Sen. Brent Hagenbuch

Maddy summarySB 2705 exempts farm trailers, semitrailers, tractors, and farm equipment under 4,000 pounds from vehicle registration when operated temporarily on highways. It also removes fees for specialty license plates for volunteer firefighters, certified fire protection personnel, and specific fire service organizations. The bill modifies Texas Transportation Code sections to eliminate registration fees for qualifying farm vehicles and special plate fees for these firefighter-related plates. These changes take effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting Texas farmers using small equipment and fire service organizations seeking specialty plates.

Maddy summarySB 1730 prevents civil lawsuits seeking damages for injuries or death resulting from the use of force or deadly force if the defendant was not criminally charged, had charges dismissed, or was acquitted in a criminal case. The bill requires claimants whose lawsuits are blocked under this law to pay the defendant’s court costs and reasonable attorney fees. It applies only to new cases filed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect cases that accrued before that date. This bill directly impacts individuals seeking compensation from police or others who used force in situations where criminal proceedings did not result in charges.

Maddy summarySB 1798 prohibits public Texas universities from using state funds - including scholarships, grants, or other financial aid - to support students who are not lawfully present in the United States under federal law. The bill requires university governing boards to certify annual compliance with this rule to the legislature and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and mandates state audits to ensure institutions aren’t violating the restriction. It also establishes penalties, including loss of future funding increases, if violations aren’t corrected within 180 days. The law directly affects undocumented students seeking state-funded financial support at public colleges and universities. The bill does not change tuition rates but targets the use of state money for non-eligible students.

Maddy summarySB 1377 creates a grant program to provide financial assistance to rural counties in Texas with populations of 68,750 or less. Qualified ambulance service providers in these counties can receive grants up to $500,000 (for counties under 10,000 people) or $350,000 (for counties between 10,000 and 68,750 people) to purchase ambulances. Counties must use the funds exclusively for ambulance purchases within five years and cannot reduce ambulance service budgets with this money. The comptroller administers the program, prioritizing counties farther from trauma centers and those with limited ability to fund ambulance services independently.

Maddy summarySB 317 establishes rules for removing, relocating, or altering monuments or memorials on public property in Texas. For state-owned monuments that have stood for 25 years or more, removal or alteration requires a two-thirds vote from both legislative chambers; newer state monuments need approval from the state agency that installed them. For local monuments (on city or county property), those 25 years or older require a voter election for removal, while newer ones need approval from the local governing body. The bill also creates a process where residents can file complaints with the attorney general if local governments violate these rules, potentially leading to court action and a civil penalty.

Maddy summarySB 1380 would require health insurers to skip prior approval (preauthorization) for certain urgent medical treatments. Specifically, it exempts "intervention-necessary care" - like treatment for acute injuries or illnesses that could cause irreversible harm or severe pain if delayed - from needing insurer approval before a doctor can provide it. This applies to health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and specific insurance plans, but excludes Medicaid programs and child health plans. The bill defines clear criteria for when preauthorization is waived, aiming to reduce delays for time-sensitive care.

Maddy summarySB 2847 allows Texas public universities to seek state board approval for core curricula with fewer than 42 credit hours for specific bachelor's degree programs, if it accelerates completion of workforce-aligned credentials. It requires public institutions to accept core curriculum credits from other Texas public universities, simplifying transfers and eliminating redundant coursework. The bill directly affects all public universities in Texas and students pursuing bachelor's degrees, particularly those transferring between institutions. It aims to reduce time-to-degree without lowering academic standards, focusing on aligning coursework with workforce needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals to submit proof of United States citizenship when registering to vote. Applicants must provide a copy of specific documents, such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate, with their voter registration application. If initial proof is not provided, voter registrars must attempt to verify citizenship using various databases. If citizenship cannot be verified or proof is not ultimately provided, the applicant will only be eligible to vote a limited federal ballot. The bill also creates a state jail felony offense for registrars who knowingly fail to reject applications that do not meet these new requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1980 increases criminal penalties for assaults against specific public servants in Texas. It upgrades assaults against police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel from a Class C to Class B misdemeanor (a higher penalty level). The bill also creates a legal presumption that attackers knew they were targeting these workers if the victims wore uniforms or badges identifying their roles. Additionally, it strengthens penalties for interfering with public servants performing duties, such as disrupting emergency response efforts.

Maddy summarySB 1555 establishes a state grant program to fund railroad grade separation projects at local road and pedestrian crossings not on state highways. Local governments (cities, counties) can apply for grants to build overpasses or underpasses at these intersections to improve safety and reduce traffic conflicts. The program requires at least 10% of project costs from non-state sources (like local funds or federal grants), prohibits using state highway funds for these grants, and mandates that recipients partner with the Texas Department of Transportation to manage construction. Signed into law on May 24, 2025, this policy directly affects communities with railroad crossings near public roads or sidewalks.