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Bill

Bill

HB 1199

Relating to emergency generators or other power sources for nursing facilities and assisted living facilities.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Christian Manuel and 1 co-sponsor

HB 1199 mandates Texas nursing and assisted living facilities maintain emergency generators or backup power to sustain operations during outages, protecting vulnerable elderly residents.

Left pending in committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1199

Legislative bill overview

HB 1199 requires nursing facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas to maintain emergency generators or alternative power sources to ensure continuity of care during power outages. The bill establishes standards for backup power capacity and likely includes provisions for testing, maintenance, and reporting requirements for these facilities.

Why is this important

Power outages in nursing facilities directly threaten vulnerable populations—elderly residents dependent on medical equipment, refrigeration for medications, and climate control. The 2021 Texas winter storm demonstrated catastrophic failures when facilities lost power, resulting in deaths and suffering. Mandating backup power systems protects public health and reduces preventable deaths during emergencies.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance costs: Nursing facilities and assisted living providers may face significant capital expenses for generator installation and ongoing maintenance, potentially affecting operating budgets and care quality investments
  • Technical standards disagreement: Facility operators may dispute what constitutes adequate backup power capacity, duration requirements, and fuel storage standards
  • Regulatory burden: Healthcare providers may argue excessive testing, inspection, and reporting requirements create administrative overhead without proportional safety gains

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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