Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that limits the liability of kiln operators whose activities cause seismic disturbances if the kiln facility was built before neighboring facilities in Texas.

Highlights:

• Limits the liability of kiln operators whose activities cause seismic disturbances if the kiln facility was built before neighboring facilities in Texas (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that an owner or operator of a facility operating under a new source review permit issued under this chapter that authorizes the operation of a Portland cement kiln, or the production of aggregates at an aggregate production operation, is not liable for the following, including (Sec. 1):

• Damages to a semiconductor wafer manufacturing facility resulting from seismic or vibrational disturbances caused by the cement or aggregate production facility owner’s; or 

• Operator’s activities on the site of the cement or aggregate production facility, if the cement or aggregate production facility began operating before the date the semiconductor wafer manufacturing facility began operating.

• Defines “Portland cement kiln” as a system, including any solid, gaseous, or liquid fuel combustion equipment, used to calcine and fuse raw materials, including limestone and clay, to produce Portland cement clinker (Sec. 1).

• Defines “Semiconductor wafer manufacturing facility” as a manufacturing facility that conducts any of the following (Sec. 1):

• Processes concerning semiconductor production:

• Growing single-crystal ingots or boules;

• Wafer slicing;

• Etching and polishing;

• Bonding;

• Cleaning;

• Pitaxial deposition; or

• Metrology.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect September 1, 2025 (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that limits the liability of kiln operators whose activities cause seismic disturbances if the kiln facility was built before neighboring facilities in Texas.

Highlights:

• Limits the liability of kiln operators whose activities cause seismic disturbances if the kiln facility was built before neighboring facilities in Texas (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that an owner or operator of a facility operating under a new source review permit issued under this chapter that authorizes the operation of a Portland cement kiln, or the production of aggregates at an aggregate production operation, is not liable for the following, including (Sec. 1):

• Damages to a semiconductor wafer manufacturing facility resulting from seismic or vibrational disturbances caused by the cement or aggregate production facility owner’s; or 

• Operator’s activities on the site of the cement or aggregate production facility, if the cement or aggregate production facility began operating before the date the semiconductor wafer manufacturing facility began operating.

• Defines “Portland cement kiln” as a system, including any solid, gaseous, or liquid fuel combustion equipment, used to calcine and fuse raw materials, including limestone and clay, to produce Portland cement clinker (Sec. 1).

• Defines “Semiconductor wafer manufacturing facility” as a manufacturing facility that conducts any of the following (Sec. 1):

• Processes concerning semiconductor production:

• Growing single-crystal ingots or boules;

• Wafer slicing;

• Etching and polishing;

• Bonding;

• Cleaning;

• Pitaxial deposition; or

• Metrology.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect September 1, 2025 (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text