Monitoring the Session

HB 2890

Patterson Gas Compact Bill Lets The Governor Act, No Deadline

Became law

Verdict: Smells

SmellsNeeds review
Rep. Jared PattersonRHouse 106
Why it's charged
List of feelings

THE TEXT

…“the governor may develop and execute an”…

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The only operative grant is permissive, and the 'must' terms in Sec. 760.003 bind only a compact the governor chooses to make. The author's statement says the bill is 'requiring' the governor to act, but the text creates no deadline, no penalty and no duty to act.

List of feelings

Needs review · Nov 1, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to an interstate compact for the liquefied natural gas industry.

Caption from analyzed text · version E.

Summary

The governor “may.” No deadline, no penalty, no duty. Nothing changes unless the governor acts.

The bill lets the governor write and sign an agreement with other Gulf Coast states about the liquefied natural gas industry. It touches the governor's office and any Gulf state that chooses to join. Nothing changes unless the governor decides to act, and if a deal is made it must cover shared information, resources and services to grow the industry.

Labels

Labels: INSTANT LAW. Took effect immediately, on May 28, 2025. 833 of the 1,185 graded 89R laws took effect Sep 1, 2025 (derived from the bill histories, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).ACROSS THE AISLE. Joint authors: 4 Republicans, 1 Democrat. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB2890 · 2025-02-14

SOLD BY

Rep. Jared PattersonRHouse 106 Rep. Dade PhelanRHouse 21 Rep. Tom CraddickRHouse 82

+ 2 more authors, 2 coauthors

ITEM

relating to an interstate compact for the liquefied natural gas industry.

WHAT IT DOES

The governor “may.” No deadline, no penalty, no duty. Nothing changes unless the governor acts.

The bill lets the governor write and sign an agreement with other Gulf Coast states about the liquefied natural gas industry. It touches the governor's office and any Gulf state that chooses to join. Nothing changes unless the governor decides to act, and if a deal is made it must cover shared information, resources and services to grow the industry.

CHARGES

[x] LIST OF FEELINGSanalysis confidence 60%

THE TEXT

…“the governor may develop and execute an”…

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The only operative grant is permissive, and the 'must' terms in Sec. 760.003 bind only a compact the governor chooses to make. The author's statement says the bill is 'requiring' the governor to act, but the text creates no deadline, no penalty and no duty to act.

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 5, 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 Energy Resources
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  7. Left pending in committee
  8. Considered in formal meeting
  9. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  10. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  11. Committee report distributed
  12. Committee report sent to Calendars
  13. Considered in Calendars
  14. Placed on General State Calendar
  15. Read 2nd time
  16. Passed to engrossment
  17. Record vote RV#344
  18. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  19. Read 3rd time
  20. Amended 1-Patterson
  21. Record vote RV#393
  22. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  23. Passed as amended
  24. Record vote RV#394
  25. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  26. Reported engrossed
  27. Received from the House
  28. Read first time
  29. Referred to Natural Resources
  30. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  31. Considered in public hearing
  32. Left pending in committee
  33. Posting rule suspended
  34. Considered in public hearing
  35. Vote taken in committee
  36. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  37. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  38. Committee report printed and distributed
  39. Placed on intent calendar
  40. Co-sponsor authorized
  41. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  42. Laid before the Senate
  43. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  44. Vote recorded in Journal
  45. Three day rule suspended
  46. Record vote
  47. Read 3rd time
  48. Passed
  49. Record vote
  50. Senate passage reported
  51. Reported enrolled
  52. Signed in the House
  53. Signed in the Senate
  54. Sent to the Governor
  55. Signed by the Governor
  56. Effective immediately
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 137 yea · 9 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · Apr 23, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 14, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Jared Patterson

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$133KTexas Sands PAC$85KTexas Conservative Majority PAC$58K

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$132,750.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$132,750.00

Cash
$100,000.00
Paid by others
$32,750.00
Total
$132,750.00
polling $32,750.00

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 25, 2025 to Oct 7, 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: 100996442, 101018590, 101035748, 101067950, 101072483.

Texas Sands PAC$84,800.00

Texas Sands PAC

$84,800.00

Cash
$68,000.00
Paid by others
$16,800.00
Total
$84,800.00
polling $16,800.00

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 4, 2024 to Oct 15, 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: 100976997, 101018590, 101035748, 101072483.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$57,950.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$57,950.00

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$57,950.00
Total
$57,950.00
canvassing $35,000.00polling $22,950.00

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 12, 2026 to Sep 22, 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: 101035748, 101067950.

Money

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

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$132,750.00

Cash
$100,000.00
Paid by others
$32,750.00
Total
$132,750.00
polling $32,750.00

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 25, 2025 to Oct 7, 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: 100996442, 101018590, 101035748, 101067950, 101072483.

×

Texas Sands PAC

$84,800.00

Cash
$68,000.00
Paid by others
$16,800.00
Total
$84,800.00
polling $16,800.00

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 4, 2024 to Oct 15, 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: 100976997, 101018590, 101035748, 101072483.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$57,950.00

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$57,950.00
Total
$57,950.00
canvassing $35,000.00polling $22,950.00

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 12, 2026 to Sep 22, 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: 101035748, 101067950.

Votes6

Senate May 14, 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 2890 (Parker) Relating to an interstate compact for the liquefied natural gas industry. (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 14, 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 2890 (Parker) Relating to an interstate compact for the liquefied natural gas industry. (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 14, 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 2890 (Parker) Relating to an interstate compact for the liquefied natural gas industry. (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 Apr 23, 2025

Yea
137
Nay
9
Present, not voting
2
Absent
2
Excused
0
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 394

HB 2890, as amended, was passed by (Record 394): 137 Yeas, 9 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 137 (published)
  • Nay: 9 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

House Apr 23, 2025

Yea
145
Nay
2
Present, not voting
2
Absent
1
Excused
0
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 393

Amendment No. 1 was adopted by (Record 393): 145 Yeas, 2 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 145 (published)
  • Nay: 2 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

House Apr 22, 2025

Yea
140
Nay
6
Present, not voting
1
Absent
2
Excused
1
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 344

HB 2890 was passed to engrossment by (Record 344): 140 Yeas, 6 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 140 (published)
  • Nay: 6 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses24
For
14
Against
8
On
2
Names

For

  • BP1 registration
  • Cheniere Energy Inc1 registration
  • Fasken Oil and Ranch1 registration
  • Freeport LNG1 registration
  • Panhandle Producers and Royalty Owners Assoc.1 registration
  • Permian Basin Petroleum Association1 registration
  • Texas Association of Business2 registrations
  • Texas Association of Manufacturers2 registrations
  • Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO)2 registrations
  • Texas Oil and Gas Association1 registration
  • TXOGA1 registration

Against

  • Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club1 registration
  • Self6 registrations
  • Self; Public Citizen1 registration

On

  • Office of the Attorney General1 registration
  • Texas General Land Office1 registration
Sources

24 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 5, 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 E by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Feb 14, 2025

05/28/2025 E Effective immediately

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

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 1:46 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Terri Leo WilsonRHouse 23 Eddie MoralesDHouse 74
Sponsors
Tan ParkerRSenate 12
Cosponsors
Brandon CreightonRSenate 4

House committee · Energy Resources · Committee vote 11 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Senate committee · Natural Resources · Committee vote 9 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Subjects

GULF OF AMERICA (GL83V)

Economic & Industrial Development--General

Governor

Intergovernmental Relations

Oil & Gas

Utilities--Natural Gas

Water--Navigation & Ports

Text

The text as introduced · 256 words

89R14233 JAM-D

By: Patterson
H.B. No. 2890

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an interstate compact for the liquefied natural gas

industry.

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

SECTION 1. Title 7, Government Code, is amended by adding

Chapter 760 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 760. GULF STATES LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY COMPACT

Sec. 760.001. AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP AND EXECUTE COMPACT. On

behalf of this state, the governor shall develop and execute an

interstate compact for the liquefied natural gas industry among

states that border the Gulf of America.

Sec. 760.002. CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED. (a) It

is the intent of the legislature that the compact developed and

executed under this chapter not require congressional approval.

(b) The compact may not increase the political power of the

compacting states in relation to the federal government.

Sec. 760.003. INTERSTATE COMPACT PROVISIONS. The compact

authorized by this chapter must provide for joint action among

compacting states on matters that include sharing information,

resources, and services to:

(1) protect and grow the liquefied natural gas

industry along the gulf coast; and

(2) improve coordination to increase the overall

effectiveness and efficiency of the liquefied natural gas industry

along the gulf coast.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.