HB 14 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to support for the development of the nuclear energy industry.

HB 14 creates the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office within the Governor's office to support the state's nuclear energy industry. The bill defines "advanced nuclear projects" to include facilities using next-generation reactors (like small modular reactors), fuel cycle operations, and associated technologies. The office will provide strategic leadership, develop public outreach programs, and promote job creation in advanced manufacturing while advancing nuclear energy for reliable power generation. This law directly affects Texas nuclear developers, utilities, and communities involved in nuclear facility projects. The office is authorized until September 1, 2040.

Issues: ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

House Passage

Jun 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Mar 7, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 8 edits · Jun 20, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an enrolled version with substantive policy changes including updated definitions, sunset dates, and expanded grant programs. The most significant changes involve the creation of a Texas Advanced Nuclear Development Fund with specific grant programs for project development, construction, and completion bonuses, along with new eligibility requirements and oversight mechanisms.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from establishing a general office to creating a comprehensive grant program with specific funding thresholds and eligibility criteria for nuclear energy projects.

DEFINITION

Updated terminology from 'advanced nuclear reactor' to 'advanced nuclear project' in some sections to clarify scope.

TIMELINE

Changed sunset date from September 1, 2040 to September 1, 2035.

FISCAL

Created new grant programs with specific funding limits: up to $12.5 million for project development and up to $120 million for construction reimbursement.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for grant recipients including benchmarks, milestones, and repayment obligations if benchmarks are not met.

Added new duties for the nuclear permitting coordinator including acting as single point of contact and documenting all assistance provided.

ENFORCEMENT

Established oversight mechanisms requiring lieutenant governor and speaker of the house review for proposed grants.

ELIGIBILITY

Added restrictions preventing grants to recipients who received state-appropriated money for advanced nuclear reactors.

TECHNICAL

Added confidentiality provisions protecting grant application information from public disclosure.

Introduced → Engrossed · 9 edits · May 28, 2025

MAJOR

The bill was substantially rewritten to establish a new Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office within the Governor's office, create a dedicated funding mechanism for nuclear development grants, and establish workforce development programs. The original version focused on funding mechanisms through the Public Utility Commission, while the new version creates a more comprehensive office structure with specific director qualifications, grant programs for project development and construction, and a new workforce development initiative.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from primarily funding mechanisms to include comprehensive office establishment, detailed grant programs, workforce development, and regulatory coordination. The applicability now includes multiple entities: the Governor's office, Public Utility Commission, institutions of higher education, and various stakeholders in the nuclear energy industry.

SCOPE

Created a new Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office within the Governor's office with specific duties including strategic leadership, public outreach, and regulatory coordination.

FISCAL

Established a new Texas Advanced Nuclear Development Fund as a dedicated account in the general revenue fund, separate from the Texas energy fund.

Changed grant structures from general funding mechanisms to specific reimbursement programs with defined caps: up to 50% of qualifying expenses up to $12.5 million for project development and up to 50% up to $200 million for construction.

REQUIREMENT

Added new director qualifications requiring demonstrated experience in advanced nuclear energy and executive/organizational ability.

Established a new workforce development program under the Labor Code to address skilled labor demands in the advanced nuclear energy industry.

TIMELINE

Set specific deadlines including grant program implementation starting June 2, 2029, and a study submission deadline of December 1, 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

Created new eligibility criteria for grants requiring applicants to file construction permit or combined license applications with the nuclear commission before receiving funding.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Office' (Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office) and 'Utility commission' (Public Utility Commission of Texas).

TECHNICAL

Added confidentiality provisions protecting grant application information from public disclosure under Chapter 552.

Floor votes · Senate May 27, 2025 · House Apr 23, 2025

How they voted

25–5

Passed

Total votes 30

May 27, 2025

D Democratic10

8 Yea 2 Nay

80% Yea

R Republican20

17 Yea 3 Nay

85% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 20, 2025

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor

executive

Jun 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Signed in the Senate

upper

Jun 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Signed in the House

lower

May 30, 2025

Introduced

House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported

upper

May 30, 2025

Introduced

Text of Senate Amendment(s)

lower

May 30, 2025

Introduced

House concurs in Senate amendment(s)

lower

May 29, 2025

Introduced

Senate Amendments Analysis distributed

lower

May 29, 2025

Introduced

Senate Amendments distributed

lower

May 29, 2025

Lower · Passed

Senate passage as amended reported

lower

May 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed as amended

upper

May 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amended

upper

May 28, 2025

Introduced

Amendment(s) offered

upper

May 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Senate passage as amended reported

lower

May 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

May 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed to 3rd reading as amended

upper

May 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amended

upper

May 27, 2025

Introduced

Amendment(s) offered

upper

May 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

May 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

upper

May 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

May 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

Left pending in committee

upper

May 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

Testimony taken in committee

upper

Apr 24, 2025

Committee

Referred to Business & Commerce

upper

Apr 24, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Introduced

Received from the House

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed to engrossment as amended

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

Mar 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

lower

Mar 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

Mar 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

lower

Mar 7, 2025

Committee

Referred to State Affairs

lower

Mar 7, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

2 primary · 41 co-sponsors