Rep. Cecil Bell

Maddy summaryHB 4226 exempts nonprofit food banks and specific housing providers from Texas state sales, use, and rental taxes on motor vehicles they purchase, use, or rent. It directly affects food banks (as defined in Section 162.001) and housing providers serving homeless individuals with disabilities who meet strict criteria (continuously homeless for 1+ year or four homelessness episodes in 3 years). The bill adds new Tax Code sections requiring vehicles to be used "primarily" for the organization's core services. This exemption applies only to vehicles acquired on or after its September 1, 2025 effective date. The law was signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 75 requires magistrates in Texas to provide written findings within 24 hours when they determine no probable cause exists for a criminal arrest. This applies specifically to cases involving offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025. The law aims to create a clear, documented record of the magistrate's decision in these initial proceedings. It directly affects magistrates handling pretrial detention hearings for criminal defendants.

Maddy summaryHB 1875 requires the Texas General Land Office, working with the Texas Veterans Commission, to study access barriers veterans face when seeking burial plots in state veterans cemeteries and identify ways to improve cemetery operations (including locations, maintenance, and other needs). The study must be completed by April 1, 2026, with a final report submitted to legislative leaders and committees. This bill directly affects Texas veterans seeking burial services and the state’s veterans cemeteries, though it does not create new laws - only directing a study to inform future action. The bill took effect September 1, 2025, and expires September 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1481 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt written policies prohibiting student use of personal communication devices (such as cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches) during the school day on school property or at school events. Exceptions allow device use for students with documented medical needs, individualized education plans (IEPs), or health/safety protocols. Schools may implement either a full device ban or a secure storage system for devices during school hours, and must return confiscated devices or dispose of them after providing parents 90 days' written notice. The law takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature.

Maddy summaryHB 685 prohibits Texas municipalities from charging higher water or sewer rates to tax-exempt entities (like nonprofits, schools, or government facilities) compared to similar non-exempt entities receiving the same service. It requires equal rate structures for comparable utility service regardless of an entity's tax-exempt status. The law, effective September 1, 2025, amends the Local Government Code to establish this non-discrimination standard for municipal utility rates. This directly affects municipalities setting utility rates and tax-exempt organizations receiving water/sewer service.

Maddy summaryHB 2011 allows property owners (or their heirs) to repurchase land taken through eminent domain if the government entity that acquired it fails to pay property taxes or abandons the intended public use. The bill specifies four conditions triggering this right: the public use is canceled, no progress was made toward the use within 10 years, the property becomes unnecessary for the use, or the entity fails to pay delinquent property taxes after the second anniversary of their due date. It requires the government entity to send certified notice to the former owner within 180 days of determining eligibility, detailing the property, the reason for the repurchase right, and how to exercise it. This law directly affects property owners whose land was acquired via eminent domain but remains unused or tax-delinquent. The bill amends Texas Property Code sections 21.101 and 21.102 to establish these procedures.

Maddy summarySB 2237 (Local Government Code §180.011) limits severance pay for executive employees of Texas local governments (including city managers, department heads, and school superintendents). It caps severance pay from tax revenue at 20 weeks' salary (excluding PTO/vacation) and prohibits severance if an employee is terminated for misconduct (including criminal conduct). All severance agreements must be posted online by the local government, and new agreements or disputes after September 1, 2025, must comply. This bill directly affects executive-level employees in cities, counties, school districts, and charter schools.

Maddy summaryHB 6 amends Texas Education Code Section 12.111 to update requirements for charter schools. The bill specifically adds new criteria allowing charter schools to exclude students who were expelled under Section 37.007, placed in disciplinary alternative education programs under Section 37.006, or have documented criminal histories or discipline problems. While the bill title mentions telehealth mental health services in public schools, the provided text does not detail provisions for telehealth access. The legislation primarily affects charter schools by modifying their student admission policies and discipline management standards. HB 6 was signed into law by the governor on June 20, 2025, and is now effective.

Maddy summaryHB 300 increases the maximum Texas Armed Services Scholarship to $30,000 per academic year (up from $15,000), capping at the average cost of attendance at Texas colleges. It expands appointment authority, allowing the governor and lieutenant governor to each appoint two students annually, and each state senator or representative to appoint one student, with deadlines set for September 30. The bill directly affects Texas students enrolled in ROTC or similar military commissioning programs at Texas colleges, requiring proof of program enrollment or acceptance into the Texas State Guard. These changes are effective immediately after the bill was signed by the governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Texas Water Code to change rules for businesses using general permits to discharge waste into state waters. It requires the state environmental agency to actively authorize a business to resume using a general permit after a denial or suspension, rather than allowing automatic reinstatement. The bill also prohibits the agency from using automatic processes to grant such authorization. These changes apply only to denials or suspensions occurring on or after September 1, 2025.