Texas · Senate Bill 879 · 89th Legislature, Regular Session

Relating to an exemption for drillers or operators of closed-loop geothermal injection wells from certain requirements applicable to persons involved…

SB 879 Sponsored by Brian Birdwell Became law

  1. Introduced Jan 22, 2025
  2. In committee Feb 13, 2025
  3. Passed the Senate Apr 3, 2025
  4. Passed the House May 2, 2025
  5. To the governor May 7, 2025
  6. Became law May 19, 2025

What it does

The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.

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.

Every action

48 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

Show the 40 earlier steps
  1. SenateReceived by the Secretary of the Senate
  2. SenateFiled
  3. SenateRead first time
  4. CommitteeReferred to Natural Resources · Senate Natural Resources
  5. CommitteeScheduled for public hearing on . . . · Senate Natural Resources
  6. CommitteeConsidered in public hearing · Senate Natural Resources
  7. CommitteeTestimony taken in committee · Senate Natural Resources
  8. CommitteeLeft pending in committee · Senate Natural Resources
  9. CommitteeConsidered in public hearing · Senate Natural Resources
  10. CommitteeVote taken in committee · Senate Natural Resources
  11. CommitteeReported favorably w/o amendments · Senate Natural Resources
  12. SenateRecommended for local & uncontested calendar
  13. SenateCommittee report printed and distributed
  14. SenatePlaced on intent calendar
  15. SenateCo-author authorized
  16. SenateRules suspended-Regular order of business
  17. SenateRead 2nd time & passed to engrossment
  18. SenateVote recorded in Journal
  19. SenateThree day rule suspended
  20. SenateRecord vote
  21. SenateRead 3rd time
  22. SenatePassed
  23. SenateRecord vote
  24. SenateReported engrossed
  25. HouseReceived from the Senate
  26. HouseRead first time
  27. HouseReferred to Energy Resources
  28. CommitteeConsidered in formal meeting · House Energy Resources
  29. CommitteeReported favorably w/o amendment(s) · House Energy Resources
  30. HouseComte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  31. HouseCommittee report distributed
  32. HouseCommittee report sent to Calendars
  33. HouseLaid out in lieu of companion (HB 1971)
  34. HouseRead 2nd time
  35. HousePassed to 3rd reading
  36. HouseRecord vote (RV#1152)
  37. HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  38. HouseRead 3rd time
  39. HousePassed
  40. HouseRecord vote (RV#1340)
  1. HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  2. SenateHouse passage reported
  3. SenateReported enrolled
  4. SenateSigned in the Senate
  5. HouseSigned in the House
  6. GovernorSent to the Governor
  7. GovernorSigned by the Governor
  8. GovernorEffective on 9/1/25

Roll calls

6 recorded votes: 4 on the floor, 2 in committee. Each shows how every member voted.

Senator Birdwell moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 879 be placed on its third reading and final passage. — The motion prevailed · Full Senate

Passed 31–0
Apr 3, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 31 No 0
Democrats: 11 yes, 0 no Republicans: 20 yes, 0 no
How each member voted

Yes · 31

The bill was read third time and was passed · Full Senate

Passed 31–0
Apr 3, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 31 No 0
Democrats: 11 yes, 0 no Republicans: 20 yes, 0 no
How each member voted

Yes · 31

SB 879 was read second time and was passed to third reading · Full House

Passed 141–0
May 1, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 141 No 0 Not voting 9
Democrats: 59 yes, 0 no Republicans: 82 yes, 0 no
How each member voted

Yes · 141

Not voting · 1

Absent · 5

Excused · 3

SB 879 was passed · Full House

Passed 122–0
May 2, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 122 No 0 Not voting 28
Democrats: 50 yes, 0 no Republicans: 72 yes, 0 no
How each member voted

Yes · 122

Not voting · 2

Absent · 4

Excused · 22

Committee and other votes

DateWhereQuestionResult
Mar 27, 2025 Senate Natural Resources Natural Resources: Reported favorably w/o amendments Passed 8–0
Apr 24, 2025 House Energy Resources Energy Resources: Reported favorably w/o amendment(s) Passed 10–0

Sponsors

The member who introduced it, joined by 1 cosponsor: 1 Democrat.

All 1 cosponsor

From Texas's official records (ftp.legis.state.tx.us), checked Nov 1, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.