Texas House Rep. Cortez authors bill clarifying solar roof tiles as solar energy devices

Passed bill authored by State Rep. Philip Cortez seeks to clarify the definition of solar energy devices to include solar roof tiles, aiming to align property and tax code terminology in Texas, according to the Texas Legislature website.

In the House, 56 Democrats and 73 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while one Democrat and 13 Republicans opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 11 Democrats and 20 Republicans voted in favor, with no opposing votes.

Philip Cortez introduced the bill in the Texas House on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, ahead of the official start of the 89th regular legislative session on Jan. 14, 2025.

Cortez graduated from Palo Alto Community College in 2000 with an AA and again in 2002 from the University of Texas with a BA.

Cortez, a Democrat, was elected to the Texas State House in 2017 to represent the state’s 117th House district, replacing previous state representative Rick Galindo.

According to the Texas Legislature, the bill’s official text was summarized as follows: ‘Relating to the regulation by a property owners’ association of the installation of solar roof tiles’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends Section 202.010(a)(2) of the Property Code to include solar roof tiles under the definition of “solar energy device,” which is consistent with the meaning assigned by Section 171.107 of the Tax Code. The amendment is intended to clarify existing law rather than effect any changes. The bill stipulates that it will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote in both legislative houses. Should the necessary votes not be secured for immediate implementation, the bill will take effect on Sept. 1, 2025.

The bill was co-authored by Rep. Eddie Morales Jr. (Democrat – District 74), Rep. Penny Morales Shaw (Democrat – District 148), and Rep. Mihaela Plesa (Democrat – District 70).

The bill received its final legislative approval on Monday, May 19, and was filed without the Governor’s signature on Thursday, May 29.

Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.