HB1535

HB1535 updates how the Trinity River Authority is governed. It shortens directors’ terms from six years to four, gives the governor the choice of board president, and adds training, removal grounds, complaint handling and public-participation requirements. It became effective September 1, 2025, after the governor signed it May 29. Final law, Sections 1–8; official history.

Review, not an expiration date. The authority’s next Sunset review moves from 2025 to 2037, with reviews every 12 years afterward. The law retains the protection against abolition under the Sunset Act. September 1, 2037 is not a shutdown date. Section 1.

The operating board was already 25 members. HB1535 updates the authority’s own outdated 24-member language to match that existing arrangement: three directors from Tarrant County, four from Dallas County, one from each of the other 15 listed counties, and three from the area at large. It does not create a new 25th seat in practice. Appointments remain with the governor, with Senate consent; while the Legislature is in session, appointments do not become effective until Senate approval. Section 2; Sunset final report, printed pages 39–41.

Four-year terms and a transition lottery. Twelve or 13 terms expire March 15 of odd-numbered years. At the first board meeting after the law took effect, the nine directors whose terms otherwise ended March 15, 2031 were required to draw lots: five terms move to March 15, 2029 and four to March 15, 2027. Directors otherwise continue until successors are appointed and qualify. This describes the legal requirement, not independent confirmation that the drawing occurred. Sections 2 and 5.

Leadership and removal. The governor designates a director as president, serving in that role at the governor’s pleasure, instead of the board electing its president. The board still chooses its vice-president and must appoint a general manager. New removal grounds cover failure to have or maintain the existing Section 3(c) qualifications, violation of local-official conflict-of-interest law, inability to perform duties for a substantial part of the term because of illness or disability, or missing more than half of eligible regular meetings in a calendar year without a majority-approved excuse. These are grounds for removal, not automatic dismissal; their existence alone does not invalidate board actions. The general manager must report a known potential ground through the president to the governor and attorney general, with the next-highest-ranking director substituted if the president is involved. Sections 3–4; conflict-of-interest law.

Qualifications are incorporated, not newly created. The referenced Section 3(c) requires residence and taxable-property ownership in the appointing area, excludes county or city officers and employees, and specifies the oath, an authority-paid $5,000 official bond, and replacement after a director moves out of the area. HB1535 adds consequences for lacking or losing required qualifications; it does not rewrite that subsection. Creating act, enrolled printed page 47 (PDF page 352); new Section 4A.

Training before participation. Directors cannot vote, deliberate or count as attending until completing training on the authority’s law, operations, budget, rulemaking limits, audit, public-access and conflict rules, and ethics. The transition allowed participation before December 1, 2025; the restriction applies to meetings on or after that date until training is completed, including for existing directors. The general manager must distribute a training manual annually and obtain each director’s signed acknowledgment of receipt and review. Training travel is reimbursable whether attended before or after qualifying for office. Sections 4 and 6.

Complaints and public access. The authority must keep a complaint-handling system and records, explain its investigation and resolution procedures, and periodically update the parties until final disposition unless an update would jeopardize an investigation. Board policies must provide a reasonable opportunity to speak on matters within the authority’s jurisdiction and separate board policymaking from staff management. Section 7 records compliance with legislative notice procedures; it is not an environmental permit. Sections 4 and 7.