According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), HB 1169 is not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the State of Texas. The Railroad Commission, which is tasked with developing and adopting the comprehensive oil and gas infrastructure protection plan, is anticipated to carry out this directive using its existing staff and budget. The agency is not projected to require additional appropriations or personnel to fulfill the bill’s requirements​.

The bill also has no anticipated fiscal implication for units of local government. Since HB 1169 does not impose mandates, regulatory requirements, or new administrative burdens on cities, counties, or local utilities, it avoids creating downstream costs or unfunded mandates at the local level.

Overall, HB 1169 is structured to integrate into existing agency functions without expanding government spending or increasing the size of the bureaucracy. Its budgetary neutrality aligns with principles of fiscal restraint and limited government, making it a low-cost policy mechanism to enhance energy infrastructure security.

HB 1169 earns a “Yes” recommendation based on its targeted, fiscally neutral approach to enhancing energy infrastructure security without expanding the scope of government or imposing burdens on taxpayers or businesses. The bill tasks the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) with developing a comprehensive plan to protect oil and gas infrastructure from a wide array of threats—including natural disasters, cyberattacks, terrorism, and power outages—without granting the agency new regulatory or enforcement powers​.

Critically, HB 1169 does not grow the size of government in a material or structural way. The responsibility to create and update the protection plan falls within the RRC’s existing statutory authority and mission. No new agency is created, no rulemaking authority is added, and no new regulatory mandates are placed on industry or the public. The Commission is encouraged—but not required—to consult stakeholders, which ensures transparency and flexibility without introducing top-down mandates.

Moreover, the bill has no significant fiscal impact. As confirmed by the Legislative Budget Board, any associated costs can be absorbed within the RRC’s current budget and staffing, meaning the bill does not increase the tax burden on Texans​. It also imposes no obligations on local governments or businesses, preserving the principle of limited government.

In terms of liberty principles, the bill supports free enterprise by helping ensure the continuity and resilience of Texas’s vital oil and gas sector. It avoids infringing on private property rights, imposes no new regulations, and respects individual liberty by steering clear of mandates or surveillance provisions. Its narrow focus on strategic planning and risk mitigation, using existing resources and administrative channels, makes it a responsible and prudent measure consistent with core principles of good governance. Texas  Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HB 1169.

• Individual Liberty: The bill does not restrict or interfere with individual freedoms. By helping prevent disruptions to energy infrastructure (e.g., fuel shortages, blackouts), it indirectly supports individual liberty by protecting access to critical services during emergencies. It also avoids overreach—there are no surveillance powers, mandates, or penalties introduced.
• Personal Responsibility: HB 1169 places responsibility for planning and coordination on a public agency (the Railroad Commission), rather than on individuals or private businesses. While this doesn't promote personal accountability directly, it also doesn’t undermine it. The bill simply ensures that infrastructure resilience is being coordinated at a state level, where large-scale risk management is appropriate.
• Free Enterprise: This bill supports a healthy business environment by reducing the risk of economic disruption from disasters or attacks. It helps oil and gas companies operate with more security and predictability, without adding red tape. There are no new regulations, permits, or compliance requirements for the industry, preserving a market-friendly approach.
• Private Property Rights: The bill does not affect ownership or use of private property. It does not grant the state any new authority to seize land, impose restrictions, or interfere with private holdings. The protection plan is advisory and strategic—not regulatory.
• Limited Government: HB 1169 respects the principle of limited government by: Not creating a new agency, Not granting new rulemaking powers, Not increasing taxes or spending, And not imposing mandates on private actors. It asks an existing agency to perform a planning function that fits within its existing duties, using current resources. This is a restrained and focused approach to a legitimate public concern