This section defines key terms used in the chapter, including district, commission, board, executive director, water supply corporation, director, municipal solid waste, special water authority, potable water, and district facility.
Sec. 49.001. DEFINITIONS. (a) As used in this chapter: (1) "District" means any district or authority created by authority of either Sections 52(b)(1) and (2), Article III, or Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, regardless of how created. The term "district" shall not include any navigation district or port authority created under general or special law, any conservation and reclamation district created pursuant to Chapter 62, Acts of the 52nd Legislature, 1951 (Article 8280-141, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), or any conservation and reclamation district governed by Chapter 36 unless a special law creating the district or amending the law creating the district states that this chapter applies to that district. (2) "Commission" means the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. (3) "Board" means the governing body of a district. (4) "Executive director" means the executive director of the commission. (5) "Water supply corporation" means a nonprofit water supply or sewer service corporation created or operating under Chapter 67. (6) "Director" means either a supervisor or director appointed or elected to the board. (7) "Municipal solid waste" has the same meaning assigned by Section 361.003, Health and Safety Code. (8) "Special water authority" means a river authority as that term is defined in Section 30.003, or a district created by a special Act of the legislature that: (A) is a provider of water or wastewater service to two or more municipalities; and (B) is governed by a board of directors appointed or designated in whole or in part by the governor, the Texas Water Development Board, or municipalities within its service area. (9) "Potable water" means water that has been treated for public drinking water supply purposes. (10) "District facility" means tangible real and personal property of the district, including any plant, equipment, means, recreational facility as defined by Section 49.462, or instrumentality owned, leased, operated, used, controlled, furnished, or supplied for, by, or in connection with the business or operations of a district. The term specifically includes a reservoir or easement of a district. (b) These definitions are for use in this chapter only and have no effect on any other statute or code unless specifically referenced by that statute or code. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 715, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 18.66, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1354, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 343, Sec. 1. Amended by: Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 986 (S.B. 766), Sec. 94, eff. September 1, 2025.