HB 5370 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

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

10140
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 144
May 15, 2025
D Democratic60
56 Yea 2 Nay 2
93% Yea
R Republican84
45 Yea 38 Nay 1
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