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HB 1407

Relating to the provision of water or sewer service by public entities operating jointly or concurrently; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Ryan Guillen and 1 co-sponsor

Grants Texas public water/sewer authorities power to issue bonds and assess properties to fund joint infrastructure projects without individual municipal voter approval.

Laid on the table subject to call
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Bill Summary · HB 1407

Legislative bill overview

HB 1407 authorizes public entities operating jointly or concurrently to provide water or sewer services with new powers to issue bonds and impose assessments on property owners. The bill expands financing mechanisms available to multi-jurisdictional water and sewer authorities in Texas.

Why is this important

Water and sewer infrastructure requires substantial capital investment, and many Texas regions face aging infrastructure or growth-related capacity needs. This bill enables regional authorities to finance improvements more flexibly without requiring individual municipal debt votes, potentially accelerating critical infrastructure projects across service areas.

Potential points of contention

  • Assessment authority: New power to impose assessments on properties could increase utility costs for residents and businesses without direct voter approval in some cases, raising fairness concerns about cost distribution
  • Multi-jurisdictional governance: Joint authorities operating across city/county boundaries may reduce individual municipalities' control over local water/sewer decisions and rates
  • Debt expansion: Increased bonding authority could accumulate regional debt obligations that burden future taxpayers, particularly if projects underperform financially

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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