H.B. No. 190 aims to enhance the authority of counties in Texas regarding flood management by allowing them to establish drainage utilities, impose drainage fees, and regulate land use. The bill introduces a new section, 240.906, to the Local Government Code, which empowers the commissioners court of a county to adopt land use regulations specifically for flood management. These regulations may include impervious cover regulations, setback and lot size standards, landscaping standards, and other relevant land use issues. Additionally, the bill stipulates that any regulations adopted must be rationally related to flood management and that municipal ordinances will prevail in case of conflicts.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing sections of the Local Government Code, including the heading of Section 395.079, which now no longer specifies populous counties, and expands the authority to impose impact fees for storm water, drainage, and flood control to all counties and relevant districts. It also introduces Section 561.0075, which allows counties to acquire and operate drainage utility systems for unincorporated areas, with specific provisions regarding service areas and the ability to adopt operational regulations. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 395.079 (Local Government Code 395)