SB 1198: spaceports become critical infrastructure facilities

Caption

relating to the designation of spaceports as critical infrastructure facilities for purposes of criminal and civil liability.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Added to the Chapter 424 list.

The bill adds spaceports to the list of places Texas treats as critical infrastructure facilities under Chapter 424 of the Government Code. It covers sites used to launch, land, or recover spacecraft that are either licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration or run by a local spaceport development corporation, and it reaches people whose conduct at those sites can bring offense or civil liability. Starting September 1, 2025, spaceports get the same legal protection already given to pipelines, airports, and military bases.

Labels

Labels: BUZZER BEATER. Final vote May 30, 2025: both chambers adopted the conference committee report. 3 days before the session ended Jun 2, 2025.CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author Brian Birdwell (R) in the Senate. Lead sponsor Eddie Morales (D) in the House. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB1198 · 2025-02-10

SOLD BY

Sen. Brian BirdwellRSenate 22

+ 2 coauthors

ITEM

relating to the designation of spaceports as critical infrastructure facilities for purposes of criminal and civil liability.

WHAT IT DOES

Added to the Chapter 424 list.

The bill adds spaceports to the list of places Texas treats as critical infrastructure facilities under Chapter 424 of the Government Code. It covers sites used to launch, land, or recover spacecraft that are either licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration or run by a local spaceport development corporation, and it reaches people whose conduct at those sites can bring offense or civil liability. Starting September 1, 2025, spaceports get the same legal protection already given to pipelines, airports, and military bases.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 29, 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

Feb 10, 2025Received by the Secretary of the Senate
Feb 10, 2025Filed
Feb 28, 2025Read first time
Feb 28, 2025Referred to Natural Resources
Mar 12, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Mar 12, 2025Considered in public hearing
Mar 12, 2025Testimony taken in committee
Mar 12, 2025Left pending in committee
Mar 19, 2025Considered in public hearing
Mar 19, 2025Vote taken in committee
Mar 24, 2025Reported favorably as substituted
Mar 24, 2025Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
Mar 24, 2025Committee report printed and distributed
Mar 24, 2025Corrected comm. report printed & distributed
Mar 25, 2025Co-author authorized
Mar 25, 2025Placed on intent calendar
Mar 26, 2025Co-author authorized
Mar 26, 2025Rules suspended-Regular order of business
Mar 26, 2025Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
Mar 26, 2025Vote recorded in Journal
Mar 26, 2025Three day rule suspended
Mar 26, 2025Record vote
Mar 26, 2025Read 3rd time
Mar 26, 2025Passed
Mar 26, 2025Record vote
Mar 26, 2025Reported engrossed
Mar 27, 2025Received from the Senate
Apr 9, 2025Read first time
Apr 9, 2025Referred to State Affairs
Apr 30, 2025Considered in public hearing
Apr 30, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
May 6, 2025Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
May 6, 2025Committee report distributed
May 6, 2025Committee report sent to Calendars
May 19, 2025Considered in Calendars
May 21, 2025Placed on General State Calendar
May 22, 2025Read 2nd time
May 22, 2025Amended 1-E. Morales
May 22, 2025Record vote RV#3255
May 22, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 22, 2025Passed to 3rd reading as amended
May 22, 2025Record vote RV#3256
May 22, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 23, 2025Read 3rd time
May 23, 2025Passed
May 23, 2025Record vote RV#3334
May 23, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 23, 2025Rules suspended
May 23, 2025Additional sponsor(s) authorized
May 23, 2025House passage as amended reported
May 26, 2025House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
May 26, 2025Read
May 26, 2025Senate refuses to concur
May 26, 2025Senate requests conference committee
May 26, 2025Senate appoints conferees
May 26, 2025Senate refuses to concur-reported
May 26, 2025Senate requests conference committee-reported
May 26, 2025Senate appoints conferees-reported
May 27, 2025House grants request for conference committee
May 27, 2025House appoints conferees
May 27, 2025House grants request for conf comm-reported
May 27, 2025House appoints conferees-reported
May 28, 2025Conference committee report filed
May 29, 2025Conf. Comm. Report distributed
May 30, 2025House adopts conference committee report
May 30, 2025Record vote RV#4091
May 30, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 30, 2025House adopts conf. comm. report-reported
May 30, 2025Senate adopts conference committee report
May 30, 2025Record vote
May 30, 2025Reported enrolled
May 31, 2025Senate adopts conf. comm. report-reported
May 31, 2025Signed in the Senate
Jun 1, 2025Signed in the House
Jun 1, 2025Sent to the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Signed by the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Effective on 9/1/25

FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 121 yea · 17 nay

Senate · 30 yea · 1 nay

Sources

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

Senate: Final passage · Mar 26, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Brian Birdwell

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC Austin TX$30,000

Good Government Fund Fort Worth TX$10,000

Texas Oil & Gas Assn. Good Govt. Cmte Austin TX$10,000

Derived from itemized gifts, Jul 1, 2024 to Jun 30, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

$353,800 raised since Jul 1, 2024. Derived sum of published report totals. blank in the state's data, consistent with zero. Flow, Jul 1, 2024 through Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026. 4 of 4 filed reports carry a published figure.

$502,039 spent since Jul 1, 2024. Derived sum of published report totals. Flow, Jul 1, 2024 through Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026. 4 of 4 filed reports carry a published figure.

$731,044 cash on hand. Published report total. Stock, as of Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026.

$0 loans outstanding. Published report total. Stock, as of Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived sum of itemized contributions in regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Unitemized contributions are not included. Flow, Jul 1, 2024 through Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Money

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

Votes8

Senate May 30, 2025

Yea: 30
Nay: 1
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

CookNay

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

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Sources

On motion of Senator Birdwell, the Conference Committee Report was adopted by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.

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

Yea: 30 (published)
Nay: 1 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

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

House May 30, 2025

Yea: 118
Nay: 14
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 10
Excused: 6

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 4091

Representative E. Morales moved to adopt the conference committee report on SB 1198. The motion to adopt the conference committee report on SB 1198 prevailed by (Record 4091): 118 Yeas, 14 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 118 (published)
Nay: 14 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 10 (derived from named list)
Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

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

House May 23, 2025

Yea: 121
Nay: 17
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 3
Excused: 7

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3334

SB 1198 was passed by (Record 3334): 121 Yeas, 17 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 121 (published)
Nay: 17 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
Excused: 7 (derived from named list)

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

House May 22, 2025

Yea: 116
Nay: 18
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 4
Excused: 10

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3256

SB 1198, as amended, was passed to third reading by (Record 3256): 116 Yeas, 18 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 116 (published)
Nay: 18 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
Excused: 10 (derived from named list)

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

House May 22, 2025

Yea: 121
Nay: 13
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 4
Excused: 10

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3255

Amendment No. 1 was adopted by (Record 3255): 121 Yeas, 13 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 121 (published)
Nay: 13 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
Excused: 10 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Mar 26, 2025

Yea: 30
Nay: 1
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

CookNay

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

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Sources

Senator Birdwell moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 1198 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.

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

Yea: 30 (published)
Nay: 1 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

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

Senate Mar 26, 2025

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.

Sources

Senator Birdwell moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 1198 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 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 Mar 26, 2025

Yea: Not printed
Nay: Not printed
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

CookNay

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

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by a viva voce vote.

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.

Witnesses6

For: 6
Against: 0
On: 0

Names

For

City of Houston1 registration
Houston Airport System1 registration
Self1 registration
Spacex1 registration
Texas Association of Business1 registration
Texas Commercial Airports Association1 registration

Sources

6 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 29, 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 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas Senate · Filed Feb 10, 2025

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

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

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors

César BlancoDSenate 29

Adam HinojosaRSenate 27

Companion

HB 2973 by Morales, Eddie (identical)

Subjects

Aeronautics

Law Enforcement

Military & Veterans

Transportation--Aviation

SPACEPORTS

Text

The text as introduced · 363 words

89R3015 SCR-D

By: Birdwell
S.B. No. 1198

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the designation of spaceports as critical

infrastructure facilities for purposes of criminal and civil

liability.

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

SECTION 1. Section 424.001, Government Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 424.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "critical

infrastructure facility" has the meaning assigned by Section

423.0045(a)(1-a) and also includes:

(1) any pipeline transporting oil or gas or the

products or constituents of oil or gas;

(2) a public or private airport depicted in any

current aeronautical chart published by the Federal Aviation

Administration;

(3) a military installation owned or operated by or

for the federal government, this state, or another governmental

entity; [ and ]

(4) any property or facility that is:

(A) used for the launch, landing, or recovery of

spacecraft, as defined by Section 507.001, Local Government Code;

and

(B) licensed by the Federal Aviation

Administration or operated by a spaceport development corporation

under Chapter 507, Local Government Code; and

(5) a property, facility , or pipeline described by

this section that is under construction and all equipment and

appurtenances used during that construction.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only

to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.

An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is

governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,

and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For

purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the

effective date of this Act if any element of the offense was

committed before that date.

SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only

to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of

this Act. A cause of action that accrues before the effective date

of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the cause of

action accrued, and the former law is continued in effect for that

purpose.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Verdict: No flags

The receipt

SOLD BY

ITEM

WHAT IT DOES

CHARGES

TOTAL

HISTORY

SIGNED FOR BY

Donors

Senate May 30, 2025

House May 30, 2025

House May 23, 2025

House May 22, 2025

House May 22, 2025

Senate Mar 26, 2025

Senate Mar 26, 2025

Senate Mar 26, 2025

For

Companion