S.B. No. 612 amends Section 49.2127 of the Water Code to clarify the authority of certain conservation and reclamation districts regarding the imposition of fees on developers for the construction of water or sewer pipelines and associated infrastructure. The bill introduces a definition for "Developer," specifying that it refers to individuals who own land in a district and either divide the land into multiple parts or request more than two service connections on a single tract. Additionally, the term "retail public utility" is updated to align with the definition provided in Section 13.002 of the Water Code.

The bill stipulates that districts cannot charge developers fees that exceed the actual, reasonable, and documented costs incurred by the district for various services related to the construction of infrastructure, including review, legal services, engineering, inspection, and any other associated costs. This measure aims to ensure that fees imposed on developers are fair and reflective of the actual expenses incurred by the district. The act will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Water Code 49.2127 (Water Code 49)
Senate Committee Report: Water Code 49.2127 (Water Code 49)
Engrossed: Water Code 49.2127 (Water Code 49)
House Committee Report: Water Code 49.2127 (Water Code 49)
Enrolled: Water Code 49.2127 (Water Code 49)