Rep. Keith Bell

Maddy summaryHB 3976 waives license renewal fees for faculty members teaching in high-demand licensed professions at Texas public colleges and universities. It specifically applies to instructors in fields like nursing, pharmacy, engineering, plumbing, electrical work, and certain teaching roles (e.g., bilingual education), as defined in the bill. The waiver eliminates the standard renewal fee for these educators when they teach in their licensed field, reducing costs for public institutions. The policy takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas lawmakers to exempt up to $125,000 of the market value of business-used tangible personal property (like equipment or vehicles) from property tax. It would directly affect business owners who hold such property for income generation, such as small business operators or farmers. The amendment would revise the state constitution to authorize this specific exemption amount, replacing the current exemption structure. If approved by voters in November 2025, this would become a permanent constitutional provision enabling future legislation to implement the tax break. The bill is now headed to the November ballot after passing both legislative chambers.

Maddy summaryHB 3466 amends Texas law to clarify which consumer transactions are exempt from standard cancellation rules under the Business & Commerce Code. It specifically exempts six types of transactions: farm equipment purchases, insurance sales regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance, sales under existing revolving charge accounts, real estate transactions involving licensed professionals, service contracts regulated under Occupations Code Chapter 1304, and services with written cancellation rights. The bill does not create new consumer protections but defines boundaries for existing cancellation rules. It applies only to transactions occurring on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 856 amends Texas labor law to clarify how specific entities can use the skills development fund for workforce training. It directly affects public community colleges, workforce boards, and Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station/Extension Service by allowing them to recover costs for customized training programs when there’s a local labor shortage and wages meet prevailing rates. Key provisions require that training programs address unmet workforce needs and that Texas A&M entities prioritize statewide initiatives or programs unavailable through local colleges. The bill also permits fund use for business networks and consortiums, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1794 amends Texas law to permit licensed handgun carriers to carry concealed handguns on polling place premises during elections or early voting. It specifically allows holders of valid concealed handgun licenses (CHL) to possess only a concealed handgun at these locations, provided no other weapons are carried. The bill removes the current prohibition against concealed weapons at polling places for CHL holders, aligning with existing exceptions for other locations like schools. This change directly affects licensed handgun carriers participating in elections but does not permit open carry or other weapons. The amendment modifies Section 46.03(a)(2) of the Penal Code to create this specific exception.

Maddy summaryHB 3290 amends Texas Property Code to extend the time owners must reserve funds for mechanic's lien claimants after construction work is completed. Specifically, owners must keep 10% of the contract price or completed work value reserved for either 31 days after work completion or 61 days after a building receives a certificate of occupancy or is first used - whichever comes first. This applies only to new construction contracts entered into on or after September 1, 2025, affecting property owners and contractors in Texas. The bill does not change the 10% reservation requirement but adjusts the duration for which funds must be held to protect unpaid subcontractors and suppliers.

Maddy summaryHB 199 adjusts the maximum unemployment benefits an individual can receive in a benefit year in Texas based on the state's unemployment rate. It sets a sliding scale where the maximum benefit amount equals 14 to 27 times the individual's weekly benefit rate, depending on the state's unemployment rate (e.g., 14x for rates ≤6.5%, up to 27x for rates >10%). The bill affects all Texas unemployment insurance recipients during their benefit year, using the previous quarter's U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data to determine the rate tier. The changes apply only to claims filed on or after January 1, 2026, with existing claims governed by prior law.

Maddy summaryHB 4840 changes how Texas city governments appoint commissioners to public housing authorities. It allows cities to choose 5, 7, 9, or 11 commissioners (instead of a fixed number) and prohibits appointing city employees to these roles. For small housing authorities with 150 units or fewer, cities no longer must appoint tenant or housing assistance recipients as commissioners if they cannot find eligible applicants within 60 days of a vacancy. The bill directly affects all Texas municipalities operating public housing authorities, with changes taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3191 creates a franchise tax credit for Texas businesses that contribute to employee child-care costs and establishes an Employer Child-Care Contribution Partnership Program. The bill requires the Texas Workforce Commission to maintain a website with resources for employers on child care access, including tax credits, dependent care savings accounts, and best practices. It authorizes a state match for employer contributions to help fund high-quality child care for working parents. The bill directly affects taxable businesses making qualifying child-care contributions and their employee parents seeking affordable care. It also mandates a study on child care access and availability across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. It directs the transfer of $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026. The fund will provide grants for research, prevention programs, and treatment development related to dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related disorders. The institute will oversee funding for research institutions, medical facilities, and collaborative efforts across Texas, directly benefiting residents affected by these conditions through expanded research and prevention initiatives.