SB 1965

relating to the addition of territory to certain special districts.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 375.043(a), Local Government Code, is
(a)  A district may annex land as provided by Section 49.301
and Chapter 54, Water Code, subject to the approval of the governing
body of the municipality.  In all areas of conflict, Section 54.750,
Water Code, takes precedence over all prior statutory enactments
regarding a district to which this chapter applies.
SECTION 2.  Section 51.7131, Water Code, is amended to read
Sec. 51.7131.  ALTERNATIVE SUBSTITUTION PROCEDURES.
Notwithstanding this subchapter, a district may substitute land in
the manner provided by Sections 54.739-54.747 and 54.750.
SECTION 3.  Subchapter O, Chapter 51, Water Code, is amended
by adding Sections 51.715 and 51.7151 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.715.  LIMITATION ON ADDITION OF NONCONTIGUOUS LAND.
(a)  A district may not add noncontiguous land to the district under
this subchapter or Section 49.301 or 49.302 if the noncontiguous
land is located more than 200 feet from the boundaries of the
district at the time of the proposed addition.
(b)  In all areas of conflict, Subsection (a) takes
precedence over all prior statutory enactments.
Sec. 51.7151.  ADDING LAND BY PETITION OF LESS THAN ALL
LANDOWNERS.  A district that holds a hearing under Section 49.302 to
annex land to the district shall, in addition to the notice
requirements of that section, provide notice of the hearing by
certified mail at least 14 days before the date of the hearing to:
(1)  each landowner in the area proposed to be annexed
as shown by the most recent certified tax roll of the central
appraisal district of the county or counties in which the area is
(2)  a municipality if the municipality's corporate
boundaries include or are adjacent to the area proposed to be
SECTION 4.  Subchapter H, Chapter 54, Water Code, is amended
by adding Sections 54.750 and 54.751 to read as follows:
Sec. 54.750.  LIMITATION ON ADDITION OF NONCONTIGUOUS LAND.
(a)  A district may not add noncontiguous land to the district under
this subchapter or Section 49.301 or 49.302 if the noncontiguous
land is located more than 200 feet from the boundaries of the
district at the time of the proposed addition.
(b)  In all areas of conflict, Subsection (a) takes
precedence over all prior statutory enactments.
Sec. 54.751.  ADDING LAND BY PETITION OF LESS THAN ALL
LANDOWNERS.  A district that holds a hearing under Section 49.302 to
annex land to the district shall, in addition to the notice
requirements of that section, provide notice of the hearing by
certified mail at least 14 days before the date of the hearing to:
(1)  each landowner in the area proposed to be annexed
as shown by the most recent certified tax roll of the central
appraisal district of the county or counties in which the area is
(2)  a municipality if the municipality's corporate
boundaries include or are adjacent to the area proposed to be
SECTION 5.  Subchapter O, Chapter 55, Water Code, is amended
by adding Sections 55.701 and 55.702 to read as follows:
Sec. 55.701.  LIMITATION ON ADDITION OF NONCONTIGUOUS LAND.
(a)  A district may not add noncontiguous land to the district under
Section 49.301 or 49.302 if the noncontiguous land is located more
than 200 feet from the boundaries of the district at the time of the
(b)  In all areas of conflict, Subsection (a) takes
precedence over all prior statutory enactments.
Sec. 55.702.  ADDING LAND BY PETITION OF LESS THAN ALL
LANDOWNERS.  A district that holds a hearing under Section 49.302 to
annex land to the district shall, in addition to the notice
requirements of that section, provide notice of the hearing by
certified mail at least 14 days before the date of the hearing to:
(1)  each landowner in the area proposed to be annexed
as shown by the most recent certified tax roll of the central
appraisal district of the county or counties in which the area is
(2)  a municipality if the municipality's corporate
boundaries include or are adjacent to the area proposed to be
SECTION 6.  Subchapter H, Chapter 65, Water Code, is amended
by adding Sections 65.701 and 65.702 to read as follows:
Sec. 65.701.  LIMITATION ON ADDITION OF NONCONTIGUOUS LAND.
(a)  A district may not add noncontiguous land to the district under
Section 49.301 or 49.302 if the noncontiguous land is located more
than 200 feet from the boundaries of the district at the time of the
(b)  In all areas of conflict, Subsection (a) takes
precedence over all prior statutory enactments.
Sec. 65.702.  ADDING LAND BY PETITION OF LESS THAN ALL
LANDOWNERS.  A district that holds a hearing under Section 49.302 to
annex land to the district shall, in addition to the notice
requirements of that section, provide notice of the hearing by
certified mail at least 14 days before the date of the hearing to:
(1)  each landowner in the area proposed to be annexed
as shown by the most recent certified tax roll of the central
appraisal district of the county or counties in which the area is
(2)  any municipality that has territory in the area
SECTION 7.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
an addition of land a petition for which is submitted on or after
the effective date of this Act.  An addition of land a petition for
which is submitted before the effective date of this Act is governed
by the law in effect on the date the petition was submitted and the
former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 8.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.