The bill, H.B. No. 842, mandates a study by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (the "Commission") on the feasibility and implications of burying power lines in the Gulf Coast region, defined as the area within 150 miles of the Gulf of Mexico. The legislature recognizes that this region is susceptible to weather-related power outages and that underground power lines may offer greater resilience against extreme weather conditions. The study will assess various factors, including the costs associated with burying existing overhead power lines, the maintenance and repair costs of underground lines, potential cost savings from reduced outages, and the application of relevant technologies from the Department of Energy's Grid Overhaul program.

The Commission is required to submit a report detailing the study's findings and recommendations to key state officials, including the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house, by September 1, 2026. The bill also establishes an expiration date of October 31, 2026, and specifies that it will take effect on September 1, 2025.