Read the full stored bill text
89(R) HB 2898 - Enrolled version - Bill Text
H.B. No. 2898
AN ACT
relating to requirements for certain meteorological evaluation
towers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 21.071, Transportation
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 21.071. [
PAINTING AND MARKING
] REQUIREMENTS FOR
CERTAIN METEOROLOGICAL EVALUATION TOWERS; OFFENSE.
SECTION 2. Section 21.071, Transportation Code, is amended
by amending Subsections (a) and (e) and adding Subsections (c-1),
(c-2), and (c-3) to read as follows:
(a) In this section
:
(1) "Meteorological
[
, "meteorological
] evaluation
tower" means a structure that:
(A)
[
(1)
] is self-standing or supported by guy
wires and anchors;
(B)
[
(2)
] is not more than
12
[
six
] feet in
diameter at the base of the structure; and
(C)
[
(3)
] has accessory facilities on which an
antenna, sensor, camera, meteorological instrument, or other
equipment is mounted for the purpose of documenting whether a site
has sufficient wind resources for the operation of a wind turbine
generator.
(2)
"Military aviation training facility" means a
base, station, fort, or camp at which any branch of the United
States armed forces regularly conducts aviation training.
(c-1)
A person may not erect a meteorological evaluation
tower unless the person provides notice to the department in
accordance with this subsection of the person's intent to erect the
tower. Notice provided under this subsection must:
(1) be on a form prescribed by the department;
(2)
be submitted through the department's Internet
website not later than the 30th day before the date erection of the
tower begins; and
(3) contain the following information:
(A)
the name, address, and contact information of
the owner or operator of the meteorological evaluation tower;
(B)
the proposed location of the meteorological
evaluation tower, including the site's latitude, longitude, and
ground elevation and the tower's height above ground level;
(C)
the date the person proposes to begin
erecting the meteorological evaluation tower; and
(D)
any other information the department
considers necessary to determine the ownership, physical
characteristics, or location of the meteorological evaluation
tower.
(c-2)
The owner or operator of the meteorological
evaluation tower shall notify the department in the form and manner
prescribed by the department of any change in the information
contained in the notice provided for the tower under Subsection
(c-1).
(c-3)
Not later than the 30th day after the date the
department receives notice of a person's intent to erect a
meteorological evaluation tower under Subsection (c-1), the
department shall provide a copy of the notice to:
(1)
each federally owned or operated radar
installation or military aviation training facility in this state
whose boundaries are within 50 nautical miles of the tower;
(2)
the county judge of each county in this state that
contains a radar installation or military aviation training
facility described by Subdivision (1); and
(3)
the county judge of each county in this state
within 25 miles of a radar installation or military aviation
training facility described by Subdivision (1).
(e) The department shall adopt rules to implement and
administer this section, including rules requiring a person[
:
[
(1)
] who owns
or
[
,
] operates[
, or erects
] a
meteorological evaluation tower [
to provide notice to the
department of the existence of or intent to erect a meteorological
evaluation tower; and
[
(2)
] to register the [
meteorological evaluation
]
tower with the department.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
______________________________
______________________________
President of the Senate
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2898 was passed by the House on May 2,
2025, by the following vote: Yeas 129, Nays 8, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2898 was passed by the Senate on May
22, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor