H.B. No. 317 establishes the Climate Change Impact Assessment Council in Texas, tasked with studying the effects of climate change on the state's residents, natural resources, public health, and economy. The council will consist of two members from the Senate, two from the House of Representatives, and seven public members with expertise in various relevant fields, including climatology and land management. Public members will be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred while conducting council business. The council is required to conduct a comprehensive study assessing the current and potential impacts of climate change, estimate associated costs, research mitigation measures, and recommend legislation to minimize adverse effects.

The council is mandated to hold public hearings across the state to gather information and must submit a report to the legislature by January 1, 2027. The council will be dissolved, and the act will expire on September 1, 2027. Appointments to the council must be completed by March 1, 2026, by the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house. The act will take effect 91 days after the end of the legislative session.