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H.B. No. 5659 AN ACT relating to the procedural requirements applicable to interbasin transfers of water involving the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 78, Acts of the 53rd Legislature, Regular Session, 1953, is amended by adding Sections 17A and 17B to read as follows: Sec. 17A. (a) Before the District may enter into a contract for an interbasin transfer of water or acquire a permit or other authorization from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for a proposed interbasin transfer, the Board of Directors shall hold a public hearing on the proposed interbasin transfer. (b) The Board of Directors shall provide any interested person an opportunity to appear before the Board at the hearing and speak on the proposed interbasin transfer. (c) The Board of Directors shall provide notice of the hearing in the manner provided by Section 49.063, Water Code, for a meeting of the Board. Sec. 17B. The District may enter into a contract or acquire a permit or other authorization described by Section 17A of this Act only if the contract or authorization is approved by a majority vote of the governing bodies of at least five of the cities entitled to appoint one or more directors under Section 3 or 6 of this Act. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 5659 was passed by the House on May 15, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 108, Nays 32, 2 present, not voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. No. 5659 on May 28, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 105, Nays 29, 1 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 5659 was passed by the Senate, with amendments, on May 26, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________ Date __________________ Governor
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