Directors are entitled to office fees and expense reimbursement, but the board and district must set and cap those amounts, and directors must file a verified service statement to get paid or reimbursed.
Sec. 49.060. FEES OF OFFICE; REIMBURSEMENT. (a) A director is entitled to receive fees of office for each day the director actually spends performing the duties of a director. The board by resolution shall set the fees of office. The board may not set the fees of office at an amount greater than the amount of the per diem set by the Texas Ethics Commission for members of the legislature under Section 24a, Article III, Texas Constitution. In this subsection, "performing the duties of a director" means substantive performance of the management or business of the district, including participation in board and committee meetings and other activities involving the substantive deliberation of district business and in pertinent educational programs. The phrase does not include routine or ministerial activities such as the execution of documents, self-preparation for meetings, or other activities requiring a minimal amount of time. (a-1) A district, by resolution of the board, shall set a limit on the fees of office that a director may receive in a year. Except for a district that is a special water authority engaged in the distribution and sale of electric energy to the public, a district may not set the annual limit at an amount greater than $7,200. (a-2) Notwithstanding Subsection (a-1), an authority created by special law, by resolution of the board, may not set the annual limit on the fees of office described by that subsection at an amount greater than the amount a director would receive for 60 days of service a year at the maximum daily rate authorized by Subsection (a). (b) Each director is also entitled to receive reimbursement of actual expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred while engaging in activities on behalf of the district. (c) In order to receive fees of office and to receive reimbursement for expenses, each director shall file with the district a verified statement showing the number of days actually spent in the service of the district and a general description of the duties performed for each day of service. (d) Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 736, Sec. 2. (e) Section 49.002 notwithstanding, in all areas of conflict the provisions of this section shall take precedence over all prior statutory enactments. If the enactment of this section results in an increase in the fees of office for any district, that district's fees of office shall not increase unless the board adopts a resolution authorizing payment of the higher fees. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 715, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 695, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1423, Sec. 3, eff. June 17, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 736, Sec. 1, 2, eff. June 20, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1009 (H.B. 2815), Sec. 12, eff. June 18, 2023.