Rep. Keith Bell

Maddy summarySB 2 establishes a state-funded education savings account program in Texas, allowing eligible families to use public funds for approved educational expenses. The program directly affects Texas families with children who have disabilities or who live in low-income households (at or below 500% of the federal poverty level). The comptroller administers the program, funding accounts with state money that can cover approved education costs like tuition, books, or tutoring. The bill becomes effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 3, 2025. This creates a new state-funded option alongside public schools for participating families.

Maddy summaryHB 3288 prevents trustees from withholding or diverting trust funds tied to a construction project due to disputes unrelated to that specific project. It requires trustees to apply funds only to the contract that generated them, making it illegal to withhold money for other disputes (e.g., disagreements about separate projects). The law applies only to construction contracts entered into on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting contractors, developers, and trustees handling project-specific trust funds. This clarifies that misapplying funds during unrelated disputes constitutes a violation under Texas Property Code.

Maddy summaryHB 4317 limits severance pay for executive employees of Texas local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts). It requires that severance pay from tax revenue not exceed 20 weeks of the employee’s final salary (excluding vacation time) and prohibits it if the employee is terminated for misconduct. Political subdivisions must post all severance agreements online, and courts cannot enforce judgments violating these rules. The bill applies to new or renegotiated employment agreements entered into on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 54, titled "Relating to the display of and allowance for non-human behaviors in Texas schools," is a procedural bill that amends school discipline requirements. It mandates that Texas public school districts include specific factors in their student conduct codes, such as self-defense, intent, disability considerations, and homelessness status, when making disciplinary decisions like suspensions or expulsions. The bill requires schools to post these codes prominently and consider these factors in all disciplinary actions. It does not ban specific activities but standardizes how schools evaluate student behavior. The bill is currently pending in the Education Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1874 amends Texas law to clarify that master electricians may now perform all electrical work and electrical design work - including tasks previously restricted to master sign electricians - and supervise other electricians. It also allows master electricians to verify on-the-job training for various licenses (including master sign electrician and journeyman licenses) and serve as "master of record" for electrical sign contractors. This bill directly affects master electricians, electrical contractors, and training programs by expanding authorized duties under existing licensing rules. The changes take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1540 updates the sunset review schedules for several Texas state agencies and authorities. It sets an expiration date of September 1, 2027, for the Texas Lottery Commission, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and Department of Information Resources unless renewed through the sunset process. The Texas Ethics Commission and three river authorities (Angelina and Neches River Authority, Lower Neches Valley Authority, and Sabine River Authority) must undergo periodic reviews under the sunset process but cannot be abolished by it. The bill ensures these entities will face scheduled reviews every 12 years starting in 2027, maintaining their continued operation unless the legislature votes to terminate them.

Maddy summaryHB 363 requires petitioners seeking to create a municipal utility district to send certified mail notice to county commissioners courts at least 30 days before filing their petition with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The notice must describe the proposed district's boundaries (using exact location details) and inform counties of their right to respond, review the petition, and submit written opinions. This bill amends the Water Code to add Section 54.0135 (requiring the notice) and updates Section 54.015 (adding a requirement that petitions include a copy of this notice). It applies only to petitions filed on or after the bill's effective date, directly affecting counties and those proposing new utility districts.

Maddy summaryHB 1964 creates a legal right for farmers and agricultural operations to sue local governments (like counties or cities) if those governments enforce rules that violate Texas Agriculture Code provisions. The bill allows affected individuals to seek court orders to stop enforcement of such rules and recover legal fees and costs if they win their case. It applies only to lawsuits filed after the bill's effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote earlier). This directly affects farmers facing local enforcement actions and local governments that may be sued under this new provision. The law does not change existing agricultural regulations but provides a new remedy for disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain water districts to hold at least one in-person meeting each quarter at a location within the district or within 10 miles of its boundary. It applies only to districts in counties that border a county with 2.6 million or more residents and contain part of the Cedar Creek Reservoir. Districts may conduct other quarterly meetings via phone or video conference, but meetings discussing tax rates must be held in person. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5510, titled the Women and Child Protection Act, creates civil liability for distributing abortion-inducing drugs and establishes a private civil right of action against individuals or organizations that facilitate access to elective abortions. The bill directly affects abortion assistance organizations - defined as entities providing financial support, travel arrangements, childcare, or logistical services to enable abortions - as well as those distributing abortion-inducing drugs. Key provisions include authorizing private lawsuits for damages related to these activities and creating criminal offenses for certain violations. The law harmonizes existing abortion-related provisions in Texas law while focusing on civil enforcement mechanisms rather than criminal penalties for patients.