HB 1501

AN ACT relating to a study of the feasibility of using seawater

House Bill Tinderholt
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Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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What This Bill Does

Directs the Texas State University Meadows Center to conduct a comprehensive study on seawater desalination feasibility along the Gulf Coast. The study will research international desalination practices, identify best practices and potential challenges, and explore environmentally sensitive methods for disposing of brine concentrate, including potential applications in nuclear energy production. By January 1, 2027, the center must report its findings to state leadership, providing insights that could help Texas address water scarcity challenges through innovative desalination technologies.

Subject Areas

Bill Text

relating to a study of the feasibility of using seawater
desalination processes in Texas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  DEFINITION.  In this Act, "center" means the
Texas State University Meadows Center for Water and the
SECTION 2.  STUDY.  (a)  The center shall conduct a study
evaluating the ways in which this state can incentivize the
creation of seawater desalination plants along the Gulf Coast.
(b)  In conducting the study, the center shall:
(1)  research international desalination plants,
including plants located in Israel and Australia, and identify best
practices used and potential issues encountered by international
desalination plants, including any financial barriers to the
development and operation of a desalination plant; and
(2)  include findings on the most environmentally
sensitive and cost-effective methods of disposing of brine
concentrate, including the potential for using brine concentrate in
the production of nuclear energy.
SECTION 3.  REPORT.  Not later than January 1, 2027, the
center shall report the results of the study conducted under this
Act to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the
house of representatives, and the standing committees of the senate
and the house of representatives that have jurisdiction over
SECTION 4.  EXPIRATION.  This Act expires February 1, 2027.
SECTION 5.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect September

Bill Sponsors

Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.

Bill History

filed

Bill filed: AN ACT relating to a study of the feasibility of using seawater