Sen. Brent Hagenbuch

Maddy summaryHB 3016 restricts when rental companies can void damage waivers for rental vehicles. It prohibits voiding waivers unless damage results from intentional harm, unauthorized use (including by drivers under the influence, committing crimes, or using the vehicle for commercial purposes like carrying passengers for hire), or if the renter provided fraudulent information or failed to report a theft properly. The law applies only to rental agreements entered into on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing agreements. This directly affects renters who might otherwise face unexpected charges and rental companies operating in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 4623 creates new liability standards for Texas public schools and their employees regarding student sexual misconduct. It holds schools financially responsible if they act with gross negligence or intentional misconduct in hiring or supervising employees who commit sexual misconduct against students or fail to report suspected abuse. The law caps damages at $500,000 per victim in successful claims and requires the employee who committed the act to be named as a defendant. This directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and all professional school employees covered by the definition, including teachers, administrators, and even student interns. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 34) requires the Texas A&M Forest Service and West Texas A&M University to jointly study wildfire risks across the state, focusing on combustible material buildup ("fuel loading") in different zones and assessing economic impacts like property loss and mitigation costs. It authorizes an increase in insurance assessments on certain insurers to fund the Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Fund, directly supporting volunteer fire departments. The study will identify high-risk areas and evaluate whether wildfire mitigation investments protect property value. The law, signed by the governor in June 2025, becomes effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1639 directs the Texas Department of State Health Services, in collaboration with the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, to study whether female firefighters in Texas have higher rates of certain cancers (like breast and ovarian cancer) compared to other women in the state. The study will use existing cancer registry data and readily available sources, requiring a report with findings and recommendations to be submitted to the legislature by September 1, 2026. The bill does not create new laws or funding but mandates this specific analysis to assess potential health risks. The study is required to be made publicly available online by the agencies involved.

Maddy summarySB 1598 modifies Texas law to expand who can access motor vehicle collision reports. It allows drivers involved in collisions, their representatives, employers, property owners, and specific insurance companies (including those covering vehicles or people involved) to request reports upon written request and payment of a fee. The bill also permits access for qualifying news outlets - defined as free, weekly newspapers of general public interest that publish legal notices - under strict conditions. Previously confidential collision data will now be available to these specified groups, with the changes taking effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects drivers, insurers, and certain media organizations seeking collision information.

Maddy summaryHB 2217 creates a state grant program to help law enforcement agencies purchase and install bullet-resistant components on vehicles used by peace officers. It directly affects state and local law enforcement agencies (including county and city police departments) by providing funding for bullet-resistant windshields, side windows, rear windows, and door panels. The program requires the Criminal Justice Division to set eligibility rules, application procedures, and grant amounts, while agencies must submit proof of installation after using funds. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and focuses solely on funding vehicle safety upgrades for officers.

Maddy summarySB 1957 establishes new eligibility requirements for individuals serving on civilian oversight boards in Texas municipalities. The bill prohibits people who have been convicted of a felony (including those placed on deferred adjudication) or convicted of a crime of moral turpitude from serving on these boards. These boards monitor police or fire department activities, as defined in the legislation. The law took effect immediately on June 20, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summarySB 843 requires Texas school districts to report detailed information about bonds, taxes, and related projects to a new Texas Education Agency database. The database must include bond election results, project lists funded by bonds, tax rate projections, and maintenance tax proposals. School districts must submit this data to the agency, which will maintain the database and allow report generation by geographic area. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting all Texas public school districts.

Maddy summarySB 1563 requires Texas county jailers to complete mandatory training on interacting with veterans in the criminal justice system. The bill mandates the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, in collaboration with the Texas Veterans Commission, to develop this training program. It adds this requirement to existing jailer training standards, making it part of the eight-hour mental health training program needed for appointment or renewal. All current county jailers must complete this training by August 31, 2027, and the law took effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1234 requires the Texas Department of Public Safety to provide applicants with written notice of a potential denial and a 30-day period to submit additional information before denying a handgun carry license application when a medical advisory board has indicated the applicant may be unable to exercise sound judgment regarding handgun use and storage. The bill applies only to applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, and directly affects individuals whose applications are flagged by the medical advisory board under the Health and Safety Code. Key provisions include mandating the department to forward applicant materials to the full medical advisory board for review and requiring the board to submit written reports on the applicant's judgment before the department makes a final licensing decision.