Rep. Ben Bumgarner

Maddy summaryHB 3228 requires wind power facility operators (leaseholders) to include specific waste management provisions in their agreements with landowners. The bill mandates that operators must collect, reuse, or recycle reusable components (like turbine blades) and properly dispose of non-recyclable parts - hazardous materials at authorized facilities and non-hazardous waste at approved landfills. It also requires operators to provide financial assurance (e.g., bonds or letters of credit) to cover decommissioning costs. This law applies to wind facilities in Texas and took effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 100 prohibits Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools from using state funds to purchase or adopt instructional materials that contain obscene or harmful content or appear on the State Board of Education's rejected materials list. The bill requires the State Board to issue a 45-day notice before adding materials to the rejected list, allowing time for revisions. It also bans the use of any instructional materials - whether traditional or open education resources - listed as rejected, while permitting local funds for non-rejected materials. This law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year and became effective immediately after the governor signed it on June 20, 2025.

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 summarySCR 18 designates Trophy Club, Texas as the official "Texas Town of Patriotism" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution recognizes the town's longstanding community traditions, including daily flag displays, patriotic events like the Medal of Honor Motorcade, and named public spaces such as Freedom Dog Park. It does not create new laws or policies but formally honors Trophy Club's civic engagement efforts as documented in the resolution's supporting statements. The designation became effective after Governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryTexas SB 8 requires sheriffs in counties with 100,000+ residents to request agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that allow local officers to enforce federal immigration law. Smaller counties may voluntarily enter similar agreements. The bill creates a state grant program to cover costs for counties implementing these agreements, including personnel and resources needed for compliance. It directly affects Texas county sheriffs and law enforcement agencies participating in federal immigration enforcement programs.

Maddy summarySB 777 modifies Texas law governing collective bargaining between municipalities and employee unions. It requires arbitration boards to consider specific factors like job hazards, qualifications, and training when resolving disputes over compensation and working conditions. The bill establishes procedures for handling impasses in negotiations, including mandatory mediation efforts before arbitration. It directly affects city governments and their unionized employees across Texas by standardizing dispute resolution processes for employment terms.

Maddy summarySB 33 prohibits Texas governmental entities from using taxpayer funds to pay for or facilitate abortion-related services. It bans transactions with "abortion assistance entities" (organizations providing financial help, travel, childcare, or abortion drugs) or abortion providers for abortion procurement. The law specifically prevents government spending on logistical support like travel, lodging, childcare, or food to help individuals access abortion services. This applies to all state and local government entities and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4945 requires the Teacher Retirement System of Texas to study whether to offer alternative retirement benefits for wildland firefighters with the Texas A&M Forest Service. The study would assess two proposed benefit tiers: one for firefighters meeting specific age/service criteria (e.g., 55+ with 10 years or 25+ years service), and another for administrative staff supporting firefighting operations. The bill mandates the retirement system to evaluate costs and impacts of these options but does not implement any new benefits. This procedural bill, signed into law on June 20, 2025, is solely about conducting a feasibility study, not changing current retirement rules.

Maddy summaryHB 3053 prohibits municipalities and counties in Texas from organizing, sponsoring, or participating in firearm buyback programs. The bill specifically bans local governments from creating programs that aim to remove firearms from circulation, reduce civilian firearm ownership, or allow sales without criminal prosecution concerns. This law directly affects local governments by preventing them from implementing such buyback initiatives. The bill takes effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 119 requires lobbyists who communicate directly with Texas lawmakers to influence legislation on behalf of a "foreign adversary" (as defined by state law) to register with the state. It specifically prohibits receiving compensation for such lobbying activities from foreign adversaries or their designated representatives. The bill establishes civil penalties for violations, including fines for unauthorized lobbying or compensation. This law directly affects lobbyists working for foreign governments or entities designated as national security threats by U.S. authorities.