Sen. Brent Hagenbuch

Maddy summaryHB 5115 increases criminal penalties for election fraud in Texas by elevating the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a second-degree felony under Election Code Section 276.013. It directly affects individuals who commit specific election fraud acts, such as tampering with ballots, voting for deceased voters, or counting invalid votes. The bill amends the law to impose harsher penalties for these violations, excluding certain scenarios like election officials acting in their official capacity (which remains a state jail felony) or attempted offenses (classified as a third-degree felony). This change applies only to offenses committed on or after its September 1, 2025 effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1024 requires law enforcement to promptly execute arrest warrants for parolees or individuals under mandatory supervision who violate electronic monitoring conditions while participating in the "super-intensive supervision program." It directly affects individuals on strict parole or supervision with electronic monitoring requirements. The bill mandates that warrants issued for such electronic monitoring violations must be acted upon "as soon as practicable" by law enforcement agencies. This change applies only to warrants issued on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 493 amends Texas election law to clarify who cannot serve as a poll watcher. It requires poll watchers to sign an affidavit confirming they will not use recording devices during their service and that they have not been convicted of certain felonies (including first/second-degree felonies or election-related offenses). The bill directly affects individuals seeking to serve as poll watchers, making them ineligible if they meet these disqualification criteria. These changes take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 868 requires at least 10% of annual state funds for rural volunteer fire department assistance to be allocated to departments in areas classified as high-risk for large wildfires by the state wildfire service. This directly affects rural volunteer fire departments located in these high-risk zones. The bill establishes that if these departments request less than the allocated amount, the remaining funds can be used for other eligible fire department assistance requests. The provision applies only to funds appropriated on or after September 1, 2025, the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 2026 designates a 12-mile stretch of State Highway 25 in Archer County (between Archer City and Windthorst) as the "U.S. Army Gary C. and U.S.M.C. Gary S. Johnston Memorial Highway" to honor two military veterans. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of the highway segment and at intermediate points along the route. This is a ceremonial designation with no funding or regulatory changes, taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates new civil remedies for victims of financial exploitation using AI-generated media (like deepfakes) or phishing communications. It allows individuals to sue perpetrators for actual damages - including mental anguish and the perpetrator's profits - and to seek court orders halting further dissemination. The bill also imposes a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per day for violations, enforceable by the Texas Attorney General. Platforms like social media companies are exempt from liability under this law, as they are protected by federal Section 230.

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 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 5658 proposes creating the Craver Ranch Municipal Management District No. 1 in Denton, Texas, to support economic development in the area. The district would have authority to issue bonds for infrastructure, impose property assessments and fees to fund services, and use limited eminent domain for specific projects. It directly affects property owners within the district boundaries by subjecting them to these financial obligations. The bill clarifies the district is intended to supplement, not replace, existing city services while promoting employment, housing, tourism, and public welfare under Texas Constitution provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 647 allows Texas driver's license holders who have had vision-correcting surgery to remove restrictions requiring corrective lenses. To qualify, license holders must submit a written statement from a licensed physician or optometrist confirming surgical correction and pay a required fee. The Texas Department of Public Safety must then mail a new license without the restriction, except for individuals required to register under Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (sex offender registry). The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and changes the process for removing this specific license restriction.