Bills Filed for the 2025 Texas Legislative Session

Relating to renewable energy generation facilities; authorizing fees:

This bill will require Wind and Solar facilities to apply for a permit from the state. The application requires timely notification to citizens, input from the County Judge and set standard for setbacks (the setbacks are too low but can be argued in Committee). Additionally real mechanisms must be put into place for approval by TPW and other agencies and they MUST put up decommissioning funds up front. Plus, facilities receiving a permit are not allowed to receive Ch 312 tax abatements.

HB553 has better setbacks. See that bill further down the list.

Bill Text: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB00819I.htm

This bill changes the goals for electric generation capacity to include all dispatchable energy sources and not just natural gas (note that wind, solar and batteries are NOT dispatchable). It provides credits to dispatchable energy sources if the total grid power mix drops to less than 55% dispatchable energy.

Bill Text: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB00388I.htm

This bill adds regulation of battery storage facilities at the county level and prevents their installation within 500 yards of another property.

Bill Text: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/HB01378I.htm

This bill requires permitting of battery storage facilities by the PUC. It requires county notification, public hearings, 

Bill Text: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/HB01343I.htm

This bill requires permitting for Wind and Solar projects. For the permit a public hearing must be held and residents within 25 miles and county judge must be notified. Facilities must be at least 500 feet from other property lines and 1,000 from any habitable structures. This bill has better setbacks than SB819.

Bill Text: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/HB00553I.htm

This bill prevents the issuing of a certificate to build, own, or operate a facility that imports or exports power (a transmission line) within the ERCOT grid that would put any part of that grid under control over the FERC (US government).

Bill Text: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/HB01710I.htm

This bill prevents solar developers from rapid depreciation of a facility to minimize property taxes. A facility would have to depreciate their facility over no less than 35 years, making them responsible for much more in taxes.

Bill Text: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB00419I.htm

This bill requires wind turbine developers to install light mitigation technology to reduce light pollution caused by wind turbines.

Bill Text: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/HB00560I.htm