HB 5572

Troxclair Storage Bill: No Decision In 180 Days Means Approved

Died in committee

Verdict: Smells

SmellsInitial review

Rep. Ellen TroxclairRHouse 19

Why it's charged

The hole

THE TEXT

“(2) the commission by order approves the interconnection of the energy storage facility.”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

This second path lets a battery site connect by a commission order outside the application and contested-case review the bill sets up. Combined with the 180-day deemed-approval rule, the review can be skipped or run out by the clock.

The hole

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 energy storage facilities.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Each battery site gets a contested case. Or the commission approves it by order instead.

The bill bars battery energy storage facilities from connecting to the ERCOT grid unless the state utility commission approves them, and it orders the commission to write an application and public-notice process by September 1, 2026. It touches battery storage developers, nearby landowners, county and city officials, and state environmental and wildlife agencies, who get notice and a say through required recommendations and a fire plan. On the ground, each new battery site must go through a contested case weighing land use, environment, setbacks and other factors, but an application is automatically approved if the commission does not decide within 180 days.

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-HB5572 · 2025-03-14

SOLD BY

Rep. Ellen TroxclairRHouse 19

ITEM

relating to energy storage facilities.

WHAT IT DOES

Each battery site gets a contested case. Or the commission approves it by order instead.

CHARGES

[x] THE HOLEanalysis confidence 45%

THE TEXT

“(2) the commission by order approves the interconnection of the energy storage facility.”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

TOTAL

No fiscal note in the loaded record.

HISTORY

Mar 14, 2025Filed
Apr 7, 2025Read first time
Apr 7, 2025Referred to State Affairs

FILED UNDER

DATA CENTERS, WATER AND THE GRID

THE TEXT

“An energy storage facility may not interconnect to the ERCOT electric grid without one of the following:”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The bill puts a state approval gate in front of battery storage sites joining the ERCOT grid.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Ellen Troxclair

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$100K Texans for Lawsuit Reform PC$10K Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee$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 · Oct 29, 2024 to Oct 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.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$100,000.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$100,000.00

Cash: $100,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $100,000.00

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 · Jul 14, 2025 to Feb 3, 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: 101031227, 101040659.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PC$10,000.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PC

$10,000.00

Cash: $10,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $10,000.00

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · on Oct 2, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

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

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Oct 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: 101072162.

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee$5,083.34

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$5,083.34

Cash: $5,000.00
Paid by others: $83.34
Total: $5,083.34

advertising $83.34

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 Sep 25, 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: 100982032, 101031227, 101072162.

Money

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

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$100,000.00

Cash: $100,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $100,000.00

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 · Jul 14, 2025 to Feb 3, 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: 101031227, 101040659.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PC

$10,000.00

Cash: $10,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $10,000.00

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · on Oct 2, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

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

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Oct 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: 101072162.

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$5,083.34

Cash: $5,000.00
Paid by others: $83.34
Total: $5,083.34

advertising $83.34

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 Sep 25, 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: 100982032, 101031227, 101072162.

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

Energy--Fuel Storage

Utilities--Electric

PUBLIC NOTICE

ELECTRIC RELIABILITY COUNCIL OF TEXAS (ERCOT)

PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION

Text

The text as introduced · 340 words

By: Troxclair
H.B. No. 5572

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to energy storage facilities.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 35, Utilities Code, is amended by adding

subchapter F to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER F. ENERGY STORAGE FACILITY APPROVAL

Sec. 35.201. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Energy storage facility" means a battery energy

storage resource.

Sec. 35.202. APPLICATION. (a) On or before September 1,

2026, the commission shall establish a rule to create a process for

energy storage facility applications and for the provision of

public notice of the application to state agencies, local

landowners, and county and municipal officials.

(b) An energy storage facility may not interconnect to the

ERCOT electric grid without one of the following:

(1) the energy storage facility obtains approval by

the commission under this subchapter; or

(2) the commission by order approves the

interconnection of the energy storage facility.

(c) The commission shall approve, deny, or approve with

conditions each application for interconnection of an energy

storage facility through a contested case proceeding on a

nondiscriminatory basis after considering:

(1) existing renewable energy generation facilities

in the area;

(2) existing agricultural and recreational land uses;

(3) environmental and species impact;

(4) historical and aesthetic values;

(5) appropriate setbacks from existing development;

and

(6) any other factor the commission deems appropriate.

(d) An application submitted under this section must

include:

(1) any recommendations provided by the Texas

Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas Parks and

Wildlife Department;

(2) a plan of action for responding to state agency

recommendations prior to and during construction; and

(3) a fire mitigation plan that provides for:

(A) emergency vehicle access;

(B) fire mitigation procedures; and

(C) ingress and egress plans during a fire event.

Sec. 35.203. DEADLINE FOR DECISION. The commission must

approve, deny, or approve with conditions an application not later

than the 180th day after the date the application is filed or it is

deemed approved.

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