Sen. Brent Hagenbuch

Maddy summarySB 2907 would exempt certain perishable retail inventory from property tax in Texas. It specifically covers food (excluding alcohol), prescription and nonprescription drugs, and dietary supplements held for retail sale. Businesses selling these items would qualify for the tax exemption unless they owed delinquent taxes to the state or local taxing units as of January 1 of the tax year. The exemption applies only to tax years starting January 1, 2026, and depends on voter approval of a related constitutional amendment. The bill is currently pending in committee as of May 5, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2 establishes a state-funded education savings account program in Texas, allowing eligible families to use public funds for approved educational expenses. The program directly affects Texas families with children who have disabilities or who live in low-income households (at or below 500% of the federal poverty level). The comptroller administers the program, funding accounts with state money that can cover approved education costs like tuition, books, or tutoring. The bill becomes effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 3, 2025. This creates a new state-funded option alongside public schools for participating families.

Maddy summarySB 1395 amends Texas law governing school district health advisory councils. It requires each school board trustee to appoint an equal number of council members, though districts may instead appoint certain members via majority board vote. The bill mandates that at least half of council members must be parents of enrolled students (not employed by the district or related to staff), and these parents must hold all leadership roles like chair or secretary. Councils must include voting members from specified community groups, such as health professionals, business leaders, and law enforcement, while allowing nonvoting members from organizations like nonprofits or clergy. The bill sets one-year terms for all members, with reappointment permitted.

Maddy summarySB 2742 prohibits school districts and local governments from using public funds for political advertising or electioneering. It directly affects school boards and political subdivisions (like cities or counties) that might use taxpayer money to support or oppose candidates, measures, or political parties. The bill imposes civil fines of $1,000-$1,500 per day for violations, with each day of continued violation counted separately. The Texas Attorney General can enforce these penalties through lawsuits in Travis County or the affected county, and officials cannot claim immunity or seek indemnification for violations.

Maddy summarySB 324 requires state contractors, local governments (political subdivisions), and private employers working with Texas state entities to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm employees' work authorization. The bill mandates that contractors must register with and maintain participation in E-Verify to secure or retain state contracts, with contracts including a certification statement about compliance. This policy directly affects businesses and government units doing work with Texas state agencies, requiring them to verify employee eligibility through the federal program rather than relying on other methods. The bill modifies Texas Government Code Chapter 2264 to enforce this requirement through contract terms and verification standards.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 619 creates new protections allowing healthcare providers (including nurses, pharmacists, medical students, and other staff) to refuse to provide certain medical services based on their sincerely held moral or religious beliefs. The bill specifically prohibits refusal only for emergency care or life-sustaining treatment, while covering services like contraception, abortion counseling, or other procedures deemed morally objectionable by the provider. It prohibits adverse actions - such as job loss, denial of licensure, or discrimination - against providers who decline services for conscience reasons. The law establishes a civil remedy for violations and applies to all healthcare facilities and employers in Texas.

Maddy summarySB 625 requires Texas public high schools to include a mandatory half-credit in either personal financial literacy or economics as part of students' social studies graduation requirements. This applies to all students entering ninth grade in the 2025-2026 school year or later. The bill amends existing education code to specify that students must complete at least one-half credit in government and one-half credit in either economics or personal financial literacy. The policy directly affects all Texas public high school students entering 9th grade starting in 2025-2026, with implementation beginning that school year.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 469) passed by the Texas Senate on May 1, 2025, to formally congratulate Texas Woman's University (TWU) athletic programs for their achievements during the 2024-2025 sports year. It specifically highlights the TWU gymnastics team winning their 13th national championship, the dance team securing its first national title, and the women's basketball team advancing to the NCAA Division II regional final. The resolution recognizes individual awards for athletes and coaches, including national honors and program records. As a symbolic gesture with no policy changes, it serves to honor TWU's athletic successes without creating new laws or obligations.

Maddy summarySB 2255 allows military spouses in Texas to practice licensed professions without obtaining a new Texas license if they hold a current, comparable license from another state. It specifically permits spouses to work in their licensed field if their out-of-state license is "similar in scope of practice" and they are in good standing, provided they notify the state agency, submit a military ID and permanent change of station (PCS) order as residency proof, and receive agency confirmation. The bill amends Texas Occupations Code sections 55.004 and 55.0041 to remove residency documentation requirements for military spouses seeking to practice under this provision. This directly affects military spouses seeking employment in licensed occupations (e.g., nursing, cosmetology, teaching) without requiring duplicate state licensing. The bill does not change licensing requirements for non-military residents.

Maddy summarySB 2434 requires Texas gas utilities to prioritize natural gas deliveries to natural-gas-fired power plants during supply shortages, placing them at the same priority level as hospitals, water facilities, and other essential services. This directly affects gas utilities and natural-gas-powered electricity generators by mandating that these power plants receive gas before non-essential commercial or industrial customers during shortages. The bill defines "human needs customers" to include these power plants under Section 121.159 of the Utilities Code. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not alter existing priorities for residential or emergency services.