Relating to the creation of the Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District; providing the authority to issue bonds.
HB 1532 creates the Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District to manage dredging and maintenance in specific waterways, directly affecting residents and property owners within its service area (Lake Houston, San Jacinto River forks, Luce Bayou downstream from Trent Road, and Caney Creek between Harris County and Lake Houston). The bill establishes a governing board of five directors appointed by Houston City Council, Houston Public Works, Harris County Flood Control District, and the Houston Mayor, with staggered four-year terms. Key provisions authorize the district to issue bonds to fund dredging and maintenance operations, which are essential for flood control, water quality, and navigation. This law, effective immediately after being filed without the governor's signature, codifies a new entity to handle these critical waterway maintenance tasks under Texas Constitution Section 59.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Mar 12, 2025
Signed Jun 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Engrossed
→
Enrolled
·
6 edits
·
May 31, 2025
MODERATE
This bill creates the Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District to manage sediment and debris in Lake Houston and connected waterways. The Enrolled version adds new sections on financial provisions, including authority to issue revenue bonds, a prohibition on taxation, and state funding limits of $25 million per year through fiscal year 2026. It also clarifies the appointment process for the initial board of directors and includes certification of legislative passage and environmental review compliance.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on creating a new special district for dredging and maintenance operations in Lake Houston and surrounding waterways, but the Enrolled version adds detailed financial provisions and operational limitations that were not present in the Engrossed version.
FISCAL
Added authority for the district to issue revenue bonds to finance its operations and improvements.
Added a prohibition on the district imposing taxes or charging fees to fund its activities.
Added state funding provisions allowing up to $25 million per fiscal year from the state treasury, but only through fiscal year 2026.
TIMELINE
Added specific deadlines for appointing initial board members (by September 1, 2026) and for determining staggered terms through a lottery at the first meeting.
TECHNICAL
Added certification sections confirming environmental review compliance and legislative passage details.
Added effective date provisions allowing for immediate effect if passed by two-thirds vote, otherwise September 1, 2025.
Floor votes · House Apr 29, 2025
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
55
Key actions
16
Committee
12
May 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate passage reported
lower
May 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
May 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
May 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
May 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
May 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to Local Government
upper
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
Apr 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Transferred to Calendars Committee
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Committee
Recommended to be sent to Local & Consent
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Committee
Referred to Natural Resources
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Jan 16, 2025
Signed into law
Transmitted to the Governor
lower
5 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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