Monitoring the Session

HB 5659

bill requiring hearings before Northeast Texas water deals

Became law

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Jay DeanRHouse 7

Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the procedural requirements applicable to certain water-related transactions involving the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Notice and a chance for anyone to speak first.

The bill requires the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District to hold a public hearing, with notice and a chance for anyone to speak, before it signs certain water contracts or acquires a water appropriation permit. It also requires that each member city entitled to appoint a director approve the deal by majority vote of its governing body before the district can go ahead. Starting September 1, 2025, the district's water deals face public input and a veto from each member city.

Labels

Labels: INSTANT LAW. Took effect immediately, on Jun 22, 2025. 833 of the 1,185 graded 89R laws took effect Sep 1, 2025 (derived from the bill histories, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB5659 · 2025-03-28

SOLD BY

Rep. Jay DeanRHouse 7 Rep. Gary VanDeaverRHouse 1 Rep. Cole HefnerRHouse 5

ITEM

relating to the procedural requirements applicable to certain water-related transactions involving the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District.

WHAT IT DOES

Notice and a chance for anyone to speak first.

The bill requires the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District to hold a public hearing, with notice and a chance for anyone to speak, before it signs certain water contracts or acquires a water appropriation permit. It also requires that each member city entitled to appoint a director approve the deal by majority vote of its governing body before the district can go ahead. Starting September 1, 2025, the district's water deals face public input and a veto from each member city.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 27, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to Natural Resources
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Committee substitute considered in committee
  7. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  8. Left pending in committee
  9. Considered in formal meeting
  10. Committee substitute considered in committee
  11. Reported favorably as substituted
  12. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  13. Committee report distributed
  14. Committee report sent to Calendars
  15. Considered in Calendars
  16. Placed on General State Calendar
  17. Read 2nd time
  18. Passed to engrossment
  19. Record vote RV#2505
  20. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  21. Read 3rd time
  22. Passed
  23. Record vote RV#2622
  24. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  25. Reported engrossed
  26. Received from the House
  27. Read first time
  28. Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
  29. Posting rule suspended
  30. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  31. Considered in public hearing
  32. Testimony taken in committee
  33. Vote taken in committee
  34. Reported favorably as substituted
  35. Committee report printed and distributed
  36. Placed on intent calendar
  37. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  38. Read 2nd time
  39. Amendment(s) offered FA1 Hughes
  40. Amended
  41. Vote recorded in Journal
  42. Passed to 3rd reading as amended
  43. Vote recorded in Journal
  44. Three day rule suspended
  45. Record vote
  46. Read 3rd time
  47. Passed
  48. Record vote
  49. Senate passage as amended reported
  50. Senate Amendments distributed
  51. Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
  52. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)
  53. Record vote RV#3999
  54. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  55. Text of Senate Amendment(s)
  56. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
  57. Reported enrolled
  58. Signed in the House
  59. Signed in the Senate
  60. Sent to the Governor
  61. Signed by the Governor
  62. Effective immediately
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 108 yea · 32 nay

Senate · 28 yea · 3 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 15, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 26, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Jay Dean

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$74KTexas Conservative Majority PAC$47KTexas Sands PAC$42K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$74,300.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$74,300.00

Cash
$65,000.00
Paid by others
$9,300.00
Total
$74,300.00
polling $9,300.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 19, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101007728, 101025857, 101035931, 101070129.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$46,524.22

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$46,524.22

Cash
$566.02
Paid by others
$45,958.20
Total
$46,524.22
canvassing $42,750.00printing $3,208.20

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 17, 2026 to Feb 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101036566.

Texas Sands PAC$42,166.67

Texas Sands PAC

$42,166.67

Cash
$37,500.00
Paid by others
$4,666.67
Total
$42,166.67
polling $4,666.67

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989410, 101025857, 101036566, 101070129.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$74,300.00

Cash
$65,000.00
Paid by others
$9,300.00
Total
$74,300.00
polling $9,300.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 19, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101007728, 101025857, 101035931, 101070129.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$46,524.22

Cash
$566.02
Paid by others
$45,958.20
Total
$46,524.22
canvassing $42,750.00printing $3,208.20

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 17, 2026 to Feb 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101036566.

×

Texas Sands PAC

$42,166.67

Cash
$37,500.00
Paid by others
$4,666.67
Total
$42,166.67
polling $4,666.67

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989410, 101025857, 101036566, 101070129.

Votes7

House May 28, 2025

Yea
105
Nay
29
Present, not voting
1
Absent
5
Excused
10
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 3999

Representative Dean moved to concur in the senate amendments to HB 5659. The motion to concur in the senate amendments to HB 5659 prevailed by (Record 3999): 105 Yeas, 29 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 105 (published)
  • Nay: 29 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 10 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 26, 2025

Yea
28
Nay
3
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3. (Same as previous roll call)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 28 (published)
  • Nay: 3 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 26, 2025

Yea
28
Nay
3
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Hughes moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSHB 5659 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 28 (published)
  • Nay: 3 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 26, 2025

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

CSHB 5659 as amended was passed to third reading by a viva voce vote.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: Not printed
  • Nay: Not printed
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 26, 2025

Yea
28
Nay
3
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Hughes moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSHB 5659 at this time on its second reading: CSHB 5659, Relating to the procedural requirements applicable to interbasin transfers of water involving the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 28 (published)
  • Nay: 3 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 15, 2025

Yea
108
Nay
32
Present, not voting
2
Absent
3
Excused
5
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2622

HB 5659 was passed by (Record 2622): 108 Yeas, 32 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 108 (published)
  • Nay: 32 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 5 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 14, 2025

Yea
114
Nay
23
Present, not voting
2
Absent
5
Excused
6
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2505

CSHB 5659 was passed to engrossment by (Record 2505): 114 Yeas, 23 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 114 (published)
  • Nay: 23 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses2
For
1
Against
0
On
1
Names

For

  • Energy Transfer1 registration

On

  • Northeast Texas Municipal Water District1 registration
Sources

2 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 27, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Mar 28, 2025

06/22/2025 E Effective immediately

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors
Bryan HughesRSenate 1

House committee · Natural Resources · Committee vote 10 aye, 2 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs · Committee vote 7 aye, 1 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Subjects

NORTHEAST TEXAS MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT (DN9ZU)

Special Districts & Authorities--Municipal Utility Districts

Special Districts & Authorities--Water & Utility

PUBLIC NOTICE

Text

The text as introduced · 234 words

89R16549 SCF-D

By: Dean
H.B. No. 5659

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the procedural requirements applicable to certain

water-related transactions involving the Northeast Texas Municipal

Water District.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 78, Acts of the 53rd Legislature,

Regular Session, 1953, is amended by adding Sections 17A and 17B to

read as follows:

Sec. 17A. (a) Before the District may enter into a contract

under Section 15 or 17 of this Act or acquire a water appropriation

permit under Section 17 of this Act, the Board of Directors shall

hold a public hearing on the proposed contract or permit

acquisition.

(b) The Board of Directors shall provide any interested

person an opportunity to appear before the Board at the hearing and

speak on the proposed contract or permit acquisition.

(c) The Board of Directors shall provide notice of the

hearing in the manner provided by Section 49.063, Water Code, for a

meeting of the Board.

Sec. 17B. The District may enter into a contract or acquire

a permit described by Section 17A of this Act only if the contract

or permit acquisition is approved by a majority vote of the

governing body of each city that is entitled to appoint one or more

directors under Section 3 or 6 of this Act.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.