HB2898 - Relating to requirements for certain meteorological evaluation towers.

      H.B. No. 2898         AN ACT   relating to requirements for certain meteorological evaluation   towers.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 21.071, Transportation   Code, is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 21.071.  [ PAINTING AND MARKING ] REQUIREMENTS FOR   CERTAIN METEOROLOGICAL EVALUATION TOWERS; OFFENSE.          SECTION 2.  Section 21.071, Transportation Code, is amended   by amending Subsections (a) and (e) and adding Subsections (c-1),   (c-2), and (c-3) to read as follows:          (a)  In this section :                 (1)  "Meteorological [ , "meteorological ] evaluation   tower" means a structure that:                       (A)  [ (1) ]  is self-standing or supported by guy   wires and anchors;                       (B)  [ (2) ]  is not more than 12 [ six ] feet in   diameter at the base of the structure; and                       (C)  [ (3) ]  has accessory facilities on which an   antenna, sensor, camera, meteorological instrument, or other   equipment is mounted for the purpose of documenting whether a site   has sufficient wind resources for the operation of a wind turbine   generator.                 (2)     "Military aviation training facility" means a   base, station, fort, or camp at which any branch of the United   States armed forces regularly conducts aviation training.           (c-1)     A person may not erect a meteorological evaluation   tower unless the person provides notice to the department in   accordance with this subsection of the person's intent to erect the   tower. Notice provided under this subsection must:                 (1)  be on a form prescribed by the department;                   (2)     be submitted through the department's Internet   website not later than the 30th day before the date erection of the   tower begins; and                 (3)  contain the following information:                       (A)     the name, address, and contact information of   the owner or operator of the meteorological evaluation tower;                       (B)     the proposed location of the meteorological   evaluation tower, including the site's latitude, longitude, and   ground elevation and the tower's height above ground level;                       (C)     the date the person proposes to begin   erecting the meteorological evaluation tower; and                       (D)     any other information the department   considers necessary to determine the ownership, physical   characteristics, or location of the meteorological evaluation   tower.           (c-2)     The owner or operator of the meteorological   evaluation tower shall notify the department in the form and manner   prescribed by the department of any change in the information   contained in the notice provided for the tower under Subsection   (c-1).           (c-3)     Not later than the 30th day after the date the   department receives notice of a person's intent to erect a   meteorological evaluation tower under Subsection (c-1), the   department shall provide a copy of the notice to:                 (1)     each federally owned or operated radar   installation or military aviation training facility in this state   whose boundaries are within 50 nautical miles of the tower;                 (2)     the county judge of each county in this state that   contains a radar installation or military aviation training   facility described by Subdivision (1); and                 (3)     the county judge of each county in this state   within 25 miles of a radar installation or military aviation   training facility described by Subdivision (1).          (e)  The department shall adopt rules to implement and   administer this section, including rules requiring a person[ :                [ (1) ]  who owns or [ , ] operates[ , or erects ] a   meteorological evaluation tower [ to provide notice to the   department of the existence of or intent to erect a meteorological   evaluation tower; and                [ (2) ] to register the [ meteorological evaluation ]   tower with the department.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 2898 was passed by the House on May 2,   2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 129, Nays 8, 1 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.B. No. 2898 was passed by the Senate on May   22, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate       APPROVED:  _____________________                      Date                           _____________________                    Governor