The bill, H.B. No. 3493, seeks to limit the authority of municipalities in Texas regarding the regulation of residential energy backup systems. It introduces a definition for "residential energy backup system," specifying that it refers to systems capable of providing no more than 50 kilowatts of electricity or having a storage capacity of no more than 100 kilowatt hours. The bill amends the Local Government Code to explicitly state that municipalities cannot adopt or enforce amendments to the National Electrical Code that would regulate the installation or inspection of these backup systems.

Additionally, the bill modifies the heading of Subchapter C, Chapter 229, to include "AND BACKUP ENERGY DEVICES," and establishes a new section that reiterates the prohibition on municipal regulations concerning the installation or inspection of residential energy backup systems. The changes will only apply to installations or inspections initiated on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 214.211, Local Government Code 214.214 (Local Government Code 214)