Rep. Ben Bumgarner

Maddy summarySB 1804 requires courts to order defendants convicted of trafficking or prostitution-related offenses (under Texas Penal Code Chapters 20A or 43) to pay restitution for victims' tattoo removal costs incurred through force, fraud, or coercion. It amends Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to explicitly include "reasonable and necessary costs of tattoo removal" as a covered expense under mandatory restitution. This applies to all victims of these specific crimes, not limited to minors. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates January 12 as Nathan Gage Ingram Day in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035, honoring U.S. Navy SEAL Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram. The resolution commemorates Ingram, who died on January 12, 2024, while attempting to rescue a fellow SEAL during a mission off Somalia’s coast. It has no policy impact beyond establishing an annual observance to recognize his service and sacrifice.

Maddy summaryHB 640 clarifies that during election periods, election authorities (like county or city offices) must be open on "regular business days" - defined as days when their main office is typically open for business. The bill specifically notes that for independent school districts, this means the school district's main business office hours apply. It directly affects election offices and voters needing access to these locations during voting periods. The change takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not alter existing voting procedures or requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 3749, known as "Jenifer's Law," establishes new regulations for elective intravenous (IV) therapy in Texas, defined as non-emergency treatments (like hydration or vitamin infusions) sought for temporary wellness or symptom relief, not administered in hospitals, licensed health facilities, or physician offices. The law allows physicians to delegate prescribing and administering such therapy to physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, and registered nurses, but only under direct physician supervision. It prohibits these services in specific settings (e.g., hospitals or clinics) and requires prescriptive agreements to count toward existing limits under Texas law. The law took effect September 1, 2025, applying to all elective IV therapy provided after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 3214 modifies Texas' master plumber license eligibility requirements by reducing the required journeyman plumber experience from four years to two years. It allows applicants to qualify with either two years of experience or one year of experience plus completion of a nationally recognized apprenticeship program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. The bill applies only to new license applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, leaving existing applications and current license holders unaffected. All other requirements - including passing exams and supervision duties - remain unchanged under the revised rules.

Maddy summaryHB 3815 creates two new specialty license plates for Texas drivers: one for all U.S. Army Rangers (active or former unit members or Ranger School graduates) and another specifically for members of the 75th Ranger Regiment. The plates must feature designated insignia - such as the Ranger tab or 75th Regiment insignia - along with the words "U.S. Army Ranger" or "75th Army Ranger Regiment." This bill amends Texas Transportation Code to add these plate options, effective September 1, 2025. It directly affects eligible Army Rangers and their families who wish to display these plates.

Maddy summaryHB 43 amends Texas law to update the definition of "agricultural business" in the Agriculture Code, explicitly including rural recreational businesses (like hiking or fishing on farmland) and nonprofit land conservation groups. It also revises the composition of the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority's board, requiring the governor to appoint nine members with specific representation: two young farmers/ranchers, two representatives from rural entities (chambers, trade associations), and others with agricultural lending expertise. These changes directly affect entities applying for the Authority's loan and grant programs, such as farmers, ranchers, rural tourism businesses, and conservation nonprofits. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, after passing both chambers unanimously.

Maddy summaryHB 5509 allows Texas municipalities to suspend or revoke a hotel's certificate of occupancy if law enforcement provides an affidavit of probable cause and a court issues a finding of probable cause regarding human trafficking activity occurring at the hotel. The law requires municipalities to follow the same procedural standards used for suspending other business certificates of occupancy. It explicitly states this does not create private lawsuits for hotel owners and defines "human trafficking activity" as offenses under Texas Penal Code Sections 20A.02 or 20A.03. The bill took effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025. This law directly affects hotels in Texas municipalities where human trafficking is suspected, creating a specific process for local government action.

Maddy summaryHB 127 creates the Higher Education Research Security Council to protect universities from foreign espionage risks. The council, made up of security officers from university systems and select research institutions, will identify best practices for securing academic research while mitigating threats from foreign adversaries. It directly affects public and private research-focused universities in Texas, particularly those designated as "tier one" institutions. The bill establishes this council as a formal body to coordinate security efforts across higher education, without changing existing trade secret laws. The council’s role is limited to advising institutions on security protocols, not enforcing new penalties.

Maddy summarySB 1596 amends Texas Penal Code Section 46.05(a) to explicitly prohibit the possession, manufacture, transportation, repair, or sale of short-barrel firearms without proper registration or classification as a curio/antique. The bill directly affects individuals and businesses handling such firearms, adding them to existing prohibitions alongside machine guns and explosive devices. Key provisions include defining short-barrel firearms as illegal under the law (effective September 1, 2025) and establishing limited exceptions for antique/curio items or specific organizations. The bill repeals a prior Penal Code section (46.01(10)) and clarifies that new restrictions apply only to offenses occurring on or after the effective date.