All Roll Calls
Yes: 448 • No: 48
TexasHB 1489th Legislature Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Relating to support for the development of the nuclear energy industry.
Sponsored By: Cody Harris, Charles Schwertner (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Energy--NuclearGovernorInterim StudiesLabor--Workforce DevelopmentOccupational Regulation--Other Trades & ProfessionsOpen RecordsState Agencies, Boards & Commissions--Newly ProposedState Finances--Management & ControlUtilities--ElectricUtilities--GeneralPERMITSADVANCED NUCLEAR ENERGY OFFICE, TEXASHIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD, TEXASPUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSIONTEXAS ADVANCED NUCLEAR DEPLOYMENT OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Nuclear builders get grants with funding limits
The law creates construction reimbursements for advanced nuclear projects in Texas, including federal reviews, long-lead components, manufacturing, installation, and testing. Each project can receive the lesser of 50% of qualifying costs or $120 million. Applicants that already received state-appropriated money for an advanced nuclear reactor are ineligible. The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission must formally accept a construction permit or license application before a grant is provided. Payments roll out with permitting milestones and investment decisions, within an 80% share of the two main programs’ two-year appropriations.
Texas creates office to support nuclear projects
Beginning September 1, 2025, the law creates the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office within the Governor’s office. It supports advanced reactors, supply chains, high-wage manufacturing jobs, public outreach, and planning to address financial and regulatory barriers. The Governor appoints a director with advanced nuclear experience, executive skills, and no significant conflicts of interest. The director manages staff and standards and submits a strategic plan by December 1 of each even-numbered year. With utility regulators and other state agencies, the office must study needed state oversight of nuclear facilities. Its report is due December 1, 2026; the study requirement expires August 31, 2027. The director can hire a coordinator to help businesses identify sites and navigate local, state, and federal permits. That help must be equally available, and records of the coordinator’s work must be available on request. The office cannot require a project to use a specific location. Unless continued after Texas Sunset Act review, the office and its governing chapter end September 1, 2035.
Completed nuclear reactors qualify for grid bonuses
The law creates completion bonuses for operating advanced nuclear reactors in Texas connected to the ERCOT power grid. The nuclear office must consult the Public Utility Commission and set grant amounts per megawatt of reactor capacity. It must also set award procedures and tiers based on megawatts delivered to ERCOT. The law specifies no per-megawatt rate or dollar cap; the program supports electricity supply rather than paying households directly.
Nuclear developers get capped early-stage grants
The law creates reimbursement grants for early development and supply-chain work on advanced nuclear projects in Texas. Eligible costs include technology, feasibility studies, site work, engineering, permits, federal licensing fees, manufacturing readiness, and fuel processing or fabrication. Each project can receive the lesser of 50% of qualifying costs or $12.5 million. Applicants that already received state-appropriated money for an advanced nuclear reactor are ineligible. This program’s payments cannot exceed 20% of appropriations for the two main grant programs in each two-year state budget period.
Nuclear fund adds safeguards and application secrecy
A dedicated state fund supports nuclear grants and reasonable office staff costs using legislative funding, gifts, grants, and donations. Eligible recipients include businesses, nonprofits, government bodies, and colleges. Implementation requires money specifically appropriated for this purpose; the law specifies no total funding amount. All grants reimburse documented costs already paid from recipients’ own funds, excluding costs covered earlier or later by public aid. Applicants must report other assistance requested or received, and written agreements tie payments to milestones and require repayment for missed benchmarks. Reviews consider management, efficiency, land, water, infrastructure, permitting progress, repayment ability, and benefits to Texas. Before any award, the office must notify the lieutenant governor and House speaker. Both leaders can block approval through written disapproval within 30 days; written notice can extend review by up to 14 days. Application information is confidential under state public-records law, protecting applicants but limiting public access. The office cannot accept gifts, grants, or loans from applicants or beneficiaries, or enter contracts with them.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Cody Harris
House
Charles Schwertner
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Daniel Alders
House
Cecil Bell Jr.
House
Greg Bonnen
House
Brad Buckley
House
Benjamin Bumgarner
House
Briscoe Cain
House
Charles Cunningham
House
Mano DeAyala
House
Jay Dean
House
Cassandra Garcia Hernandez
House
Stan Gerdes
House
Brent Hagenbuch
Republican • Senate
Richard Hayes
House
Cole Hefner
House
Hillary Hickland
House
Adam Hinojosa
Republican • Senate
Carrie Isaac
House
Stan Kitzman
House
Suleman Lalani
House
Stan Lambert
House
Terri Leo Wilson
House
Janie Lopez
House
Ray Lopez
House
John Lujan
House
Don McLaughlin
House
Will Metcalf
House
Eddie Morales
House
Candy Noble
House
Angelia Orr
House
Tan Parker
Republican • Senate
Charles Perry
Republican • Senate
Mihaela Plesa
House
Richard Peña Raymond
House
Keresa Richardson
House
Alan Schoolcraft
House
Joanne Shofner
House
David Spiller
House
Cody Vasut
House
Denise Villalobos
House
Trey Wharton
House
Terry M. Wilson
House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/30/2025
Record vote
Yes: 118 • No: 6
Senate vote • 5/28/2025
Record vote
Yes: 26 • No: 5
Senate vote • 5/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 26 • No: 5
Senate vote • 5/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2025
Record vote
Yes: 134 • No: 9
House vote • 4/22/2025
Record vote
Yes: 125 • No: 21
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Business & Commerce
Yes: 9 • No: 1 • Other: 1
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: State Affairs
Yes: 10 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Effective on 9/1/25
6/20/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
6/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
6/2/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
6/1/2025SenateSigned in the House
6/1/2025HouseReported enrolled
5/31/2025HouseHouse concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
5/30/2025SenateText of Senate Amendment(s)
5/30/2025HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
5/30/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#4096)
5/30/2025HouseHouse concurs in Senate amendment(s)
5/30/2025HouseSenate Amendments Analysis distributed
5/29/2025HouseSenate Amendments distributed
5/29/2025HouseSenate passage as amended reported
5/29/2025HouseCo-sponsor authorized
5/29/2025SenateRecord vote
5/28/2025SenatePassed as amended
5/28/2025SenateVote recorded in Journal
5/28/2025SenateAmended
5/28/2025SenateAmendment(s) offered (FA1 Schwertner)
5/28/2025SenateVote reconsidered
5/28/2025SenateReturned from the House for further action
5/28/2025SenateReturned to the Senate for further action (SCR 53)
5/28/2025HouseSenate passage as amended reported
5/28/2025HouseRecord vote
5/27/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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