HB 14

"What’s Really in HB 14: A Bill You Were Never Meant to Read Closely

Texas House Bill 14 was sold as a bold step toward clean energy. It promises to bring advanced nuclear reactors to Texas and boost jobs. That’s the headline. But if you actually read the fine print, this bill is a roadmap for handing over massive public funds—with almost no public oversight.

HB 14 creates a new nuclear energy office inside the Governor’s office. Not in an independent agency. Not under legislative review. Just tucked neatly under the executive branch, controlled by a political appointee.

That office can now give out up to $200 million per reactor project in public grants—directly to private companies. No bidding. No competitive process. And worst of all? All grant applications are confidential. That means Texans aren’t even allowed to know who applied, how much they asked for, or what promises were made.

The only people who can block these grants are the Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House. That’s it. No public board. No citizen input. No watchdog agency. Just backroom discretion with your money.

And it gets worse:

There are no caps on administrative costs. So contractors can skim off as much overhead as they want.

The office sunsets in 2035. But the reactors could run for 60 years or more—without a long-term plan for oversight, maintenance, or public accountability.

This bill weakens local input. There’s no clear path for cities or rural communities to say “no” if a nuclear project shows up on their doorstep.

And this isn’t about just one energy project. This bill creates a playbook for how future funding for AI, carbon capture, or data infrastructure could be quietly handed out—away from the public eye.

So who wins?
Corporate energy giants. Lobby-backed PACs. Firms already plugged into the statehouse.

Who loses?
Everyone else. Taxpayers. Local communities. Small businesses. Anyone who expects transparency, accountability, or a fair shot.

HB 14 isn’t just about energy. It’s about power—and who gets to hold it without being questioned.

If you care about where your tax dollars go, how your community is affected, or how fast political insiders are gaining control of our public funds, then this bill should concern you.

Stay informed. Speak up. And don’t just read the headlines. Read the laws."