HB 5669 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the name and powers of the Sabine Pass Port Authority; altering the terms of the authority's port commission; altering the authority to issue bonds.

HB 5669 renames the "Sabine Pass Port Authority" to "Port of Sabine Pass [Port Authority]" in Texas law and adjusts its governance structure. The bill changes the governing commission to have five members serving staggered four-year terms (instead of two-year terms), with elections held in even and odd years. It also clarifies the authority's power to issue bonds for port projects. This bill directly affects the Sabine Pass Port Authority's operations, leadership structure, and financial flexibility, impacting Jefferson County's port management.
Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Apr 14, 2025 Signed Apr 16, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 5 edits · May 21, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates the Sabine Pass Port Authority's governing code to modernize its structure, clarify its powers, and establish a new election schedule for commissioners. The changes include adjusting commissioner terms from two years to staggered four-year terms, expanding the authority's ability to use port property for economic development, and adding new powers for issuing bonds and managing contracts.
Scope change
The bill expands the port's operational scope by adding new powers for property use, bond issuance, and contract management, while also clarifying existing definitions and qualifications for commissioners.
REQUIREMENT

Commissioner terms changed from two-year terms to staggered four-year terms, with a new election scheduled for May 2026.

FISCAL

New authority added to issue bonds for economic development projects and to secure bonds with liens on properties or pledged revenues.

SCOPE

Port property can now be used for job creation, economic development, industry, commerce, manufacturing, housing, recreation, and infrastructure installation.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated definitions and qualifications for commissioners, including residency and property ownership requirements within the port authority territory.

TIMELINE

New effective date of September 1, 2025, and specific election date of May 2026 for commissioner positions.

Floor votes · House May 21, 2025

How they voted

034
Passed
Total votes 34
May 21, 2025
D Democratic1
1 Nay
100% Nay
R Republican33
33 Nay
100% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
24
Key actions
6
Committee
5
May 22, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
May 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
May 8, 2025
Committee
Recommended to be sent to Local & Consent
lower
May 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Signed into law
Transmitted to the Governor
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Committee
Referred to Transportation
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Dade Phelan
Dade Phelan
RRepublican
TX
21