H.B. No. 1525 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to enhance the governance of the Lower Neches Valley Authority, following recommendations from the Sunset Advisory Commission. The bill establishes that the authority will undergo reviews under the Texas Sunset Act but cannot be abolished, with the next review scheduled for September 1, 2037, and every 12 years thereafter. It introduces new provisions regarding the board of directors, including the designation of a board president by the governor, the separation of policy-making and management functions, and specific grounds for the removal of board members, such as failure to maintain qualifications, violation of local government laws, and excessive absences from meetings.

Additionally, the bill mandates that newly appointed board members complete a training program before participating in meetings, with a grace period until December 1, 2025, for current members. The training will cover various aspects of authority operations, legal requirements, and ethics policies. The authority is also required to maintain a system for handling complaints and to provide the public with opportunities to testify on issues under its jurisdiction. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Special District Local Laws Code 8504.0021 (Special District Local Laws Code 8504)