Rep. Cecil Bell

Maddy summaryHB 2012 allows counties with populations over 1.3 million (or adjacent to counties over 4 million) to regulate roadside and parking lot vendors/solicitors in unincorporated areas. It authorizes county commissioners to control food/merchandise sales (including live animals), vendor structures, and money solicitation on public roads or in parking lots. The law applies only to unincorporated areas outside city limits and takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects vendors operating in those specific counties' rural or suburban zones.

Maddy summaryHB 3441 creates legal liability for vaccine manufacturers who advertise a harmful vaccine within Texas. It defines "advertise" broadly to include paid promotions across media (TV, internet, influencers), but excludes doctor-patient discussions or clinic materials. If a manufacturer's advertised vaccine causes injury, victims can sue within three years for actual damages, attorney fees, and court costs. The law applies only to cases where harm occurs on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2965 (effective September 1, 2025) clarifies the process when a municipality annexes territory from an emergency services district. It requires the municipality to send written notice to the district board within 30 days of annexation, including a service plan if needed. The district board must then approve or disapprove the removal within 30 days; failure to act means the territory is automatically removed. This affects municipalities annexing territory and emergency services districts losing territory, ensuring the municipality can provide equal or better emergency services before the territory leaves the district.

Maddy summaryHB 20 establishes Texas' Applied Sciences Pathway program, allowing high school students to earn both diplomas and industry certificates through school-college partnerships. It requires courses in 20 specific high-wage, high-growth fields like plumbing, welding, IT, and oil/gas exploration, with a focus on successful job placement rates. Partnerships must offer non-duplicative, progressive coursework leading to both diplomas and certificates in these sectors. The program begins for the 2027-2028 school year, with industries reviewed every five years to match labor market needs.

Maddy summarySB 17 restricts certain foreign governments and entities from purchasing or acquiring title to specific types of real property in Texas if such ownership poses a risk to public health, safety, or welfare. It prohibits purchases of agricultural land, commercial, industrial, residential property, mines, minerals, or timber by organizations or governments from "designated countries" (identified by U.S. intelligence as national security risks). Exceptions include U.S. citizens/permanent residents, entities owned by them, homestead properties, and leaseholds under 100 years. The law creates a new Property Code Subchapter H (Sections 5.251-5.254) to implement these restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 14 creates the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office within the Governor's office to support the state's nuclear energy industry. The bill defines "advanced nuclear projects" to include facilities using next-generation reactors (like small modular reactors), fuel cycle operations, and associated technologies. The office will provide strategic leadership, develop public outreach programs, and promote job creation in advanced manufacturing while advancing nuclear energy for reliable power generation. This law directly affects Texas nuclear developers, utilities, and communities involved in nuclear facility projects. The office is authorized until September 1, 2040.

Maddy summaryHB 4370 expands the types of projects public improvement districts, municipal management districts, water control districts, fresh water supply districts, and municipal utility districts can fund. It adds specific provisions allowing districts to finance affordable housing development (Section 372.003(b)(15)), geothermal water facility maintenance (Section 372.003(b-2)), and special services like public safety or business recruitment. The bill also clarifies how costs for improvements can be paid, including through combinations of methods for projects benefiting municipalities or approved entities. This policy change directly affects these specialized districts by broadening their authorized project scope under Texas Local Government Code.

Maddy summaryHB 102 requires Texas public universities to offer early registration for courses and programs to students in military-related programs who are in good standing. Specifically, it mandates this for students enrolled in ROTC programs, cadet corps (including at senior military colleges), or maritime academies. The law, effective for the 2026 spring semester, obligates institutions to provide this early registration opportunity on the same basis as other designated student groups. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will develop rules to implement this requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 33, titled the "Uvalde Strong Act," requires Texas public and charter schools to comply with additional safety and operational requirements related to active shooter incidents and emergencies. It amends the Education Code to mandate adherence to existing rules covering student data systems, criminal background checks, discipline practices, health/safety protocols, bullying prevention, and staff reporting obligations. The bill directly affects all public and charter schools by expanding their compliance obligations under current safety frameworks. It does not create new rules but requires schools to follow more existing provisions related to emergency preparedness and student safety. The law took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 718 prohibits public universities in Texas from partnering with private companies to build student housing if those companies have unresolved unpaid bills from contractors, subcontractors, or vendors. This applies to contracts entered into on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting public institutions of higher education when selecting housing development partners. Exceptions allow partnerships if the private entity has a payment bond or is contesting the claim in good faith. The law aims to prevent universities from working with entities facing financial disputes over construction payments.