Monitoring the Session

HB 3556

Vasut Bill Lets Wildlife Department Fight Builds Over 500 Feet

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: Smells

SmellsNeeds review
Rep. Cody VasutRHouse 25
Why it's charged
Bracket bill

THE TEXT

…“applies only in a county that has a population of less than 500,000”…

Bill text, introduced version (I)

A population cap stacked on Gulf-border and refuge requirements narrows the rule to a small set of coastal counties and their neighbors. The caption already signals a narrow, refuge-focused scope, so the bracket only partly disguises the reach.

Bracket bill

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 certain structures located near a National Wildlife Refuge.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Gulf counties under 500,000 with a refuge, plus neighbors. Department sits out 90 days? Build away.

The bill requires anyone planning to build a structure taller than 500 feet to notify the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at least 90 days before construction starts. It applies only in counties under 500,000 people that border the Gulf of Mexico and contain a National Wildlife Refuge, plus the counties next to them. If the department decides the structure would materially damage wildlife, it has 90 days to ask a local district court to limit or block construction, without posting a bond; if it does nothing, building can go ahead.

Labels

Labels: BUZZER BEATER. Final vote May 31, 2025: both chambers adopted the conference committee report. 2 days before the session ended Jun 2, 2025.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB3556 · 2025-02-28

SOLD BY

Rep. Cody VasutRHouse 25 Rep. Will MetcalfRHouse 16 Rep. Terri Leo WilsonRHouse 23

+ 3 coauthors

ITEM

relating to certain structures located near a National Wildlife Refuge.

WHAT IT DOES

Gulf counties under 500,000 with a refuge, plus neighbors. Department sits out 90 days? Build away.

The bill requires anyone planning to build a structure taller than 500 feet to notify the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at least 90 days before construction starts. It applies only in counties under 500,000 people that border the Gulf of Mexico and contain a National Wildlife Refuge, plus the counties next to them. If the department decides the structure would materially damage wildlife, it has 90 days to ask a local district court to limit or block construction, without posting a bond; if it does nothing, building can go ahead.

CHARGES

[x] BRACKET BILLanalysis confidence 40%

THE TEXT

…“applies only in a county that has a population of less than 500,000”…

Bill text, introduced version (I)

A population cap stacked on Gulf-border and refuge requirements narrows the rule to a small set of coastal counties and their neighbors. The caption already signals a narrow, refuge-focused scope, so the bracket only partly disguises the reach.

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 30, 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 Culture, Recreation & Tourism
  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. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  11. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  12. Committee report distributed
  13. Committee report sent to Calendars
  14. Considered in Calendars
  15. Placed on General State Calendar
  16. Read 2nd time
  17. Point of order sustained Rule 8, Section 1(a)(1)
  18. Returned to committee
  19. Considered in public hearing
  20. Committee substitute considered in committee
  21. Reported favorably as substituted
  22. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  23. Committee report distributed
  24. Committee report sent to Calendars
  25. Considered in Calendars
  26. Placed on General State Calendar
  27. Read 2nd time
  28. Point of order withdrawn Rule 11, Section 2
  29. Amended 1-Villalobos
  30. Amended 2-Darby
  31. Record vote RV#1525
  32. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  33. Passed to engrossment as amended
  34. Record vote RV#1526
  35. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  36. Read 3rd time
  37. Postponed 5/7/25 2:00 PM
  38. Laid out as postponed business
  39. Passed
  40. Record vote RV#1644
  41. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  42. Reported engrossed
  43. Received from the House
  44. Read first time
  45. Referred to Natural Resources
  46. Posting rule suspended
  47. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  48. Considered in public hearing
  49. Testimony taken in committee
  50. Left pending in committee
  51. Considered in public hearing
  52. Vote taken in committee
  53. Reported favorably as substituted
  54. Committee report printed and distributed
  55. Placed on intent calendar
  56. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  57. Record vote
  58. Read 2nd time
  59. Amendment(s) offered FA1 Middleton
  60. Amended
  61. Vote recorded in Journal
  62. Passed to 3rd reading as amended
  63. Record vote
  64. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  65. Record vote
  66. Read 3rd time
  67. Passed
  68. Record vote
  69. Senate passage as amended reported
  70. Senate Amendments distributed
  71. Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
  72. Point of order withdrawn Rule 11, Section 2
  73. Point of order withdrawn Rule 11, Section 2
  74. House refuses to concur in Senate amendments
  75. House requests conference committee
  76. House appoints conferees
  77. Senate grants request for conference comm.
  78. Senate appoints conferees
  79. House refuses to concur-reported
  80. House requests conference committee-reported
  81. House appoints conferees-reported
  82. Senate grants request for conf comm-reported
  83. Senate appoints conferees-reported
  84. Conference committee report filed
  85. Conf. Comm. Report distributed
  86. Senate adopts resolution to go outside bounds SR 687
  87. Senate adopts conference committee report
  88. Record vote
  89. House adopts resolution to go outside bounds HR 1491
  90. House adopts conference committee report
  91. Record vote RV#4124
  92. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  93. Senate adopts conf. comm. report-reported
  94. House adopts conf. comm. report-reported
  95. Reported enrolled
  96. Signed in the House
  97. Signed in the Senate
  98. Sent to the Governor
  99. Signed by the Governor
  100. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

Beats not yet reviewed.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 96 yea · 49 nay

Senate · 22 yea · 9 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 7, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 26, 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

Cody Vasut

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$40KTexas REALTORS Political Action Committee$13KTexas Food & Fuel Assn. - PAC$11K

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 29, 2024 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.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$40,000.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$40,000.00

Cash
$40,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$40,000.00

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 27, 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: 101005740, 101033392, 101072869.

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee$12,750.00

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$12,750.00

Cash
$12,500.00
Paid by others
$250.00
Total
$12,750.00
advertising $250.00

Also funds 140 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 2, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 12, 2024 to Oct 1, 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: 100981647, 101005740, 101062767, 101072869.

Texas Food & Fuel Assn. - PAC$11,000.00

Texas Food & Fuel Assn. - PAC

$11,000.00

Cash
$11,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$11,000.00

Also funds 65 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 3, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 12, 2024 to Jun 2, 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: 100981647, 101033392, 101062767.

Money

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

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$40,000.00

Cash
$40,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$40,000.00

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 27, 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: 101005740, 101033392, 101072869.

×

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$12,750.00

Cash
$12,500.00
Paid by others
$250.00
Total
$12,750.00
advertising $250.00

Also funds 140 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 2, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 12, 2024 to Oct 1, 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: 100981647, 101005740, 101062767, 101072869.

×

Texas Food & Fuel Assn. - PAC

$11,000.00

Cash
$11,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$11,000.00

Also funds 65 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 3, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 12, 2024 to Jun 2, 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: 100981647, 101033392, 101062767.

Votes9

Senate May 31, 2025

Yea
22
Nay
9
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

On motion of Senator Middleton, the Conference Committee Report was adopted by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9.

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

  • Yea: 22 (published)
  • Nay: 9 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

House May 31, 2025

Yea
99
Nay
12
Present, not voting
2
Absent
23
Excused
14
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 4124

Representative Vasut moved to adopt the conference committee report on HB 3556. The motion to adopt the conference committee report on HB 3556 prevailed by (Record 4124): 99 Yeas, 12 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 99 (published)
  • Nay: 12 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 23 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 14 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 26, 2025

Yea
22
Nay
9
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9. (Same as previous roll call)

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

  • Yea: 22 (published)
  • Nay: 9 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 26, 2025

Yea
22
Nay
9
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Middleton moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSHB 3556 at this time on its third reading and final passage: CSHB 3556, Relating to the construction of structures exceeding a certain height in certain counties containing national wildlife refuges and in adjacent counties; authorizing injunctive relief. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9.

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

  • Yea: 22 (published)
  • Nay: 9 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 25, 2025

Yea
21
Nay
10
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

CSHB 3556 as amended was passed to third reading by the following vote: Yeas 21, Nays 10.

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

  • Yea: 21 (published)
  • Nay: 10 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 25, 2025

Yea
21
Nay
10
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Middleton moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSHB 3556 at this time on its second reading: CSHB 3556, Relating to the construction of structures exceeding a certain height in certain counties containing national wildlife refuges and in adjacent counties; authorizing injunctive relief. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 21, Nays 10.

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

  • Yea: 21 (published)
  • Nay: 10 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

House May 7, 2025

Yea
96
Nay
49
Present, not voting
1
Absent
2
Excused
2
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1644

HB 3556 was passed by (Record 1644): 96 Yeas, 49 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 96 (published)
  • Nay: 49 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 2 (derived from named list)

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

House May 6, 2025

Yea
105
Nay
38
Present, not voting
1
Absent
3
Excused
3
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1526

CSHB 3556, as amended, was passed to engrossment by (Record 1526): 105 Yeas, 38 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 105 (published)
  • Nay: 38 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

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

House May 6, 2025

Yea
72
Nay
71
Present, not voting
1
Absent
4
Excused
2
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1525

The roll of those voting yea and nay was again called and the verified vote resulted, as follows (Record 1525): 72 Yeas, 71 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 72 (published)
  • Nay: 71 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 2 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses33
For
6
Against
24
On
3
Names

For

  • Self1 registration
  • Self; Devils River Conservancy1 registration
  • Self; Texas Humane Legislation Network1 registration
  • Self; Texas Wildlife Association1 registration
  • Self; The Mundy Firm1 registration
  • Texas Wildlife Association1 registration

Against

  • Advanced Power Alliance2 registrations
  • Apex Clean Energy1 registration
  • Conservative Texans for Energy Innovation1 registration
  • EDF Renewables1 registration
  • EDP RENEWABLES1 registration
  • Enel North America, Inc.1 registration
  • Engie North America1 registration
  • Environment Texas1 registration
  • Invenergy, LLC1 registration
  • Legislative and Conservation Director1 registration
  • National Grid Renewables1 registration
  • Onward Energy1 registration
  • Orsted1 registration
  • Pattern Energy Group 2, LP1 registration
  • Public Citizen2 registrations
  • RWE Clean Energy1 registration
  • Savion Energy1 registration
  • Self1 registration
  • Self; Audubon Texas1 registration
  • Solar energy industries association1 registration
  • Texas Solar + Storage Association1 registration
  • The AES Corporation1 registration

On

  • Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program1 registration
  • Self; International Crane Foundation1 registration
  • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department1 registration
Sources

33 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

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

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 F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 30, 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 19, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Feb 28, 2025

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

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

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 1:51 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Cody HarrisRHouse 8 Carrie IsaacRHouse 73 Stan KitzmanRHouse 85
Sponsors
Mayes MiddletonRSenate 11

House committee · Culture, Recreation & Tourism · Committee vote 7 aye, 1 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Natural Resources · Committee vote 7 aye, 2 nay · Out of committee

Companion

SB 2598 by Middleton (identical)

Subjects

GULF OF MEXICO

Animals

Coastal Affairs & Beaches

Parks & Wildlife--Parks

PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

Text

The text as introduced · 338 words

By: Vasut
H.B. No. 3556

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certain structures located near a National Wildlife

Refuge.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 26, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended

by adding Section 26.005 to read as follows:

Sec. 26.005. NOTICE OF CONSTRUCTION. (a) This section

applies only in a county that has a population of less than 500,000

and:

(1) that:

(A) borders the Gulf of Mexico; and

(B) contains a National Wildlife Refuge; or

(2) is adjacent to a county described by Subdivision

(1).

(b) A person may not construct a structure that is taller

than 500 feet unless the person provides notice to the department at

least 90 days before beginning construction of the structure.

(c) Notice under this section must give sufficient detail of

the structure for the department to reasonably evaluate its impact

on wildlife.

(d) Upon receiving notice under this section, the

department may evaluate the proposed structure. If the department

determines that construction of the structure or structures would

materially damage wildlife in this state, the department may, on or

before the 90th day after notice is filed, seek relief as provided

by this section to limit or enjoin construction.

(e) If the department takes no action on or before the 90th

day after notice is filed, the person may proceed with

construction.

(f) A district court of a county in which the structure is

proposed to be constructed may restrain and enjoin the person from

constructing the structure.

(g) The court may grant injunctive relief on application of

the department.

(h) The department is not required to post a bond when

seeking injunctive relief under this section.

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.