Amend CSSB 1 (house committee report) in Article VIII of the bill, following the appropriations to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (page VIII-50), by adding the following appropriately numbered rider:

____.  Advanced Nuclear Development Zone Study. Out of amounts appropriated above to the Public Utility Commission of Texas for the state fiscal biennium ending August 31, 2027, that may be used for that purpose, not later than December 1, 2026, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, in coordination with the Texas Energy Fund Advisory Committee, shall develop and submit to the legislature a study of potential siting opportunities in economically distressed or energy-insecure border regions in this state. The study must consider appropriate criteria for siting opportunities, including grid capacity constraints, industrial load growth, potential growth in domestic manufacturing, proximity to educational or workforce institutions, and existing state infrastructure.