Relating to the interconnection to the ERCOT power grid of certain coastal facilities for the provision of electric service.
SB 383 prohibits Texas' Public Utility Commission from approving interconnection of offshore wind power facilities to the ERCOT grid under specific conditions. The bill requires the Commission to deny approvals if a facility might negatively impact shipping routes, tourism, fishing, wildlife, migratory patterns, or public safety in disaster-prone areas, or if existing services are sufficient. It directly affects offshore wind developers and the Commission's approval process for grid connections. The law takes effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote, or September 1, 2025, otherwise.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2024
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Nov 15, 2024
Last action May 22, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Engrossed
·
5 edits
·
May 8, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was completely rewritten from prohibiting offshore wind power facilities to prohibiting interconnection of coastal wind power facilities to the ERCOT grid. The scope changed from offshore locations to coastal areas within three marine leagues of the Gulf of America coast, and the bill now applies to both wind turbines and their supporting infrastructure.
Scope change
Changed from offshore wind power facilities to coastal wind power facilities within three marine leagues of the Gulf of America coast, and expanded to include transmission and distribution facilities that interconnect to these wind facilities.
SCOPE
Changed the prohibited location from 'offshore' to 'coastal facilities within three marine leagues of the coast' in the Gulf of America.
DEFINITION
Added specific definition of 'wind power facility' to include wind turbine generators and supporting equipment like transmission lines, transformers, and battery storage facilities.
REQUIREMENT
Added prohibition on interconnecting to the ERCOT power grid for wind power facilities in the specified coastal area.
TIMELINE
Changed the effective date from immediate (if two-thirds vote) or September 1, 2025, to a fixed effective date of September 1, 2025.
ELIGIBILITY
Removed specific criteria about negatively impacting industries, tourism, fishing, wildlife, and natural disasters that were in the original version.
Floor votes · Senate May 8, 2025
How they voted
21–9
Passed
Total votes 30
May 8, 2025
D
Democratic10
90% Nay
R
Republican20
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
34
Key actions
11
Committee
10
Amendments
3
May 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
May 12, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Affairs
lower
May 12, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
May 9, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
May 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
May 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
upper
May 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
May 8, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
May 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
May 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
May 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Apr 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Apr 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Business & Commerce
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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