89th Legislature Regular Session

SB 971

Overall Vote Recommendation
Neutral
Principle Criteria
Free Enterprise
Property Rights
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
Individual Liberty
Digest
SB 971 seeks to repeal Section 15.001(14) of the Texas Water Code, which defines a “rural political subdivision” for the purposes of the Texas Water Assistance Program. This definition was added in Chapter 1064 (SB 469) from the 88th Legislature. However, according to the bill’s author, S.B. 469 contained a scrivener’s error that unintentionally expanded the definition to include urban political subdivisions, thereby complicating eligibility for rural water infrastructure funding.

The correct definition of “rural water” was already established in HB 3582, which was developed in collaboration with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and others. However, since SB 469 was passed later, the incorrect definition now controls under the Code Construction Act. SB 971 is intended to correct this error by removing the flawed definition while allowing the definition from H.B. 3582 to remain the controlling language.

This change does not introduce new rulemaking authority and is primarily a legislative cleanup measure to restore clarity to the Texas Water Code.
Author
Kevin Sparks
Co-Author
Cesar Blanco
Adam Hinojosa
Fiscal Notes

The fiscal implications of SB 971 are minimal, according to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB). The bill is not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the state government. Any costs associated with implementing the repeal of Section 15.001(14) of the Texas Water Code can be absorbed within existing resources of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).

Similarly, there is no significant fiscal impact anticipated for local governments, meaning that cities, counties, or rural water districts should not experience notable financial burdens due to the bill’s passage. The bill is primarily a technical correction and does not create new funding obligations or revenue changes for state or local entities.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Policy Research is NEUTRAL on SB 971 given its limited policy impact and lack of significant fiscal implications. The bill is primarily a technical correction to address a scrivener’s error in SB 469 (88th Legislature) that unintentionally expanded the definition of "rural political subdivision" to include urban areas. By repealing Section 15.001(14) of the Texas Water Code, SB 971 allows the original definition from HB 3582 to remain the governing language.

While this change is intended to restore legislative clarity, it is unclear whether it will impact rural communities' eligibility for Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) funding. However, since the bill does not introduce new regulations or remove existing funding allocations, its practical effect is likely minimal. Given the absence of significant consequences—either positive or negative—we remain NEUTRAL, with the caveat that lawmakers should monitor its potential impact on rural water access and take further legislative action if necessary.

Related Legislation
View Bill Text and Status