Relating to a scoring system for all permit applications within the jurisdiction of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

HB 4981 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to use a scoring system for all permit applications. The system prioritizes community input (55% of the score) based on local government resolutions, neighborhood group statements, and input from state legislators representing the affected area, while legal requirements account for 45% of the score. Applications must score at least 75% to be approved, and the TCEQ must publish the scoring details online. This applies only to permit applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025.