The bill proposes a significant change to the governance of the Texas Water Development Board by requiring its members to be elected by qualified voters during general elections, rather than being appointed by the governor. The amendments to Section 6.052 of the Water Code reflect this shift, changing the heading to indicate "ELECTION" instead of "APPOINTMENT." The board will consist of 16 members who must be elected from their respective regional water planning areas, with specific qualifications in fields such as engineering, finance, or law. The bill also outlines eligibility criteria for candidates and establishes grounds for removal from the board.

Additionally, the bill sets forth the election timeline, mandating that the Texas Water Development Board hold elections for the new directors in November 2026. It stipulates that the terms of the newly elected members will be staggered, with some serving two, four, or six years, and all subsequent members serving six-year terms. The bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, contingent upon the approval of a related constitutional amendment by voters. If the amendment is not approved, the bill will have no effect.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Water Code 6.052, Water Code 6.053, Water Code 6.054, Water Code 6.056, Water Code 6.059, Water Code 6.062 (Water Code 6)