Relating to the requirements for interlocal contracts.
HB 5370 requires local governments entering interlocal contracts (agreements between municipalities or counties) to include three specific elements: a clear statement of purpose and responsibilities, authorization by governing bodies (with a limited exception for small utility contracts under $100,000), and confirmation that payments will come from current revenues, not future funds. It directly affects cities, counties, and utility providers entering such agreements. The law applies only to new contracts signed on or after September 1, 2025, leaving existing contracts governed by prior rules. This aims to increase transparency and fiscal accountability in shared service agreements between local entities.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 7, 2025
Last action May 15, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Engrossed
·
3 edits
·
May 15, 2025
MINOR
This bill modifies requirements for interlocal contracts in Texas, specifically changing the ownership threshold for water utilities from 75% to 60% of a county's population. The substantive change affects which municipalities can enter into simplified interlocal contracts without full governing body approval for contracts under $100,000.
Scope change
The bill narrows the eligibility criteria for municipalities that can use streamlined interlocal contract procedures, now requiring a municipality to own more than 60% of a county's population instead of 75% to qualify for the simplified approval process.
ELIGIBILITY
Changed the population ownership threshold from 75% to 60% for municipalities to qualify for simplified interlocal contract procedures
REQUIREMENT
Updated Section 791.011(d) of the Government Code to reflect the new 60% ownership threshold requirement
TECHNICAL
Added formatting changes and spacing adjustments throughout the bill text
Floor votes · House May 15, 2025
How they voted
101–40
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 144
May 15, 2025
D
Democratic60
93% Yea
R
Republican84
53% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
24
Key actions
8
Committee
6
Amendments
2
May 15, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
lower
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Committee
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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