New 89th Legislative Session Report
We are excited to release our Texas Energy & Climate Caucus Report on the 89th Legislative Session. Before we jump into the upcoming Special Session, we’ve reflected on the outstanding successes of the 89th legislature and our members in advancing critical policies that elevate Texas' energy ecosystem.
The 89th Legislative Session reaffirmed Texas’ energy leadership with a suite of bills addressing the electric grid, emerging technologies, global competitiveness, energy-water infrastructure resilience, and consumer protection. Our nearly sixty lawmakers across the legislature facilitated and progressed key policies in support of our core legislative priorities. At the heart of this effort was our ten-member Bipartisan Policy Committee. After reviewing dozens of bills throughout the session, our Committee consistently achieved unified consensus to establish official vote recommendations for our entire membership.
Our members in both the House and Senate took up the issue of grid reliability, demonstrating that it has become a foundational priority in Texas’ energy system. We passed numerous policies to modernize Texas’ electric grid, focusing on strengthening transmission infrastructure, closing regulatory gaps, battery storage, and energy waste reduction.
Several of our members successfully advanced policies to support clean energy technologies and innovation. We accomplished significant steps in streamlining permitting processes and workforce development for nuclear and geothermal energy. Additionally, the Legislature enacted policies to enhance industry responsibility and a commitment to stewardship. Successful policies emphasized orphaned well remediation, regulatory oversight, and investment into critical infrastructure and market stability.
Our legislators also passed bills addressing longstanding challenges and vulnerabilities at the energy-water nexus, specifically produced water reuse and drought protection. While numerous Senate bills succeeded in promoting transparency and greater oversight for consumer rates. These laws will regulate residential solar sales and reform standards to protect homeowners’ power installations.
All of our members went above and beyond to safeguard Texas’ energy landscape in the 89th session. We would like to highlight some members who put extraordinary effort into promoting these legislative priorities: Rep. Ken King, Rep. Bobby Guerra, Rep. Drew Darby, and Dean Sen. Judith Zaffirini.
Our Caucus is looking ahead to future sessions and interim periods when we will continue engaging our members and staffers at the forefront of energy innovation and leadership. Unfortunately, this session fell short on several missed opportunities, including stalled policies promoting transmission planning, energy efficiency, or diversification. However, we aim to prepare and support the educated policies that Texans and our energy ecosystem deserve for the next legislative session.
We invite you to stay engaged with us in the upcoming 89(1) special session, beginning on July 21st, and renew your biennium membership with us in the 2027 Legislative Session.
Our legislators, staffers, industry partners, or sponsors, all play an essential role in fulfilling Texas’ energy, environmental, and economic potential. We thank you for your tireless effort this session to positively impact and progress our energy landscape.
