TX HB5659

Requires the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District Board of Directors to hold a public hearing before entering into any contract for interbasin water transfer or acquiring a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for such transfers

Mandates that any interested person be given the opportunity to appear and speak before the Board at the public hearing on proposed interbasin transfers

Requires notice of hearings to be provided according to Section 49.063 of the Water Code

Interbasin transfer contracts or authorizations may only proceed with approval by majority vote of the governing bodies of at least five of the cities entitled to appoint directors under the district's enabling legislation

Takes effect immediately with two-thirds vote of both legislative chambers, otherwise effective September 1, 2025