Relating to the authority of the Railroad Commission of Texas and the Public Utility Commission of Texas to address a failure by an operator to maintain an electrical power line serving a well site or certain surface facilities in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
HB 143 requires oil and gas operators to maintain electrical power lines at well sites and related surface facilities according to the National Electrical Code. Landowners or lessees can report unsafe conditions to the Railroad Commission, which must inspect and notify the Public Utility Commission and operator within three days if a fire or injury risk is found. The Railroad Commission must resolve the issue within 10 days and inform the affected landowner. This law directly affects oil/gas operators, landowners near well sites, and the Railroad Commission and Public Utility Commission of Texas. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on June 20, 2025.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 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
·
4 edits
·
Jun 20, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates the standards for electrical power lines serving oil and gas well sites in Texas. It clarifies that operators must maintain these lines according to the National Electrical Code and gives the Railroad Commission authority to address safety hazards. The changes also expand the commission's ability to notify landowners and coordinate with utility companies when dangerous conditions are discovered.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on electrical power lines at oil and gas well sites, but it clarifies the standards and procedures for addressing safety hazards.
REQUIREMENT
Updated the specific standards for electrical power line maintenance to align with the National Electrical Code published by the National Fire Protection Association.
ENFORCEMENT
Added new procedures for the Railroad Commission to notify landowners and coordinate with the Public Utility Commission when dangerous conditions are discovered at well sites.
TIMELINE
Modified the timeline for notifying landowners about dangerous conditions, specifying that notification must occur within 10 days of discovery or 30 days if contact information is unavailable.
TECHNICAL
Added new subsections detailing specific actions the commission and utility companies can take to resolve dangerous conditions, including requesting inspections and disconnecting electric service.
Floor votes · House Apr 2, 2025
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
57
Key actions
17
Committee
12
Amendments
6
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
May 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 28, 2025
Introduced
House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
upper
May 28, 2025
Introduced
Text of Senate Amendment(s)
lower
May 28, 2025
Introduced
House concurs in Senate amendment(s)
lower
May 24, 2025
Introduced
Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
lower
May 24, 2025
Introduced
Senate Amendments distributed
lower
May 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate passage as amended reported
lower
May 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
May 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
May 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
May 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Natural Resources
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Mar 12, 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
5 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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