Rep. Ben Bumgarner

Maddy summaryHB 113 modifies Texas law on how courts interpret statutes. It restricts courts from considering legislative intent (like statements from lawmakers or committee reports) when reading laws, requiring them to focus only on the plain text of the statute. The bill also prohibits courts from automatically deferring to state agencies' interpretations of laws, though reasonable agency views that match the statute's wording may still be considered. This directly affects courts, state agencies, and anyone involved in legal cases interpreting Texas laws. The changes aim to limit judicial interpretation methods and emphasize the written text of statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 1730 requires the University of Houston to lead a study on how perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (common in products like food packaging and firefighting gear) affect public health. The study must examine these chemicals in food and drink products, drinking water sources, and workplace materials used by firefighters and manufacturing workers. The University of Houston, working with Texas environmental agencies, must complete the study and submit a report to the legislature by December 1, 2026. The bill expires December 31, 2026, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2879 protects condo owners, tenants, and their guests from penalties like fines or eviction for using justified force (including deadly force) on residential property, as defined under Texas Penal Code Chapter 9. The bill creates an "irrebuttable presumption" that force was justified if the person was acquitted, a grand jury declined to indict, or prosecutors declined to file charges for the same incident. It applies to condominiums (via Property Code Section 82.122) and leased residential properties (via Sections 92.027 and 94.258), preventing associations or landlords from taking adverse action based on legally justified force. The law overrides any conflicting terms in property declarations or leases, regardless of when they were adopted.

Maddy summaryHB 2192 proposes to amend Texas law by adding four new authorized periods for retail fireworks sales: February 25-27, April 16-21, a week around Memorial Day (Wednesday before last Monday in May), and the Diwali holiday period. It directly affects retail fireworks permit holders, allowing them to sell to the public during these additional times if approved by a county commissioners court. The bill also specifies that sales near the Texas-Mexico border during May 1-5 remain permitted only in counties with prior approval. The proposed changes would take effect September 1, 2025, pending legislative approval.

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.

Maddy summarySJR 37 proposes a constitutional amendment to explicitly state that non-U.S. citizens cannot vote in Texas. It amends Article VI, Section 1(a) of the Texas Constitution by adding "persons who are not citizens of the United States" as a prohibited voting class. This would clarify existing voting eligibility rules by making citizenship a constitutional requirement, directly affecting non-citizen residents. The amendment must be approved by Texas voters in the November 4, 2025, election to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 2065 amends Texas law to clarify how the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESRS) manages its funding. It defines key terms like "legacy liability" (the unfunded pension debt as of August 2024) and creates new categories for tracking changes in the system's financial health, such as "liability gain layers" (reductions in debt) and "liability loss layers" (increases in debt). These changes standardize how the system's funding status is assessed and reported, requiring annual adjustments based on contributions and a 7% investment return assumption. The bill directly affects emergency service workers (like firefighters and EMTs) who rely on TESRS benefits, ensuring clearer accountability in managing the system's long-term financial obligations.

Maddy summaryHJR 175 proposes a constitutional amendment to protect Texans' right to own, hold, and use any form of money they agree to use - such as cash, digital currency, coins, or even private scrip - when buying goods or services. It prohibits government from restricting ownership or holding of any currency, though it explicitly states the state may still choose its own payment methods for transactions with itself. The amendment would require voter approval in the November 2025 election, with the ballot asking voters to support recognizing this right. This is a procedural proposal, not a new law, and would amend the Texas Constitution if approved by voters.

Maddy summarySB 1706 allows state agency boards to hold closed meetings specifically to discuss defense, military, or aerospace matters. It directly affects state governmental bodies (like local boards or commissions) that handle federal defense projects. The bill defines these matters as either establishing military bases/facilities in Texas or offering economic incentives tied to federal defense grants. The law amends Texas Open Meetings rules to permit this exception for those specific issues, without requiring public disclosure during deliberations. This is a procedural change, not a new policy on defense funding or facility location.

Maddy summaryHB 2203 modifies Texas law to limit liability clauses in construction contracts involving land surveyors. It makes void any contract term requiring contractors to pay for damages caused by a land surveyor's defects in surveys or negligence, or requiring land surveyors to pay for damages caused by owner negligence. The bill specifically affects construction contracts for buildings, roads, or other property improvements, directly impacting land surveyors, contractors, and property owners. It removes enforceable requirements for indemnifying parties in these specific liability scenarios.