HB 5224 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the designation of certain natural gas facilities as seasonally critical.

HB 5224 establishes a process for designating certain natural gas facilities as "seasonally critical" during energy emergencies. It requires the Texas Railroad Commission to create rules defining criteria for facilities that must provide critical information during emergencies, with designations limited to specific seasons (e.g., winter heating periods) based on operational needs. Facilities must be prepared to operate during weather emergencies to qualify, and the Public Utility Commission will receive a list of these seasonal designations by March 2026. This affects natural gas producers, transporters, and related infrastructure operators under the Railroad Commission's jurisdiction.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Apr 7, 2025 Last action May 13, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · May 8, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change the designation of critical natural gas facilities from a permanent status to a seasonal basis, allowing facilities to be designated as critical only during specific weather emergency seasons. This change adds new requirements for the Texas Railroad Commission to establish seasonal criteria and update the Public Utility Commission with annual lists of designated facilities. The bill also clarifies that seasonal facilities can participate in competitively procured demand reductions during their designated seasons.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from designating permanent critical natural gas facilities to designating them as seasonal critical customers, expanding the flexibility for facility operators to apply for seasonal designations based on weather emergency needs.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed critical facility designation from permanent to seasonal basis, allowing facilities to be designated only during specific weather emergency seasons.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for Railroad Commission to establish standards for determining seasonal designation periods including beginning and end dates for each season.

Added requirement for Railroad Commission to provide annual lists of seasonal critical customers to the Public Utility Commission by March 31, 2026.

Added process allowing facility owners to apply for seasonal designation as part of their critical infrastructure designation application.

TIMELINE

Updated rulemaking deadlines to February 1, 2026 for adopting seasonal designation criteria and lists to be provided by March 31, 2026.

Floor votes · House May 8, 2025

How they voted

137–1

Passed · 8 other

Total votes 146

May 8, 2025

D Democratic59

57 Yea 2

96% Yea

R Republican87

80 Yea 1 Nay 6

91% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 13, 2025

Committee

Referred to Business & Commerce

upper

May 13, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

May 9, 2025

Introduced

Received from the House

upper

May 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

May 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed to engrossment

lower

Apr 29, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

Apr 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

Apr 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

lower

Apr 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

Apr 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Committee

Referred to Energy Resources

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

2 primary · 1 co-sponsor