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HB2694

Regular Session

Relating to the election and resignation of and filling of vacancies on the board of commissioners of the Brazoria Drainage District No. 4.

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2025-06-20
Enforcing Agencies

Brazoria Drainage District No. 4 Board of Commissioners

HB2694
Relating to the election and resignation of and filling of vacancies on the board of commissioners of the Brazoria Drainage District No. 4.
Low Urgency
Passed with Opposition
House Vote120 - 11
YEA
92% in favor131 voting
Senate Vote30 - 1
YEA
97% in favor31 voting
12
Total Opposition Votes
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-06-20
Enforcing Agencies
Brazoria Drainage District No. 4...
Primary Author: Rep. Cody Vasut
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: June 20, 2025 (Immediate).
  • Compliance Deadline: Immediate for monitoring board composition; May 2027 is the first election under the new cycle (Place 3).
  • Agency Rulemaking: No state-level rulemaking required. The BDD4 Board must adopt local election orders to align with the May uniform election dates in 2027 and 2029.

Immediate Action Plan

  • Update Political Calendars: Shift all BDD4 regulatory advocacy planning to center around May odd-year elections.
  • Audit Active Permits: If you have controversial permits pending, note that the current board composition is locked in until May 2027 (Place 3) and May 2029 (Places 1 & 2). You cannot "wait out" the current board in the November 2026 cycle.
  • Verify Signatory Authority: In the event of a commissioner running for higher office, confirm they have not triggered the automatic resignation clause before executing binding documents with the District.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Government Relations Retainers: Review lobbying or consulting agreements tied to election cycles. Scope of work must extend to cover the lengthened terms of current commissioners (Place 3 to May 2027; Places 1 & 2 to May 2029).
  • Service Agreements: If professional service contracts (legal, engineering, auditing) are tied to "annual board reorganization," note that this date shifts from January 1 to June 1 following future elections.

Hiring/Training

  • No direct impact on private sector hiring or training.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Candidate Filings: Any company officer intending to run for the BDD4 Board must now file for candidacy in the Spring of odd-numbered years rather than the Fall of even-numbered years.
  • Vacancy Monitoring: Compliance officers must monitor public statements by current commissioners. An announcement of candidacy for another office (if >1 year 30 days remains on their term) triggers an automatic, immediate resignation, potentially voiding subsequent votes.

Fees & Costs

  • No new fees. The fiscal impact is internal to the District regarding election administration costs.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • Vacancy Deadlock: The District has a three-member board. If the "resign-to-run" provision is triggered, the board drops to two members. If these two cannot agree on a replacement within 60 days, the District may face regulatory paralysis until a special election is held.
  • Definition of "Announcement": The statute triggers resignation upon "announcement" of candidacy for another office. Ambiguity exists regarding informal "exploratory" committees. Businesses should verify the legal standing of a commissioner before relying on their vote if they are publicly exploring other political offices.

Need Help Understanding Implementation?

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Feb 12, 2025
Passed House
May 16, 2025
Passed Senate
May 28, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
TopicsBrazoria Drainage District No. 4Special Districts & AuthoritiesSpecial Districts & Authorities--water Control Improve Dist.
03

House Authors

Rep. Cody VasutRepublican · Primary Author

Senate Sponsor

Sen. Mayes MiddletonRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HB2694

Q

What does Texas HB2694 do?

HB 2694 immediately restructures the governance of Brazoria Drainage District No. 4 (BDD4) by shifting elections from November (even years) to May (odd years) and statutorily extending current commissioner terms by 6 to 18 months. Developers and contractors operating within BDD4 must adjust government relations strategies to align with this new cycle and prepare for potential sudden board vacancies triggered by strict new "resign-to-run" provisions.

Q

Who authored HB2694?

HB2694 was authored by Texas Representative Cody Vasut during the Regular Session.

Q

When was HB2694 signed into law?

HB2694 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce HB2694?

HB2694 is enforced by Brazoria Drainage District No. 4 Board of Commissioners.

Q

How urgent is compliance with HB2694?

The compliance urgency for HB2694 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

Q

What is the cost impact of HB2694?

The cost impact of HB2694 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does HB2694 address?

HB2694 addresses topics including brazoria drainage district no. 4, special districts & authorities and special districts & authorities--water control improve dist..

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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