HB 3083

Lopez’s Nuclear Study Grant Needs Over 75 Years Of Research

Died in committee

Verdict: Smells

SmellsInitial review

Rep. Ray LopezDHouse 125

All 3 charges, and why

Study, task force, commission, report

THE TEXT

…“provide a one-time grant to one qualified independent entity to conduct a study on the effectiveness of mini nuclear reactors”…

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The bill's only action is paying for a study, and any real policy on small reactors waits for the report and later legislation. The caption honestly says it is a study.

Study, task force, commission, report

Carve-out

THE TEXT

“(2) has conducted research for over 75 years;”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

Combined with the Texas headquarters and existing nuclear program rules, this age test narrows the 'independent entity' to a tiny pool and possibly one recipient. The grant goes to a uniquely described nonprofit rather than through an open process.

Carve-out

Delayed start

THE TEXT

“Not later than December 1, 2026, the commission shall”…

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The only firm duty, the report, comes due after the November 3, 2026 election. The section then expires in 2027.

Delayed start

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 an independent study on the effectiveness and feasibility of mini nuclear reactors.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

One grant for one nonprofit with over 75 years of research. Report due after the election.

The bill lets the Public Utility Commission give a one-time grant from an existing fund, with no new appropriation, to one nonprofit to study whether mini nuclear reactors work and could power Texas. The eligibility rules are tight: the nonprofit must be headquartered in Texas, have done research for over 75 years, and already run a nuclear research or testing program. The commission must report the results and its recommendations to state leaders by December 1, 2026, and the section expires August 31, 2027.

Labels

Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Feb 20, 2025 and referred to the House State Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB3083 · 2025-02-20

SOLD BY

Rep. Ray LopezDHouse 125

ITEM

relating to an independent study on the effectiveness and feasibility of mini nuclear reactors.

WHAT IT DOES

One grant for one nonprofit with over 75 years of research. Report due after the election.

CHARGES

[x] STUDY, TASK FORCE, COMMISSION, REPORTanalysis confidence 60%

THE TEXT

…“provide a one-time grant to one qualified independent entity to conduct a study on the effectiveness of mini nuclear reactors”…

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The bill's only action is paying for a study, and any real policy on small reactors waits for the report and later legislation. The caption honestly says it is a study.

[x] CARVE-OUTanalysis confidence 65%

THE TEXT

“(2) has conducted research for over 75 years;”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

[x] DELAYED STARTanalysis confidence 40%

THE TEXT

“Not later than December 1, 2026, the commission shall”…

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The only firm duty, the report, comes due after the November 3, 2026 election. The section then expires in 2027.

TOTAL

No fiscal note in the loaded record.

HISTORY

Feb 20, 2025Filed
Mar 20, 2025Read first time
Mar 20, 2025Referred to State Affairs

FILED UNDER

TAXPAYER-FUNDED NGOS

THE TEXT

“The independent entity must be a nonprofit corporation”…

Bill text, introduced version (I)

State fund money is routed to a nonprofit to do the study instead of an agency doing it.

GOVERNMENT GROWTH UNDER A CONSERVATIVE BANNER

THE TEXT

…“provide a one-time grant to one qualified independent entity to conduct a study”…

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The bill authorizes a state-funded outside study contract.

DATA CENTERS, WATER AND THE GRID

THE TEXT

…“the feasibility of using mini nuclear reactors to generate power in this state”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The study looks at small nuclear reactors as a source of power for the Texas grid.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Ray Lopez

Donors

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$5K Texas Sands PAC$4K Valero Energy Corporation PAC$3K

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 · Jul 5, 2024 to May 29, 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.

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$5,000.00

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$5,000.00

Cash: $5,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $5,000.00

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Jul 18, 2025. 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: 100987088, 101031958.

Texas Sands PAC$4,000.00

Texas Sands PAC

$4,000.00

Cash: $4,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $4,000.00

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 · on Oct 23, 2024. 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: 100987088.

Valero Energy Corporation PAC$3,000.00

Valero Energy Corporation PAC

$3,000.00

Cash: $3,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $3,000.00

Also funds 94 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 25, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Jul 9, 2025. 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: 100987088, 101031958.

Money

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

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$5,000.00

Cash: $5,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $5,000.00

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Jul 18, 2025. 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: 100987088, 101031958.

Texas Sands PAC

$4,000.00

Cash: $4,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $4,000.00

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 · on Oct 23, 2024. 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: 100987088.

Valero Energy Corporation PAC

$3,000.00

Cash: $3,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $3,000.00

Also funds 94 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 25, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Jul 9, 2025. 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: 100987088, 101031958.

Votes

No floor vote loaded for this bill.

Fiscal

No fiscal note in the loaded record.

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 20, 2025

03/20/2025 H Referred to State Affairs: Mar 20 2025 11:50AM

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

House committee · State Affairs · Final status: Died in committee

Subjects

Energy--General

Energy--Nuclear

Interim Studies

Science & Technology

Utilities--General

PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION

Text

The text as introduced · 235 words

89R7939 CS-D

By: Lopez of Bexar
H.B. No. 3083

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an independent study on the effectiveness and

feasibility of mini nuclear reactors.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 34, Utilities Code, is

amended by adding Section 34.0111 to read as follows:

Sec. 34.0111. INDEPENDENT STUDY ON MINI NUCLEAR REACTORS.

(a) The commission may, using money available in the fund without

further appropriation, provide a one-time grant to one qualified

independent entity to conduct a study on the effectiveness of mini

nuclear reactors and the feasibility of using mini nuclear reactors

to generate power in this state.

(b) The independent entity must be a nonprofit corporation

that:

(1) is headquartered in this state;

(2) has conducted research for over 75 years;

(3) has a mission that benefits government, industry,

and the public through the research of innovative science and

technology; and

(4) has an established nuclear research or testing

program before the grant is approved.

(c) Not later than December 1, 2026, the commission shall

submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of

the house of representatives a report that includes the results of

the study and the commission's recommendations for legislative or

other action based on the study.

(d) This section expires August 31, 2027.

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