Monitoring the Session

HB 5505

Morales Generator Bill Reaches Only Cities Of 2M Or More

Died in committee

Verdict: Smells

SmellsInitial review
Rep. Christina MoralesDHouse 145
Why it's charged
Bracket bill

THE TEXT

“This section applies only to a municipality with a population of two million or more.”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

A two-million population floor aims the duty at only the very largest cities. The caption does say "certain municipalities," so the narrowness is partly disclosed.

Bracket bill

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 requirements for backup electric generator connections for new multiunit complexes in certain municipalities; providing civil penalties.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

New apartment complexes need a backup generator hookup. Penalty up to $50K, then more yearly.

The bill orders very large cities to add a rule to their building codes requiring new apartment complexes to be built so a backup generator can be hooked up to the main electrical panel. The rule reaches builders and owners of new multiunit complexes in cities with two million or more people, and the city must inspect the buildings for compliance. A violator faces a civil penalty of up to $50,000, plus another penalty each year the problem goes unfixed after the first year, and the city may excuse a complex with a technical limitation.

Labels

Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 14, 2025 and referred to the House State Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB5505 · 2025-03-14

SOLD BY

Rep. Christina MoralesDHouse 145

ITEM

relating to requirements for backup electric generator connections for new multiunit complexes in certain municipalities; providing civil penalties.

WHAT IT DOES

New apartment complexes need a backup generator hookup. Penalty up to $50K, then more yearly.

The bill orders very large cities to add a rule to their building codes requiring new apartment complexes to be built so a backup generator can be hooked up to the main electrical panel. The rule reaches builders and owners of new multiunit complexes in cities with two million or more people, and the city must inspect the buildings for compliance. A violator faces a civil penalty of up to $50,000, plus another penalty each year the problem goes unfixed after the first year, and the city may excuse a complex with a technical limitation.

CHARGES

[x] BRACKET BILLanalysis confidence 50%

THE TEXT

“This section applies only to a municipality with a population of two million or more.”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

A two-million population floor aims the duty at only the very largest cities. The caption does say "certain municipalities," so the narrowness is partly disclosed.

TOTAL

No fiscal note in the loaded record.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to State Affairs
FILED UNDER

DATA CENTERS, WATER AND THE GRID

THE TEXT

“be compatible with a generator that is capable of operating essential services for the complex for a minimum of 96 hours”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The bill puts the cost of grid-outage readiness for new apartment complexes on builders and owners through a building-code mandate.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Christina Morales

Donors

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$23KTexas Organizing Project Political Action Committee$8KKickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas$5K

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 2, 2024 to Oct 10, 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$22,500.00

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$22,500.00

Cash
$22,500.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$22,500.00

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 · Oct 23, 2024 to Sep 28, 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: 100987507, 101030051, 101061699, 101072155.

Texas Organizing Project Political Action Committee$7,711.42

Texas Organizing Project Political Action Committee

$7,711.42

Cash
$500.00
Paid by others
$7,211.42
Total
$7,711.42
Other filed descriptions $5,122.42printing $2,089.00

Also funds 4 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 30, 2024 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 26, 2024 to Sep 21, 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: 100987507, 101030051, 101072150.

Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas$5,000.00

Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas

$5,000.00

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

Also funds 53 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Aug 15, 2024 to Sep 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 10, 2024 to Aug 24, 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: 100987507, 101072150.

Money

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

×

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$22,500.00

Cash
$22,500.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$22,500.00

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 · Oct 23, 2024 to Sep 28, 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: 100987507, 101030051, 101061699, 101072155.

×

Texas Organizing Project Political Action Committee

$7,711.42

Cash
$500.00
Paid by others
$7,211.42
Total
$7,711.42
Other filed descriptions $5,122.42printing $2,089.00

Also funds 4 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 30, 2024 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 26, 2024 to Sep 21, 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: 100987507, 101030051, 101072150.

×

Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas

$5,000.00

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

Also funds 53 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Aug 15, 2024 to Sep 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 10, 2024 to Aug 24, 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: 100987507, 101072150.

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 Mar 14, 2025

04/07/2025 H Referred to State Affairs: Apr 7 2025 5:28PM

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

City Government--Land Use & Zoning

Civil Remedies & Liabilities

Disaster Preparedness & Relief

Safety

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Text

The text as introduced · 370 words

89R15999 CS-D

By: Morales of Harris
H.B. No. 5505

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requirements for backup electric generator connections

for new multiunit complexes in certain municipalities; providing

civil penalties.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 214, Local Government

Code, is amended by adding Section 214.222 to read as follows:

Sec. 214.222. BACKUP ELECTRIC GENERATOR CONNECTIONS FOR

MULTIUNIT COMPLEXES IN CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES. (a) In this

section, "multiunit complex" has the meaning assigned by Section

92.151, Property Code.

(b) This section applies only to a municipality with a

population of two million or more.

(c) The governing body of a municipality by ordinance shall

incorporate into its municipal building code a requirement that the

construction of a new multiunit complex be compatible with the

connection of a backup electric generator. The connection must:

(1) allow for a generator to be connected to the main

electrical panel of the complex by a manual or automatic transfer

switch;

(2) be compatible with a generator that is capable of

operating essential services for the complex for a minimum of 96

hours;

(3) include a statement close to the connection of the

connection's voltage, capacity, and compatible plugs; and

(4) comply with applicable electrical and fire safety

standards.

(d) An ordinance adopted under this section must require the

inspection of a multiunit complex to ensure compliance with the

building code provisions adopted under this section.

(e) A person who violates an ordinance adopted under this

section is liable to the municipality for a civil penalty in an

amount not to exceed $50,000.

(f) A person assessed a civil penalty under Subsection (e)

must make any repairs and improvements necessary to bring the

property into compliance not later than the first anniversary of

the date the civil penalty is assessed. A person who violates this

subsection is liable for another civil penalty under Subsection (e)

for each year the person violates this subsection.

(g) A municipality may grant an exception to an ordinance

adopted under this section for a new multiunit complex that has a

technical limitation that prevents compliance with this section.

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