SB 2598

bill on tall structures near a National Wildlife Refuge

Died in committee

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review

Initial review · graded Oct 19, 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

Over 500 feet? Notify the state 90 days ahead.

The bill requires anyone planning 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 Gulf coast counties with fewer than 500,000 people that contain a National Wildlife Refuge, and in the counties next to them. Within those 90 days the department can ask a local district court to limit or stop the project if it would materially damage wildlife, without posting a bond; if the department does nothing, construction can go ahead.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB2598 · 2025-03-13

SOLD BY

Sen. Mayes MiddletonRSenate 11

ITEM

relating to certain structures located near a National Wildlife Refuge.

WHAT IT DOES

Over 500 feet? Notify the state 90 days ahead.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No fiscal note in the loaded record.

HISTORY

Mar 13, 2025Received by the Secretary of the Senate
Mar 13, 2025Filed
Apr 3, 2025Read first time
Apr 3, 2025Referred to Natural Resources

FILED UNDER

Beats not yet reviewed.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Mayes Middleton

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$1.14MRussell Gordy$300,000Kenneth Fisher$215,000

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 6, 2024 to Oct 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.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$1,140,000.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$1,140,000.00

Cash: $1,140,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $1,140,000.00

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 · Dec 12, 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.

Report IDs: 101009502, 101012383, 101061137, 101072395, 101072779.

Russell Gordy$300,000.00

Kenneth Fisher$215,000.00

Money

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

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$1,140,000.00

Cash: $1,140,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $1,140,000.00

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 · Dec 12, 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.

Report IDs: 101009502, 101012383, 101061137, 101072395, 101072779.

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 19, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas Senate · Filed Mar 13, 2025

04/03/2025 S Referred to Natural Resources

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced

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

Senate committee · Natural Resources · Final status: Died in committee

Subjects

GULF OF MEXICO

Courts--District

Public Lands, Buildings & Resources

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE

PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

Text

The text as introduced · 338 words

By: Middleton
S.B. No. 2598

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.