Sen. Brent Hagenbuch

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Texas rules for handling license plates during vehicle sales. It requires dealers to remove plates when selling vehicles to other dealers and mandates private sellers to get DMV approval before transferring plates to another vehicle they own. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles can also block dealers from accessing the plate database if fraud is suspected, after providing notice and a hearing opportunity. The bill, effective June 20, 2025, requires the DMV to adopt implementing rules by October 1, 2025. It directly affects auto dealers, vehicle sellers, and the DMV.

Maddy summaryHB 1106 amends Texas' Family Code definitions of child abuse and neglect. It explicitly states that a parent or guardian's refusal to affirm a child's gender identity (including using preferred names/pronouns) or sexual orientation does not constitute abuse. The bill also clarifies that neglect includes specific failures like withholding medical care or leaving a child in immediate danger, but the key change is excluding these gender/sexual orientation refusals from abuse definitions. This directly affects parents, guardians, and child welfare systems in Texas by altering what legally qualifies as abuse under state law.

Maddy summarySB 2807, effective September 1, 2025, prevents motor carriers from using safety improvements (such as devices, software, or training programs designed to enhance road safety) as a factor in determining whether a driver is an employee or independent contractor under Texas law. The bill directly affects motor carriers and their drivers by ensuring that safety requirements - intended to protect drivers and public safety - cannot be used to reclassify drivers as independent contractors. This change clarifies that employment status decisions must be based on other factors, not on compliance with safety measures.

Maddy summaryHB 20 establishes Texas' Applied Sciences Pathway program, allowing high school students to earn both diplomas and industry certificates through school-college partnerships. It requires courses in 20 specific high-wage, high-growth fields like plumbing, welding, IT, and oil/gas exploration, with a focus on successful job placement rates. Partnerships must offer non-duplicative, progressive coursework leading to both diplomas and certificates in these sectors. The program begins for the 2027-2028 school year, with industries reviewed every five years to match labor market needs.

Maddy summaryHB 2898 requires developers to submit detailed advance notice to the Texas Department of Transportation before erecting temporary meteorological towers used to assess wind resources for potential wind farms. The notice must include tower location coordinates, height, owner information, and erection dates, submitted 30 days in advance via the department’s website. Owners must also update the department if any details change after initial submission. This bill directly affects wind energy companies and site assessors planning to install these towers, adding a standardized notification process to ensure safety and coordination with federal radar facilities. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2017 (Grayson's Law) increases penalties for repeat intoxication manslaughter convictions in Texas. It upgrades certain cases to a first-degree felony and prohibits probation or early release for offenders with prior convictions related to operating vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft while intoxicated. The bill mandates that individuals convicted under these provisions must serve at least 10 years of actual time in prison (without credit for good behavior) before becoming eligible for parole or mandatory supervision. These changes apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 17 restricts certain foreign governments and entities from purchasing or acquiring title to specific types of real property in Texas if such ownership poses a risk to public health, safety, or welfare. It prohibits purchases of agricultural land, commercial, industrial, residential property, mines, minerals, or timber by organizations or governments from "designated countries" (identified by U.S. intelligence as national security risks). Exceptions include U.S. citizens/permanent residents, entities owned by them, homestead properties, and leaseholds under 100 years. The law creates a new Property Code Subchapter H (Sections 5.251-5.254) to implement these restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 2407 increases criminal penalties for sex offenders who fail to comply with registration requirements in Texas. Specifically, it raises penalties to the next highest felony category if: (1) the offender has prior convictions under these registration laws, or (2) they fraudulently used fake identification during the offense. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, meaning past violations remain governed by previous law. This change directly affects sex offenders who miss registration deadlines or provide false information, making non-compliance a more severe criminal offense under updated sentencing rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2757 allows Texas public school districts to create a policy enabling children of active-duty foreign military members stationed in Texas to establish their age for school admission by demonstrating they will turn the required age during the school year they apply. This directly affects children of foreign military personnel who might otherwise face strict age cutoffs for enrollment. The key provision lets school boards waive standard age requirements if a child meets the age threshold during the upcoming school year, rather than by a fixed date. The law took effect immediately upon the Governor's signature on June 20, 2025, applying to the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 14 creates the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office within the Governor's office to support the state's nuclear energy industry. The bill defines "advanced nuclear projects" to include facilities using next-generation reactors (like small modular reactors), fuel cycle operations, and associated technologies. The office will provide strategic leadership, develop public outreach programs, and promote job creation in advanced manufacturing while advancing nuclear energy for reliable power generation. This law directly affects Texas nuclear developers, utilities, and communities involved in nuclear facility projects. The office is authorized until September 1, 2040.