Four bills that would help ease The Woodlands’ potential transition to become a city are steps closer to becoming law in the Texas Legislature.

Senate Bills 1014 and 1015 were passed through the Senate on April 26, while the companion bills, House Bill 2110 and HB 2183, were heard in committee April 18 and April 26, respectively. If signed into law, the bills would expand the enabling legislation approved in 2007 that released The Woodlands from potential annexation by Houston and Conroe until 2057 and provide a legal path to incorporation.

Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, who authored both Senate bills, said former Sen. Tommy Williams and former Rep. Rob Eisler worked during several past legislative sessions to enable the residents of The Woodlands to control their own future and self-governance options.

“This legislation is the next chapter in carrying these goals forward should the people of The Woodlands ever choose to direct the local elected township members to move toward an incorporation process,” Creighton said.

Although there is no specific timeline, The Woodlands has until 2057 to incorporate before potential annexation by Houston and Conroe. Voters in The Woodlands will have the ultimate say over whether to become a city should the township’s board of directors choose to place incorporation on a ballot.

There are two types of cities in Texas: general law and home rule. The Texas Constitution only allows communities to incorporate as general law cities, which have populations of 5,000 or less. Therefore, the township cannot incorporate today because of its population of more than 110,000 residents.

Aside from allowing The Woodlands to legally incorporate as a general law city, the legislation requires a proposed initial property tax rate at incorporation be included in any ballot language. Additionally, the assets, liabilities and obligations of the township would be transferred to the new city approved through an election, according to the legislation.

Township board Chairman Gordy Bunch and other representatives from The Woodlands testified during both hearings in favor of the legislation.

“I believe we have the talent and skills within our community to be self-governed,” Bunch said. “We’re looking at this clean-up legislation to enable us to start the planning process.”