8022A.0103 until each municipality in whose corporate limits or
extraterritorial jurisdiction the district is located has
consented by ordinance or resolution to the creation of the
district and to the inclusion of land in the district as required by
applicable law.
Sec. 8022A.0105.  FINDINGS OF PUBLIC PURPOSE AND BENEFIT.
(a)  The district is created to serve a public purpose and benefit.
(b)  The district is created to accomplish the purposes of:
(1)  a municipal utility district as provided by
general law and Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution; and
(2)  Section 52, Article III, Texas Constitution, that
relate to the construction, acquisition, improvement, operation,
or maintenance of macadamized, graveled, or paved roads, or
improvements, including storm drainage, in aid of those roads.
Sec. 8022A.0106.  INITIAL DISTRICT TERRITORY.  (a)  The
district is initially composed of the territory described by
Section 2 of the Act enacting this chapter.
(b)  The boundaries and field notes contained in Section 2 of
the Act enacting this chapter form a closure.  A mistake made in the
field notes or in copying the field notes in the legislative process
does not affect the district's:
(1)  organization, existence, or validity;
(2)  right to issue any type of bond for the purposes
for which the district is created or to pay the principal of and
interest on a bond;
(3)  right to impose a tax; or
(4)  legality or operation.
SUBCHAPTER B.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sec. 8022A.0201.  GOVERNING BODY; TERMS.  (a)  The district
is governed by a board of five elected directors.
(b)  Except as provided by Section 8022A.0202, directors
serve staggered four-year terms.
Sec. 8022A.0202.  TEMPORARY DIRECTORS.  (a)  The temporary
board consists of:
(1)  Blake Scrivener;
(2)  Lindsay Key;
(3)  John Cox;
(4)  Jeremy Brannon; and
(5)  Joe Daly.
(b)  Temporary directors serve until the earlier of:
(1)  the date permanent directors are elected under
Section 8022A.0103; or
(2)  the fourth anniversary of the effective date of
the Act enacting this chapter.
(c)  If permanent directors have not been elected under
Section 8022A.0103 and the terms of the temporary directors have
expired, successor temporary directors shall be appointed or
reappointed as provided by Subsection (d) to serve terms that
expire on the earlier of:
(1)  the date permanent directors are elected under
Section 8022A.0103; or
(2)  the fourth anniversary of the date of the
appointment or reappointment.
(d)  If Subsection (c) applies, the owner or owners of a
majority of the assessed value of the real property in the district
may submit a petition to the commission requesting that the
commission appoint as successor temporary directors the five
persons named in the petition.  The commission shall appoint as
successor temporary directors the five persons named in the
petition.
SUBCHAPTER C. POWERS AND DUTIES
Sec. 8022A.0301.  GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES.  The district
has the powers and duties necessary to accomplish the purposes for
which the district is created.
Sec. 8022A.0302.  MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT POWERS AND
DUTIES.  The district has the powers and duties provided by the
general law of this state, including Chapters 49 and 54, Water Code,
applicable to municipal utility districts created under Section 59,
Article XVI, Texas Constitution.
Sec. 8022A.0303.  AUTHORITY FOR ROAD PROJECTS. Under
Section 52, Article III, Texas Constitution, the district may
design, acquire, construct, finance, issue bonds for, improve,
operate, maintain, and convey to this state, a county, or a
municipality for operation and maintenance macadamized, graveled,
or paved roads, or improvements, including storm drainage, in aid
of those roads.
Sec. 8022A.0304.  ROAD STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS. (a) A
road project must meet all applicable construction standards,
zoning and subdivision requirements, and regulations of each
municipality in whose corporate limits or extraterritorial
jurisdiction the road project is located.
(b)  If a road project is not located in the corporate limits
or extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality, the road
project must meet all applicable construction standards,
subdivision requirements, and regulations of each county in which
the road project is located.
(c)  If the state will maintain and operate the road, the
Texas Transportation Commission must approve the plans and
specifications of the road project.
Sec. 8022A.0305.  COMPLIANCE WITH MUNICIPAL CONSENT
ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION.  The district shall comply with all
applicable requirements of any ordinance or resolution that is
adopted under Section 54.016 or 54.0165, Water Code, and that
consents to the creation of the district or to the inclusion of land
in the district.
Sec. 8022A.0306.  DIVISION OF DISTRICT. This chapter
applies to any new district created by the division of the district
under Section 49.316, Water Code, and a new district has all the
powers and duties of the district.
SUBCHAPTER D. GENERAL FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 8022A.0401.  ELECTIONS REGARDING TAXES OR BONDS. (a)
The district may issue, without an election, bonds and other
obligations secured by:
(1)  revenue other than ad valorem taxes; or
(2)  contract payments described by Section
8022A.0403.
(b)  The district must hold an election in the manner
provided by Chapters 49 and 54, Water Code, to obtain voter approval
before the district may impose an ad valorem tax or issue bonds
payable from ad valorem taxes.
(c)  The district may not issue bonds payable from ad valorem
taxes to finance a road project unless the issuance is approved by a
vote of a two-thirds majority of the district voters voting at an
election held for that purpose.
Sec. 8022A.0402.  OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE TAX.  (a)  If
authorized at an election held under Section 8022A.0401, the
district may impose an operation and maintenance tax on taxable
property in the district in accordance with Section 49.107, Water
Code.
(b)  The board shall determine the tax rate.  The rate may not
exceed the rate approved at the election.
Sec. 8022A.0403.  CONTRACT TAXES.  (a)  In accordance with
Section 49.108, Water Code, the district may impose a tax other than
an operation and maintenance tax and use the revenue derived from
the tax to make payments under a contract after the provisions of
the contract have been approved by a majority of the district voters
voting at an election held for that purpose.
(b)  A contract approved by the district voters may contain a
provision stating that the contract may be modified or amended by
the board without further voter approval.
SUBCHAPTER E. BONDS AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS
Sec. 8022A.0501.  AUTHORITY TO ISSUE BONDS AND OTHER
OBLIGATIONS.  The district may issue bonds or other obligations
payable wholly or partly from ad valorem taxes, impact fees,
revenue, contract payments, grants, or other district money, or any
combination of those sources, to pay for any authorized district
purpose.
Sec. 8022A.0502.  TAXES FOR BONDS. At the time the district
issues bonds payable wholly or partly from ad valorem taxes, the
board shall provide for the annual imposition of a continuing
direct ad valorem tax, without limit as to rate or amount, while all
or part of the bonds are outstanding as required and in the manner
provided by Sections 54.601 and 54.602, Water Code.
Sec. 8022A.0503.  BONDS FOR ROAD PROJECTS. At the time of
issuance, the total principal amount of bonds or other obligations
issued or incurred to finance road projects and payable from ad
valorem taxes may not exceed one-fourth of the assessed value of the
real property in the district.
       SECTION 2.  The Sayers Ranch Municipal Utility District
initially includes all the territory contained in the following
area:
       BEING 252.94 ACRES OF LAND, SURVEYED BY LANDESIGN SERVICES,
INC., SITUATED IN THE STEPHEN F. AUSTIN SURVEY, ABSTRACT NO. 3 AND
THE BASTROP TOWN TRACT SURVEY, ABSTRACT NO. 11, IN BASTROP COUNTY,
TEXAS, BEING COMPRISED OF A CALLED 127.574 ACRE TRACT OF LAND
DESCRIBED IN A DEED TO T.C. HOFFMAN AND GLADYS M. HOFFMAN, RECORDED
IN VOLUME 221, PAGE 522 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF BASTROP COUNTY, TEXAS
(D.R.B.C.T.), ALL OF A CALLED 0.226 OF ONE ACRE TRACT OF LAND
DESCRIBED IN A GENERAL WARRANTY DEED TO T.C. HOFFMAN AND WIFE,
GLADYS HOFFMAN RECORDED IN VOLUME 327, PAGE 295 OF SAID D.R.B.C.T.,
ALL OF A CALLED 1.00 ACRE TRACT OF LAND DESCRIBED IN A DEED TO TRAVIS
CLAUDE HOFFMAN, JR. AND LAURIE LYNN HOFFMAN, RECORDED IN VOLUME
296, PAGE 652 OF SAID D.R.B.C.T., ALL OF A CALLED 4.516 ACRE TRACT
OF LAND DESCRIBED IN A DEED OF GIFT TO TRAVIS CLAUDE HOFFMAN, JR.
AND SHIRLEY HOFFMAN QUINCY, RECORDED IN VOLUME 2330, PAGE 884 OF THE
OFFICIAL PUBLIC RECORDS OF BASTROP COUNTY, TEXAS (O.P.R.B.C.T.),
ALL OF A CALLED 5.000 ACRE TRACT OF LAND DESCRIBED AS TRACT ONE AND
ALL OF A CALLED 9.996 ACRE TRACT OF LAND DESCRIBED AS TRACT TWO IN A
WARRANTY DEED WITH VENDOR'S LIEN TO JAMES S. FRONCEK AND WIFE,
VIVIAN A. FRONCEK, RECORDED IN VOLUME 690, PAGE 50, OF SAID
O.R.B.C.T., ALL OF A CALLED 21.282 ACRE TRACT OF LAND DESCRIBED IN
AN ASSUMPTION DEED TO JAMES S. FRONCEK AND WIFE, VIVIAN A. FRONCEK,
RECORDED IN VOLUME 690, PAGE 70 OF SAID O.R.B.C.T., A REMAINDER OF A
CALLED 43.38 ACRE TRACT OF LAND DESCRIBED AS FIRST TRACT, AND THE
REMAINDER OF A CALLED 71.36 ACRE TRACT OF LAND, BOTH TRACTS
DESCRIBED IN A WARRANTY DEED TO WOODRUN DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.,
RECORDED IN VOLUME 947, PAGE 650, OF SAID O.R.B.C.T., BEING MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS AS FOLLOWS:
       BEGINNING at a 3/8-inch rebar found in the existing
Southwesterly right-of-way line of Sayers Road (CR 157, No record
information found) (R.O.W. Width Varies) and the existing
Southeasterly right-of-way line of Cirrus Lane (75' Wide R.O.W.
-LEGENDS COVE SECTION TWO, a subdivision of record in Cabinet 7,
Page 32-B, of the Plat Records of Bastrop County, Texas
(P.R.B.C.T.)), for the POINT OF BEGINNING and Northerly corner of
said 5.000 acre tract and hereof;
       THENCE with the existing Southwesterly right-of-way line of
said Sayers Road and partially with the common Northeasterly line
of said 5.000 acre tract, and then partially with the common
Northeasterly line of said 21.282 acre tract, the following two (2)
courses and distances:
       South 29°18'43" East a distance of 490.94 feet to a 1/2-inch
rebar with cap stamped "LSI SURVEY" set; and
       South 35°14'18" East a distance of 88.99 feet to a 3/8-inch
rebar found for the northerly common corner of said 21.282 acre
tract and of the GOMEZ RODRIGUEZ SAYERS SUBDIVISION, a subdivision
of record in Cabinet 7, Page 195-A, of said P.R.B.C.T.;
       THENCE South 43°03'11" West along the common line of said
21.282 acre tract and of said GOMEZ RODRIGUEZ SAYERS SUBDIVISION, a
distance of 804.16 feet to a 5/8-inch rebar found in the
Southeasterly line of said 21.282 acre tract, being the common
Westerly corner of said 4.462 acre tract and of said 127.574 acre
tract;
       THENCE South 47°50'01" East along the common line of said
127.574 acre tract and of said GOMEZ RODRIGUEZ SAYERS SUBDIVISION,
a distance of 244.81 feet to a 3/8-inch rebar found in the
Northeasterly line of said 127.574 acre tract, being the common
Southerly corner of said GOMEZ RODRIGUEZ SAYERS SUBDIVISION and of
said 4.516 acre tract;
       THENCE North 42°41'27" East along the common line of said
4.516 acre tract and of said GOMEZ RODRIGUEZ SAYERS SUBDIVISION and
then the Southwesterly right-of-way line of said Sayers Road, a
distance of 795.57 feet to a 1/2-inch rebar with cap marked "J.E.
GARRON RPLS 4303" found in the Southwesterly right-of-way line of
said Sayers Road, being the Northeasterly corner of said 4.516 acre
tract;
       THENCE, along the common line of the Southwesterly
right-of-way line of said Sayers Road and of the Northerly line of
said 4.516 acre tract, the following five (5) courses and
distances:
       South 37°09'48" East, a distance of 143.70 feet to a 1/2-inch
rebar with cap marked "J.E. GARRON RPLS 4303" found;
       South 34°24'07" East, a distance of 45.18 feet to a 1/2-inch
rebar with cap marked "J.E. GARRON RPLS 4303" found;
       South 28°31'23" East, a distance of 29.84 feet to a 1/2-inch
rebar with cap marked "J.E. GARRON RPLS 4303" found;
       South 24°30'18" East, a distance of 47.38 feet to a 1/2-inch
rebar with cap marked "J.E. GARRON RPLS 4303" found;
       South 18°58'24" East, a distance of 11.95 feet to a 1/2-inch
rebar with cap marked "J.E. GARRON RPLS 4303" found in the
Southwesterly right-of-way line of said Sayers Road, being the
Northerly common corner of said 4.516 acre tract and of a called
2.2425 acre tract of land described in a General Warranty Deed to
Leslie L. Anderson and Rebecca Anderson, recorded in Document
No. 201409226 (also known as Volume 2338, Page 47) of said
O.P.R.B.C.T.;
       THENCE South 44°37'13" West along the common line of said
4.516 acre tract and of said 2.2425 acre tract, a distance of 725.06
feet to a 3/8-inch rebar found in the Northeasterly line of said
127.574 acre tract, being the common Southerly comer of said 4.516
acre tract and of said 2.2425 acre tract;
       THENCE South 47°28'20" East with the Northeasterly line of
said 127.574 acre tract and partially with the common Southwesterly
lines of said 2.2425 acre tract, a called 2.240 acre tract of land
described in a General Warranty Deed to Leslie L. Anderson and wife,
Rebecca J. Anderson, recorded in Volume 754, Page 732, of said
O.R.B.C.T., and a called 4.485 acre tract of land described in a
Special Warranty Deed with Vendor's Lien to Liberty Hill Truck
Service LLC, recorded in Document No. 202212580 of said
O.P.R.B.C.T., a distance of 785.81 feet to a 1/2- inch rebar found
in the Northwesterly line of a called 22.644 acre tract of land
described in a Correction Special Warranty Deed to Mainstreet
Bastrop, LLC, recorded in Document No. 202224002 of said
O.P.R.B.C.T., for the common Easterly corner of said 4.485 acre
tract and of said 127.574 acre tract;
       THENCE with the Southeasterly line of said 127.574 acre tract
and partially with the common Northwesterly line of said 22.644
acre tract, and partially with the common Northwesterly line of a
called 100 acre tract described in a General Warranty Deed to Janet
Lynn Stanton recorded in Document No. 202414426, of said
O.P.R.B.C.T., the following nine (9) courses and distances:
       South 40°55'45" West a distance of 188.40 feet to a 1/2-inch
rebar with cap stamped "LSI SURVEY" set;
       South 41°29'44" West a distance of 340.48 feet to a 1/2-inch
rebar with cap stamped "LSI SURVEY" set;
       South 41°31'37" West a distance of 99.68 feet to a 1/2-inch
rebar with cap stamped "LSI SURVEY" set;
       South 44°37'38" West a distance of 91.64 feet to a 1/2-inch
rebar with cap stamped "LSI SURVEY" set; and
       South 49°29'13" West a distance of 61.37 feet to a 1/2-inch
rebar with cap stamped "LSI SURVEY" set in the Southeasterly line of
said 127.574 acre tract and the common Northwesterly line of said
22.644 acre tract;
       South 43°51'55" West a distance of 482.44 feet to a 1/2-inch
rebar with cap stamped "LSI SURVEY" set;
       South 43°09'33" West a distance of 796.87 feet to a 1/2-inch
rebar with cap stamped "LSI SURVEY" set;
       South 14°00'38" West a distance of 56.74 feet to a 1/2-inch
rebar with cap stamped "LSI SURVEY" set; and
       South 08°52'45" West a distance of 195.88 feet to a 1/2-inch
rebar with cap stamped "LSI SURVEY" set in the Southeasterly line of
said 127.574 acre tract and the common Northwesterly line of a
called 110.7880 acre tract of land described as Tract Three in a
General Warranty Deed with Life Estate Reservation to Glenn Odom
Showing first 50k characters.

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
May 6, 2025

TO:
Honorable Gary Gates, Chair, House Committee on Land & Resource Management
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB5695 by Gerdes (Relating to the creation of the Sayers Ranch Municipal Utility District; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

It is assumed that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.

Local Government Impact

The fiscal implications of the bill to the district cannot be determined due to the circumstances relating to the district's issuance of bonds or imposition of assessments, fees, and taxes being unknown. No fiscal implication to other units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
JMc, SZ, BC, CWi

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HB5695

Q

What does Texas HB5695 do?

HB5695 creates the Sayers Ranch Municipal Utility District (MUD) in Bastrop County, establishing a new political subdivision authorized to finance infrastructure through bonds and ad valorem taxes. Critically, the bill failed to receive the two-thirds vote required for immediate effect; consequently, the District is explicitly prohibited from exercising the power of eminent domain. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025.

Q

Who authored HB5695?

HB5695 was authored by Texas Representative Stan Gerdes during the Regular Session.

Q

When was HB5695 signed into law?

HB5695 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce HB5695?

HB5695 is enforced by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Texas Transportation Commission (if state maintains roads), Bastrop County Commissioners Court and Applicable Municipalities (ETJ/Corporate Limits).

Q

How urgent is compliance with HB5695?

The compliance urgency for HB5695 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

Q

What is the cost impact of HB5695?

The cost impact of HB5695 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does HB5695 address?

HB5695 addresses topics including special districts & authorities, special districts & authorities--municipal utility districts, special districts & authorities--water & utility, sayers ranch municipal utility district and environmental quality, texas commission on.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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