HB 329 — The establishment of the Texas geothermal energy product

90R4314 CMO-D By: Garcia of Bexar H.B. No. 329 relating to the establishment of the Texas geothermal energy production policy council.

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 Office of Geothermal 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, 2034.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.