Monitoring the Session

HB 2686

frac tanks get plates that never expire

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Jay DeanRHouse 7

Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the registration of frac tanks.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

No yearly registration sticker for the giant oil field tanks.

The bill tells the state motor vehicle department to issue a special license plate for frac tanks, the large holding tanks used in oil and gas fracturing, that never expires and needs no yearly registration sticker. It touches owners and operators of frac tanks in the oil and gas field. On the ground, these tanks can keep the same plate until they are sold or taken out of service, and they no longer need to carry the registration receipt the law otherwise requires.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB2686 · 2025-02-11

SOLD BY

Rep. Jay DeanRHouse 7

ITEM

relating to the registration of frac tanks.

WHAT IT DOES

No yearly registration sticker for the giant oil field tanks.

The bill tells the state motor vehicle department to issue a special license plate for frac tanks, the large holding tanks used in oil and gas fracturing, that never expires and needs no yearly registration sticker. It touches owners and operators of frac tanks in the oil and gas field. On the ground, these tanks can keep the same plate until they are sold or taken out of service, and they no longer need to carry the registration receipt the law otherwise requires.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 21, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to Transportation
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Committee substitute considered in committee
  7. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  8. Left pending in committee
  9. Considered in formal meeting
  10. Committee substitute considered in committee
  11. Reported favorably as substituted
  12. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  13. Committee report distributed
  14. Committee report sent to Calendars
  15. Considered in Calendars
  16. Placed on General State Calendar
  17. Read 2nd time
  18. Passed to engrossment
  19. Record vote RV#1977
  20. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  21. Read 3rd time
  22. Passed
  23. Record vote RV#2055
  24. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  25. Reported engrossed
  26. Received from the House
  27. Read first time
  28. Referred to Transportation
  29. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  30. Considered in public hearing
  31. Vote taken in committee
  32. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  33. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  34. Committee report printed and distributed
  35. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  36. Placed on intent calendar
  37. Laid before the Senate
  38. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  39. Vote recorded in Journal
  40. Three day rule suspended
  41. Record vote
  42. Read 3rd time
  43. Passed
  44. Record vote
  45. Senate passage reported
  46. Reported enrolled
  47. Signed in the House
  48. Signed in the Senate
  49. Sent to the Governor
  50. Signed by the Governor
  51. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 117 yea · 12 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 10, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 28, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Jay Dean

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$74KTexas Conservative Majority PAC$47KTexas Sands PAC$42K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$74,300.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$74,300.00

Cash
$65,000.00
Paid by others
$9,300.00
Total
$74,300.00
polling $9,300.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 19, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101007728, 101025857, 101035931, 101070129.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$46,524.22

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$46,524.22

Cash
$566.02
Paid by others
$45,958.20
Total
$46,524.22
canvassing $42,750.00printing $3,208.20

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 17, 2026 to Feb 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101036566.

Texas Sands PAC$42,166.67

Texas Sands PAC

$42,166.67

Cash
$37,500.00
Paid by others
$4,666.67
Total
$42,166.67
polling $4,666.67

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989410, 101025857, 101036566, 101070129.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$74,300.00

Cash
$65,000.00
Paid by others
$9,300.00
Total
$74,300.00
polling $9,300.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 19, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101007728, 101025857, 101035931, 101070129.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$46,524.22

Cash
$566.02
Paid by others
$45,958.20
Total
$46,524.22
canvassing $42,750.00printing $3,208.20

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 17, 2026 to Feb 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101036566.

×

Texas Sands PAC

$42,166.67

Cash
$37,500.00
Paid by others
$4,666.67
Total
$42,166.67
polling $4,666.67

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989410, 101025857, 101036566, 101070129.

Votes5

Senate May 28, 2025

Final passage

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records final passage. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

HB 2686 (King) Relating to the registration of frac tanks; authorizing a fee. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Suspension of the three-day rule

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records suspension of the three-day rule. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

HB 2686 (King) Relating to the registration of frac tanks; authorizing a fee. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Passage to third reading

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records passage to third reading. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

HB 2686 (King) Relating to the registration of frac tanks; authorizing a fee. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: Not printed
  • Nay: Not printed
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 10, 2025

Yea
117
Nay
12
Present, not voting
2
Absent
2
Excused
17
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2055

HB 2686 was passed by (Record 2055): 117 Yeas, 12 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 117 (published)
  • Nay: 12 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 17 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 9, 2025

Yea
133
Nay
3
Present, not voting
3
Absent
5
Excused
6
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 1977

CSHB 2686 was passed to engrossment by (Record 1977): 133 Yeas, 3 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 133 (published)
  • Nay: 3 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses3
For
0
Against
1
On
2
Names

Against

  • Self1 registration

On

  • Texas Department of Motor Vehicles2 registrations
Sources

3 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 21, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Feb 11, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors
Phil KingRSenate 10

House committee · Transportation · Committee vote 12 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Transportation · Committee vote 5 aye, 0 nay, 4 absent · Out of committee

Subjects

Oil & Gas

Vehicles & Traffic--Vehicle Registration

LICENSE PLATES

MOTOR VEHICLES, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF

Text

The text as introduced · 189 words

89R9150 CXP-F

By: Dean
H.B. No. 2686

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the registration of frac tanks.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 502.146, Transportation Code, is amended

by adding Subsection (i) to read as follows:

(i) The department shall issue a distinguishing license

plate under this section for a frac tank that does not expire or

require an annual registration insignia to be valid. The

alphanumeric pattern for a license plate issued under this

subsection may remain on a frac tank for as long as the license

plate for the frac tank is renewed or until the frac tank is removed

from service or sold. The registration receipt required under

Section 621.002 is not required for a frac tank that displays a

license plate issued under this subsection. For purposes of this

subsection, "frac tank" means a portable or stationary high-volume

holding vessel designed and constructed for use in separating,

storing, or temporarily holding materials used in or resulting from

fracturing techniques in oil and gas exploration.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.