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SB879 • 2025

Relating to an exemption for drillers or operators of closed-loop geothermal injection wells from certain requirements applicable to persons involved in activities under the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas.

Relating to an exemption for drillers or operators of closed-loop geothermal injection wells from certain requirements applicable to persons involved in activities under the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Birdwell
Last action
2025-05-19
Official status
05/19/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25
Effective date
2025-05-19

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Relating to an exemption for drillers or operators of closed-loop geothermal injection wells from certain requirements applicable to persons involved in activities under the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas.

Relating to an exemption for drillers or operators of closed-loop geothermal injection wells from certain requirements applicable to persons involved in activities under the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas.

What This Bill Does

  • Relating to an exemption for drillers or operators of closed-loop geothermal injection wells from certain requirements applicable to persons involved in activities under the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2025-05-19 Texas Legislature Online

    Signed by the Governor

  2. 2025-05-19 Texas Legislature Online

    Effective on 9/1/25

  3. 2025-05-07 Texas Legislature Online

    Signed in the Senate

  4. 2025-05-07 Texas Legislature Online

    Signed in the House

  5. 2025-05-07 Texas Legislature Online

    Sent to the Governor

  6. 2025-05-05 Texas Legislature Online

    House passage reported

  7. 2025-05-05 Texas Legislature Online

    Reported enrolled

  8. 2025-05-02 Texas Legislature Online

    Read 3rd time

  9. 2025-05-02 Texas Legislature Online

    Passed

  10. 2025-05-02 Texas Legislature Online

    Record vote. RV#1340

  11. 2025-05-02 Texas Legislature Online

    Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

  12. 2025-05-01 Texas Legislature Online

    Laid out in lieu of companion. HB 1971

  13. 2025-05-01 Texas Legislature Online

    Read 2nd time

  14. 2025-05-01 Texas Legislature Online

    Passed to 3rd reading

  15. 2025-05-01 Texas Legislature Online

    Record vote. RV#1152

  16. 2025-05-01 Texas Legislature Online

    Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

  17. 2025-04-29 Texas Legislature Online

    Committee report sent to Calendars

  18. 2025-04-28 Texas Legislature Online

    Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator

  19. 2025-04-28 Texas Legislature Online

    Committee report distributed

  20. 2025-04-24 Texas Legislature Online

    Considered in formal meeting

  21. 2025-04-24 Texas Legislature Online

    Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)

  22. 2025-04-17 Texas Legislature Online

    Read first time

  23. 2025-04-17 Texas Legislature Online

    Referred to Energy Resources

  24. 2025-04-07 Texas Legislature Online

    Received from the Senate

  25. 2025-04-03 Texas Legislature Online

    Co-author authorized

  26. 2025-04-03 Texas Legislature Online

    Rules suspended-Regular order of business

  27. 2025-04-03 Texas Legislature Online

    Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment

  28. 2025-04-03 Texas Legislature Online

    Vote recorded in Journal

  29. 2025-04-03 Texas Legislature Online

    Three day rule suspended

  30. 2025-04-03 Texas Legislature Online

    Record vote

  31. 2025-04-03 Texas Legislature Online

    Read 3rd time

  32. 2025-04-03 Texas Legislature Online

    Passed

  33. 2025-04-03 Texas Legislature Online

    Record vote

  34. 2025-04-03 Texas Legislature Online

    Reported engrossed

  35. 2025-04-02 Texas Legislature Online

    Placed on intent calendar

  36. 2025-03-27 Texas Legislature Online

    Reported favorably w/o amendments

  37. 2025-03-27 Texas Legislature Online

    Recommended for local & uncontested calendar

  38. 2025-03-27 Texas Legislature Online

    Committee report printed and distributed

  39. 2025-03-26 Texas Legislature Online

    Considered in public hearing

  40. 2025-03-26 Texas Legislature Online

    Vote taken in committee

  41. 2025-03-19 Texas Legislature Online

    Scheduled for public hearing on . . .

  42. 2025-03-19 Texas Legislature Online

    Considered in public hearing

  43. 2025-03-19 Texas Legislature Online

    Testimony taken in committee

  44. 2025-03-19 Texas Legislature Online

    Left pending in committee

  45. 2025-02-13 Texas Legislature Online

    Read first time

  46. 2025-02-13 Texas Legislature Online

    Referred to Natural Resources

  47. 2025-01-22 Texas Legislature Online

    Received by the Secretary of the Senate

  48. 2025-01-22 Texas Legislature Online

    Filed

Official Summary Text

Relating to an exemption for drillers or operators of closed-loop geothermal injection wells from certain requirements applicable to persons involved in activities under the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
89(R) SB 879 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

S.B. No. 879

AN ACT

relating to an exemption for drillers or operators of closed-loop

geothermal injection wells from certain requirements applicable to

persons involved in activities under the jurisdiction of the

Railroad Commission of Texas.

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

SECTION 1. Section 27.037, Water Code, is amended by adding

Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:

(c-1)

Sections 85.2021 and 91.142, Natural Resources Code,

do not apply to a person who submits a request for authorization or

is authorized to use a valid permit by rule issued by the railroad

commission under this section.

SECTION 2. Section 27.037, Water Code, as amended by this

Act, applies to a permit application or materially amended permit

application that is filed with the Railroad Commission of Texas on

or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

______________________________

______________________________

President of the Senate

Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 879 passed the Senate on

April 3, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________

Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 879 passed the House on

May 2, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 122, Nays 0, two present

not voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

______________________________

Date

______________________________

Governor