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 and two from the House of Representatives, along with seven public members with expertise in climatology, the economy, land management, and tourism. The council is authorized to conduct a comprehensive study, estimate costs associated with climate change impacts, research mitigation measures for related disasters, and recommend legislative actions. Public hearings will be held to gather information, and a report detailing the study's findings must be submitted to the legislature by January 1, 2027.

The council will be supported by legislative standing committees with jurisdiction over environmental regulation and will be entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses incurred during its operations. The council is set to be dissolved, and the act will expire on September 1, 2027. Appointments to the council must be completed by March 1, 2026, and the act will take effect 91 days after the legislative session concludes.