The Texas House gave final approval to a bill that directs utilities and regulators to conduct regular security exercises at designated electricity facilities.

The measure, carried in the House by Rep. Ann Lawson and originating in the Senate under Sen. Hall, requires simulated or tabletop exercises “at least once every two years” at transmission substations and associated control centers that the bill labels critical facilities.

Proponents said the exercises will help utilities, law enforcement and regulators prepare for physical attacks and other disruptions. “This bill helps secure our grid,” Rep. Lawson said on the floor.

Members pressed the bill’s sponsor about definitions and scope. Rep. Wu asked, “How did you exactly define critical facility?” Lawson replied that the bill defines the term to mean “a transmission substation and any associated control centers that if rendered inoperable or damaged because of a physical attack could cause widespread instability, uncontrolled separation, or cascading outages within an interconnection.” Lawmakers also asked why the exercise cadence was set at two years rather than annually; Lawson and supporters said the statute sets a minimum and utilities may exercise more frequently.

Several representatives pressed for clarity about evaluation criteria and the administrative burden on utilities. Lawson cited testimony that utilities supported the approach when it moved through the Senate and said some annual exercises already occur in other forums, with this measure ensuring a consistent, minimum schedule and a focus on roles and responsibilities during an attack.

The bill directs ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission to participate in exercises and to identify roles for electric generation and transmission providers, law enforcement and independent system operators. Supporters framed the bill as a targeted, operational requirement rather than a broad regulatory overhaul.

The House recorded a unanimous final vote for the Senate-originated bill. The measure received broad floor debate and technical questions about definitions and metrics before passing.