Relating to the establishment of the Texas geothermal energy production policy council.

89(R) HB 3240 - Engrossed version - Bill Text

89R4064 JAM-D

By: Guerra, Darby, Morales of Maverick,

H.B. No. 3240

Rosenthal, Garcia of Bexar, et al.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the Texas geothermal energy

production policy council.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 81, Natural Resources

Code, is amended by adding Section 81.076 to read as follows:

Sec.

81.076.

TEXAS GEOTHERMAL ENERGY PRODUCTION POLICY

COUNCIL.

(a)

In this section, "council" means the Texas geothermal

energy production policy council.

(b)

The Texas geothermal energy production policy council

is established within the commission to study and make

recommendations relating to the commission's policy framework for

geothermal energy development.

(c) The council is composed of:

(1)

the chair of the commission or the chair's

designee;

(2)

the director of the Bureau of Economic Geology of

The University of Texas at Austin or the director's designee; and

(3)

not more than 11 members appointed by the

commission to represent as many different types of participants as

possible, including at least three but not more than five

representatives from the geothermal energy industry.

(d)

The chair of the commission or the chair of the

commission's designee is the chair of the council.

(e)

A member of the council is not entitled to compensation

or reimbursement of expenses for service on the council.

(f) The council shall:

(1)

study the development of geothermal energy

industries in this state, including the development of facilities

for the production, pipeline transportation, and storage of

geothermal energy;

(2)

analyze how tax incentives or cooperation with the

Geothermal Technologies Office of the United States Department of

Energy could encourage the development of geothermal energy

projects in this state; and

(3)

develop a state plan for geothermal energy

production oversight by the commission.

(g)

The council shall make recommendations to the

legislature relating to legislative changes needed for the

oversight and regulation of production, pipeline transportation,

and storage of geothermal energy.

(h)

The council is abolished and this section expires

January 1, 2032.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.