Sen. Brent Hagenbuch

Maddy summarySB 985 allows Texas counties to combine election precincts under specific conditions to avoid excessive election costs. It permits combining precincts with fewer than 500 registered voters (for counties under 1.2 million population) or between 500-750 voters (for counties with 250,000+ population), with a maximum of 10,000 voters per combined precinct. The bill requires that precinct combinations must not dilute voting strength or discourage participation by protected groups under federal Voting Rights Act. This applies to counties not using the countywide polling place program, primarily affecting local election officials and county commissioners courts.

Maddy summarySB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia causes, prevention, and treatment. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and research groups to expand dementia-related studies and create jobs. It establishes three committees to oversee funding and research priorities, with the program set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless renewed under Texas law. The bill directly affects Texas research institutions receiving grants and aims to improve dementia health outcomes for state residents. This legislation became law after being signed by the Governor on May 24, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2007 allows Texas vehicle registration applicants to voluntarily indicate if they are a member of the U.S. armed forces. When disclosed, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles must include this military status in the vehicle's registration records and any related reports released by the department. The bill applies directly to military members registering or renewing vehicle registration in Texas. It does not create new benefits or requirements but adds a disclosure option to existing registration processes, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 353 would create a Class A misdemeanor for trespassing on or near school or day-care center property in Texas. It prohibits entering or remaining on school property or within 250 feet of it without a legitimate reason (like custody responsibilities) or written permission from school staff, after being asked to leave. The bill defines "school or day-care center property" broadly to include all owned/leased land, buildings, and grounds where school activities occur. This bill was vetoed by the Governor on May 24, 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2880, titled the Women and Child Protection Act, creates a new legal framework for regulating abortion-inducing drugs in Texas. It authorizes private civil lawsuits against individuals or entities that distribute abortion-inducing drugs for elective abortions, while explicitly exempting internet service providers, search engines, and cloud service providers from liability. The bill defines key terms like "elective abortion" (an abortion not performed in response to a medical emergency) and "abortion-inducing drug" to clarify the scope of liability. It establishes Chapter 171A in the Health and Safety Code to enforce these provisions and harmonize related laws. The legislation directly affects distributors of abortion-inducing drugs and those providing information about them online, with potential civil liability for violating its provisions.

Maddy summarySB 1073 prevents Texas licensing authorities from imposing rules or penalties that discriminate against or burden applicants or licensed attorneys based on sincerely held religious beliefs, free speech (including religious or political views), religious organization membership, or freedom of association. It prohibits policies that limit license eligibility or renewal due to these protected rights, while allowing exceptions for rules strictly necessary to serve a compelling government purpose or address willful bias in legal proceedings. The bill directly affects law license applicants and holders in Texas by ensuring their constitutional rights cannot be infringed through licensing decisions. Violations can be challenged in administrative or court proceedings, though this defense cannot be used in cases involving sexual misconduct allegations or criminal prosecutions.

Maddy summarySB 2743 creates a process for disqualifying local prosecutors who consistently refuse to prosecute election law violations. It allows judges to declare a district or county attorney disqualified if they follow a policy of declining to prosecute election offenses, and requires judges to appoint an assistant attorney general to handle those cases instead. Residents who have lived in a county for at least six months can file petitions seeking disqualification if they believe a prosecutor has a pattern of not prosecuting election violations. The bill specifically targets election-related prosecutions and mandates that the attorney general's office handles these cases without additional state funding. This bill aims to ensure consistent enforcement of election laws by local prosecutors.

Maddy summarySB 2707 modifies Texas Transportation Code provisions related to oversize or overweight vehicle permits. It allows the Texas Department of Transportation to waive permit fees and surety requirements (like bonds or letters of credit) for governmental entities, including cities, counties, and other public agencies. The bill specifically exempts municipal vehicles from certain permit rules and expands waiver authority to all governmental entities through department rules. This change directly affects government-owned vehicles requiring special permits for oversized or overweight travel on Texas roads. The policy change takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 290 would provide tuition and fee exemptions at Texas colleges for qualifying members of the Texas military forces (including National Guard and State Guard). It requires public and private institutions to waive tuition for up to 15 semester credit hours per term (increasing from 12) and all mandatory fees when tuition is waived. The program limits assistance to 15 credit hours per term and a maximum of seven academic years or 15 semesters total per service member. The Texas Adjutant General would certify eligible members and administer the program within available funding, with specific caps for Texas State Guard members (30 awards per term unless a compelling need is found).

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 573) is a ceremonial Senate expression of congratulations to Hiba Syed for earning the Girl Scout Gold Award. It specifically recognizes her leadership in installing toiletry cabinets at local mosques and teaching hygiene workshops at the Kids Learning Center, which benefited over 70 community members. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it solely serves to honor Syed's achievement and the Girl Scout program's values.