Relating to the applicability of certain safety provisions and regulatory fees administered by the Railroad Commission of Texas to gas distribution pipelines.

HB 4042 amends Texas law to adjust regulatory fees and safety provisions for gas distribution pipelines operated by utilities. It requires pipeline operators to pay annual fees based on service lines ($1 per line) or master metered systems ($100 per system), due March 15 or June 30 each year. Operators must recover these fees through rate surcharges, excluding them from municipal franchise fees, certain taxes, and sales tax calculations. The bill directly affects investor-owned and cooperative natural gas distribution companies in Texas. These changes take effect September 1, 2025.