Texas Lawmakers Advance Power, Water Infrastructure Bills

The Texas House has advanced two major bills to bolster the state's power grid and water infrastructure in response to rapid population growth and ongoing drought. Senate Bill 6 enhances regulatory oversight of electric generation and transmission, empowers ERCOT to reduce widespread outages, and mandates backup systems for operations such as data centers. Senate Bill 7, approved with near-unanimous support, expands eligibility for water project funding and increases oversight of the Texas Water Fund. If paired with House Joint Resolution 7 and approved by voters, SB 7 could authorize $1 billion in annual funding for water infrastructure projects over the next decade. Disagreements remain between the House and Senate on how to allocate funds, but both bills are priorities for Governor Greg Abbott and are expected to become law after legislative and voter approval. These measures aim to address aging infrastructure and ensure Texas can meet future demand.