HB 3650

This bill establishes a regulatory framework for fusion energy in Texas by amending the Utilities Code to explicitly distinguish fusion energy from traditional nuclear fission power. The legislation defines fusion energy and fusion power plants, grants the Public Utility Commission jurisdiction over fusion power plants, and crucially clarifies that any existing references to "nuclear energy" or "nuclear power" in state laws and regulations should not be interpreted as applying to fusion energy unless no other reasonable interpretation exists. Additionally, the bill amends existing definitions related to nuclear decommissioning to explicitly exclude fusion energy facilities from nuclear decommissioning requirements, effectively creating a separate regulatory pathway for fusion energy development in Texas that is distinct from traditional nuclear fission regulations.