Texas SB1198: Relating to the designation of spaceports as critical infrastructure facilities for purposes of criminal and civil liability.

What the bill says

An act relating to the designation of spaceports as critical infrastructure facilities for purposes of criminal and civil liability.

From the enrolled text, May 30, 2025:

AN ACT relating to the designation of spaceports as critical infrastructure facilities for purposes of criminal and civil liability. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 424.001, Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 424.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "critical infrastructure facility" has the meaning assigned by Section 423.0045(a)(1-a) and also includes: (1) any pipeline transporting oil or gas or the products or constituents of oil or gas; (2) a public or private airport depicted in any current aeronautical chart published by the Federal Aviation Administration; (3) a military installation owned or operated by or for the federal government, this state, or another governmental entity; [[DELETED: and]] (4)[ADDED: any property, including a temporary hazard area ] [ADDED: related to the operation of a launch complex authorized by the ] [ADDED: Federal Aviation Administration, or facility used for the launch, ] [ADDED: landing, recovery, or testing of spacecraft, as defined by Section ] [ and] [ADDED: (5)]a[ADDED: property,]facility[ADDED: ,]or pipeline described by this section that is under construction and all equipment and appurtenances used during that construction. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act …

Sponsors

• Brian Birdwell (R, SD-022) · primary sponsor
• Cesar Blanco (D, SD-029)
• Greg Bonnen (R, HD-024)
• Claudia Ordaz Perez (D, HD-079)
• Carl Tepper (R, HD-084)

Latest actions

1. June 20, 2025: Effective on 9/1/25
2. June 20, 2025: Signed by the Governor
3. June 1, 2025: Sent to the Governor
4. June 1, 2025: Signed in the House
5. May 31, 2025: Signed in the Senate
6. May 31, 2025: Senate adopts conf. comm. report-reported
7. May 30, 2025: Reported enrolled
8. May 30, 2025: Record vote
9. May 30, 2025: Senate adopts conference committee report
10. May 30, 2025: House adopts conf. comm. report-reported

Votes

• State Affairs Committee Vote (Out of committee): 14 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Natural Resources Committee Vote (Out of committee): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate adopts conference committee report (May 30, 2025): 30 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#4091 (May 30, 2025): 118 yea, 14 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#4045 (May 23, 2025): 103 yea, 35 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#3334 (May 23, 2025): 121 yea, 17 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB1198?

SB1198 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature Regular Session): Relating to the designation of spaceports as critical infrastructure facilities for purposes of criminal and civil liability.

What does SB1198 do?

In its own words: An act relating to the designation of spaceports as critical infrastructure facilities for purposes of criminal and civil liability.

What is the status of SB1198?

Signed into law as of June 20, 2025. Latest action: Effective on 9/1/25 (June 20, 2025).

Who sponsored SB1198?

Brian Birdwell (R, SD-022), with 4 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB1198?

On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB01198