Relating to the Lower Neches Valley Authority, following recommendations of the Sunset Advisory Commission; specifying term length grounds for the removal of a member of the board of directors.

Contracts

• Authority Verification: The law mandates a strict separation between the Board (policy) and the General Manager (management). Review all pending contracts to ensure you are negotiating with the correct authority; operational contract details negotiated directly with the Board may be invalid under the new policy structure.
• Conflict of Interest: Vendor contracts involving Board members will face heightened scrutiny. Ensure all Chapter 171 (Local Government Code) disclosures are updated, as a Director's failure to disclose is now explicit grounds for removal from office.

Hiring/Training

• Board Training Impact: While this applies to Directors, businesses must anticipate Board unavailability. Directors cannot vote after December 1, 2025, without completed training.
• Public Engagement: Government affairs teams must prepare for new statutory public testimony opportunities. The Board is now required to allow public comment on *any* issue under its jurisdiction, not just agenda items.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• Complaint Lifecycle: If your organization files a formal complaint against the LNVA, the Authority is now legally required to provide you with periodic status updates until final disposition.
• Discovery Prep: In the event of litigation, new discoverable records will exist, including Director training acknowledgments and a centralized complaint log.

Fees & Costs

• No Direct Fee Increases: The legislation does not authorize new fees.
• Cost of Delay: Potential costs may arise from project delays if the Board loses quorum due to the new training/attendance removal requirements.