HB5695

HB5695 creates Sayers Ranch Municipal Utility District on a described 252.94 acres in Bastrop County, around Sayers Road, Smith Road and Cirrus Lane. The detailed legal boundary, rather than the district name, determines which land is included. This review does not independently resolve ownership or survey boundaries.

The district must comply with applicable municipal-consent requirements. It receives municipal-utility-district powers and authority to finance, build and maintain roads and related drainage. Voters must confirm creation and elect five permanent directors. Municipal consent required by applicable law must precede that election. The named temporary directors are Blake Scrivener, Lindsay Key, John Cox, Jeremy Brannon and Joe Daly. They serve until permanent directors are elected or four years after the act takes effect, whichever comes first. If those terms expire before an election, owners representing a majority of assessed real-property value may petition the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to appoint five named successors under the act’s renewal procedure. Permanent directors serve staggered four-year terms. Districts created by division under the cited general law inherit these powers and duties.

Property taxes and property-tax-backed bonds require voter approval. Tax-backed road bonds require approval from two-thirds of participating voters, and their principal at issuance cannot exceed one-fourth of assessed real-property value. Specified revenue- or contract-payment-backed obligations do not need a separate bond election; contract taxes require voter approval of the underlying contract. Operating-tax rates cannot exceed the approved rate. Taxes supporting outstanding tax-backed bonds have no rate or amount limit specified in this act. Road projects must meet applicable local standards, with state approval when the state will maintain the road.

The act became law without the governor’s signature on June 20, 2025, effective September 1, 2025. Although the caption refers to eminent domain, the district may not exercise it: the House’s 86–45 vote fell below the two-thirds threshold, activating the act’s prohibition. The Senate vote was 27–4. Sources: enrolled law and certified votes and official history.