BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 1169 By: Raymond Energy Resources Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The bill author has informed the committee that Texas' oil and gas industry plays a major role in energy production and security, but its oil and gas infrastructure faces risks from severe weather events, security threats, and system failures, as evidenced by the impact of Winter Storm Uri in 2021, which surfaced vulnerabilities in Texas' energy infrastructure as freezing temperatures led to widespread power outages and disruptions in oil and gas production. The bill author has also informed the committee that the possibility of cybersecurity threats and terrorist attacks targeting critical energy infrastructure emphasizes the need for proactive security measures and that Texas does not currently have a comprehensive plan specifically dedicated to protecting oil and gas infrastructure from both natural and human-caused threats. H.B. 1169 seeks to provide for such a plan by requiring the Railroad Commission of Texas to develop and adopt a comprehensive plan to protect oil and gas infrastructure from natural disasters, severe weather, cybersecurity threats, and acts of terrorism. CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS H.B. 1169 amends the Natural Resources Code to require the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) to develop and adopt a comprehensive plan to protect the state's oil and gas infrastructure, including wellheads and pipelines, from the following: natural disasters; severe weather events; cybersecurity threats; acts of terrorism; widespread power outages; and other potential threats to the state's oil and gas infrastructure. The bill authorizes the RRC to seek input from stakeholders when developing the plan. The bill requires the RRC to adopt the initial plan not later than September 1, 2026, and to periodically update the plan. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
# BILL ANALYSIS
H.B. 1169
By: Raymond
Energy Resources
Committee Report (Unamended)
H.B. 1169
By: Raymond
Energy Resources
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The bill author has informed the committee that Texas' oil and gas industry plays a major role in energy production and security, but its oil and gas infrastructure faces risks from severe weather events, security threats, and system failures, as evidenced by the impact of Winter Storm Uri in 2021, which surfaced vulnerabilities in Texas' energy infrastructure as freezing temperatures led to widespread power outages and disruptions in oil and gas production. The bill author has also informed the committee that the possibility of cybersecurity threats and terrorist attacks targeting critical energy infrastructure emphasizes the need for proactive security measures and that Texas does not currently have a comprehensive plan specifically dedicated to protecting oil and gas infrastructure from both natural and human-caused threats. H.B. 1169 seeks to provide for such a plan by requiring the Railroad Commission of Texas to develop and adopt a comprehensive plan to protect oil and gas infrastructure from natural disasters, severe weather, cybersecurity threats, and acts of terrorism.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS H.B. 1169 amends the Natural Resources Code to require the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) to develop and adopt a comprehensive plan to protect the state's oil and gas infrastructure, including wellheads and pipelines, from the following: natural disasters; severe weather events; cybersecurity threats; acts of terrorism; widespread power outages; and other potential threats to the state's oil and gas infrastructure. The bill authorizes the RRC to seek input from stakeholders when developing the plan. The bill requires the RRC to adopt the initial plan not later than September 1, 2026, and to periodically update the plan.
EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2025.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The bill author has informed the committee that Texas' oil and gas industry plays a major role in energy production and security, but its oil and gas infrastructure faces risks from severe weather events, security threats, and system failures, as evidenced by the impact of Winter Storm Uri in 2021, which surfaced vulnerabilities in Texas' energy infrastructure as freezing temperatures led to widespread power outages and disruptions in oil and gas production. The bill author has also informed the committee that the possibility of cybersecurity threats and terrorist attacks targeting critical energy infrastructure emphasizes the need for proactive security measures and that Texas does not currently have a comprehensive plan specifically dedicated to protecting oil and gas infrastructure from both natural and human-caused threats. H.B. 1169 seeks to provide for such a plan by requiring the Railroad Commission of Texas to develop and adopt a comprehensive plan to protect oil and gas infrastructure from natural disasters, severe weather, cybersecurity threats, and acts of terrorism.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
H.B. 1169 amends the Natural Resources Code to require the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) to develop and adopt a comprehensive plan to protect the state's oil and gas infrastructure, including wellheads and pipelines, from the following:
natural disasters;
severe weather events;
cybersecurity threats;
acts of terrorism;
widespread power outages; and
other potential threats to the state's oil and gas infrastructure.
The bill authorizes the RRC to seek input from stakeholders when developing the plan. The bill requires the RRC to adopt the initial plan not later than September 1, 2026, and to periodically update the plan.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2025.