House Bill No. 1501 mandates the Texas State University Meadows Center for Water and the Environment to conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing seawater desalination plants along the Gulf Coast. The study will focus on incentivizing the creation of these plants and will involve researching international desalination practices, particularly those in Israel and Australia, to identify best practices and potential challenges, including financial barriers. Additionally, the study will explore environmentally sensitive and cost-effective methods for disposing of brine concentrate, with a specific interest in its potential use in nuclear energy production.

The bill requires the center to report its findings to key state officials, including the governor and legislative leaders, by January 1, 2027, and it will expire on February 1, 2027. The effective date for the bill is set for September 1, 2025.