Sen. Brent Hagenbuch

Maddy summarySB 1702 requires Texas public schools to notify parents each time their child checks out a library book, digital resource, or other material from a school library. This law amends the Education Code to establish a mandatory notification requirement for all school library materials. It directly affects parents of students in Texas public schools and school library staff who must implement the notice system. The bill creates a straightforward process where schools send a notice to parents for every library checkout, without specifying content restrictions.

Maddy summarySB 309 requires voters in Texas to submit proof of citizenship when registering to vote. It directly affects all individuals registering to vote in Texas by adding a new requirement to verify eligibility. The bill mandates the secretary of state to request federal changes to voter registration forms by January 1, 2026, to include citizenship proof, and if federal authorities refuse, the attorney general must seek court enforcement. Registrars must then require this proof under new rules, effective September 1, 2025. The bill does not change voting procedures for those already registered.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 1696 requires that birth certificates issued in Texas include a person's biological sex - determined by sex organs, chromosomes, or endogenous profile - listed as either male or female. It directly affects all newborns in Texas and parents/guardians who file birth certificates, mandating that biological sex be recorded unless a physician determines a child has atypical or ambiguous sex characteristics at birth. The bill allows for later amendments to birth certificates once a child's sex is determined, but prohibits changing the recorded sex except for correcting clerical errors or completing initial omissions. This legislation specifically targets birth certificate documentation under Texas Health and Safety Code sections 192.002, 192.003, and 192.011.

Maddy summarySB 1597 allows Texas counties to combine election precincts under specific conditions to reduce election costs. It applies to counties with fewer than 1.2 million residents (for precincts with under 500 voters) or counties with at least 250,000 residents (for precincts with 500-750 voters). The bill requires combined precincts to follow population limits and prohibits combinations that could dilute voting power or discourage participation by protected groups under the Voting Rights Act. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and aims to streamline elections in smaller counties facing budget constraints.

Maddy summarySJR 66 proposes a constitutional amendment to dedicate specific tax revenues to Texas' water fund. It would require the state comptroller to deposit excess sales tax revenue (above $46.5 billion annually, capped at $500 million) and the first $500 million of insurance premium tax revenue into the Texas Water Fund each year. The amendment mandates that 25% of initial fund allocations and 80% of pre-2043 deposits go exclusively to the "New Water Supply for Texas Fund," which supports water infrastructure projects. This proposal expires August 31, 2043, and requires voter approval in the November 2025 election. It directly affects how Texas allocates tax revenue for water infrastructure planning and development.

Maddy summaryThis bill redefines "violent felony" in Texas law to include any felony where force or deadly force was intentionally used, attempted, or threatened against a person. It expands legal justification for using force or deadly force in self-defense when protecting against unlawful entry into one's home, vehicle, or workplace, or during the commission of specified violent crimes like robbery or sexual assault. The changes apply only to offenses occurring on or after September 1, 2025, and do not alter penalties for crimes but clarify when self-defense claims may be valid. This directly affects individuals claiming self-defense in criminal cases involving violent felonies.

Maddy summarySB 1599 allows certain special districts (like water or flood control districts) to use their existing operation and maintenance property tax funds to pay for hiring or contracting peace officers. The bill amends the Water Code to explicitly include "costs of contracting for or employing peace officers" as a permitted use of these funds. This change directly affects districts that collect ad valorem taxes for maintenance purposes but need to cover security costs. The policy simplifies budgeting for these districts by expanding the scope of allowable expenses without requiring new taxes. The bill does not create new funding or change tax rates.

Maddy summarySB 1600 amends Texas law to allow certain licensed peace officers (such as city or school district police) to make warrantless arrests outside their regular jurisdiction if they witness an offense. It specifically permits arrests for traffic violations under the Transportation Code only when the violation occurs in the county where the officer's employing municipality or district is located. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not change existing arrest authority for other offenses witnessed by these officers.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 1458 modifies jury procedures in criminal cases by clarifying when jurors may be kept together ("sequestered") after the judge gives instructions. It allows courts to prevent jurors from separating until a verdict is reached, but requires a hearing and 10 days' notice if a party requests this, with penalties for revealing which side made the request. The bill specifies that gender-separated facilities must be provided if jurors are kept overnight. It applies only to criminal cases starting on or after September 1, 2025, and does not change rules for misdemeanor cases (where jurors may separate at any time before verdict). This is a procedural change affecting trial management, not substantive criminal law.

Maddy summarySB 1557 creates a "General Mobility Program" allowing municipalities within regional transportation authorities to use up to 25% of local sales and use tax revenue for transportation improvements. The program funds projects like sidewalks, bike trails, streetlights, traffic signals, and drainage work related to roads. Municipalities must agree with their subregional board, submit annual project lists, and receive funds in two installments (50% upfront and 50% reimbursed by year-end). Unused funds must be applied toward paying down debt secured by a 1% sales tax rate. This bill directly affects municipalities in regional transportation authorities with subregional boards.