Relating to a customer guide to home solar energy devices.
SB 1697 requires the Texas Public Utility Commission to create and maintain a plain-language guide for homeowners considering solar energy installations. The guide must cover key topics like utility services (net metering, rebates), roof suitability factors (orientation, shade), financial details (tax credits, maintenance costs), and contact information for the Commission. It directly affects homeowners researching solar options and electric utilities, which must link to the guide on their websites and include it with customer bills starting September 2025. The bill mandates the guide be updated periodically and published online, providing standardized information to help consumers make informed decisions about home solar systems.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 27, 2025
Signed May 13, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Engrossed
→
Enrolled
·
3 edits
·
May 13, 2025
MINOR
The bill text was reformatted from a legislative draft to the final enrolled version, adding certification signatures and vote counts while preserving the original solar energy guide requirements. The substantive policy content regarding transparency and best practices for rooftop solar systems remains unchanged.
Scope change
No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; only formatting and finalization marks were added.
TECHNICAL
Added enrolled version header, certification signatures, and vote counts for Senate and House passage
Removed draft formatting markers and page numbers from the original bill text
Reorganized text layout while maintaining identical legislative content regarding solar energy device guides
Floor votes · House Apr 28, 2025
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
49
Key actions
15
Committee
10
May 13, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
May 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage reported
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Apr 28, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (114-29-1)
house
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Affairs
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Mar 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Committee
Referred to Business & Commerce
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Gary VanDeaver
RRepublican
P
Judith Zaffirini
DDemocratic
Co
CB
César Blanco
DDemocratic
Co
JM
José Menéndez
DDemocratic
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