TX HB3824

Applies to battery energy storage facilities with capacity of 1 megawatt hour or greater with commercial operations dates on or after January 1, 2027

Requires the Commissioner of Insurance to adopt fire safety standards based on UL Solutions standards (such as UL 9540A testing) and National Fire Protection Association standards (NFPA 855, 2023 edition or later)

Mandates battery operators to develop site-specific emergency operations plans identifying risks, hazard mitigation, shutdown procedures, and communication protocols with first responders, and to provide free annual training to local first responders

Requires independent third-party engineer inspections before commercial operations (upon municipality/county request) and mandatory fire safety inspection reports every five years thereafter

Preempts municipalities and counties from adopting regulations inconsistent with state-adopted standards; enforcement authority delegated to the State Fire Marshal with administrative penalty authority