Sen. Charles Schwertner

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Texas business law to give domestic entities more control over internal dispute resolution. It allows businesses formed under Texas law to require that internal disputes (like shareholder disagreements) be filed only in Texas courts and to waive jury trials for these cases. The changes apply to all Texas domestic entities, including corporations and LLCs. The law ensures Texas governance rules take precedence over other states' laws for these internal matters.

Maddy summaryHB 3306 modifies Texas insurance law to exempt indemnity agreements in construction contracts for electric utility infrastructure from certain regulations. Specifically, it adds a new exception (Section 151.105(10)(C)) for agreements related to installing or maintaining electric power systems, including vegetation management for utilities. This exemption applies only to new contracts signed on or after September 1, 2025, leaving existing agreements under previous law. The change directly affects electric utility companies and contractors working on projects like power lines, substations, and grid maintenance.

Maddy summarySB 1879 transfers a specific 14.999-acre tract of land in Walker County from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to Walker County. The county must use the property exclusively for a justice center (such as a courthouse or detention facility) and cannot repurpose it or fail to use it for that purpose within 10 years of transfer, or ownership reverts to the state. The bill specifies the property's boundaries and requires a formal transfer document with these usage restrictions. The bill was signed into law by the governor on May 13, 2025, and is now effective.

Maddy summarySB 1586 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to deny permits for small wastewater treatment facilities ("package plants" under 500,000 gallons daily) within 1,000 feet of municipal wastewater lines. Applicants must prove they have security/weatherization plans, financial assurance for maintenance, and that nearby facilities denied service requests. The bill also mandates that new permits cannot worsen environmental conditions from combined discharges and requires applicants to have no delinquent fees or unresolved violations in the past decade. This applies only to permit applications filed on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2340 gives Texas' Attorney General authority to investigate the records of businesses registered in Texas (including out-of-state companies operating here) to check compliance with state laws and their own governing documents. Businesses that refuse to allow record examinations risk losing their right to operate in Texas, though they may avoid penalties by filing a court petition showing good faith reasons for refusal. The bill also creates a misdemeanor crime for intentionally destroying, altering, or falsifying records to evade these requirements, punishable by fines up to $5,000.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 715) modifies reliability requirements for electric power plants in Texas' ERCOT grid that have operated for at least one year and aren't self-generators. It creates specific exemptions from financial penalties for these plants during planned maintenance, transmission outages, or when they already meet other performance rules. The bill also requires Texas' Public Utility Commission to consider using collected penalty funds to rebate money directly to consumers or fund reliability improvements, prioritizing maximum consumer benefit while maintaining grid reliability. These changes apply to facilities meeting the bill's criteria starting September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1495 would establish an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Advisory Board to advise Texas state agencies on standards for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The board would consist of nine voting members representing electric vehicle supply equipment companies, installers/servicers, motor fuel retailers, public utilities, and the public, plus two nonvoting ex officio members from transportation and fire protection agencies. This advisory body would provide recommendations on installation, maintenance, calibration, and inspection standards for electric vehicle charging equipment, directly supporting the Texas Commission on Occupations and related departments.

Maddy summarySB 292 requires entities with eminent domain authority (like government agencies or certain private companies) to provide property owners with a "Landowner’s Bill of Rights" statement when seeking to acquire property. This statement must clearly explain condemnation procedures, the owner’s right to refuse surveys or negotiate terms, the entity’s obligation to cover survey damages, and the owner’s right to appeal damage amounts. The bill also mandates that if an entity makes an initial offer for property not sought via condemnation, it must separately identify and offer compensation for that property. These changes directly affect property owners facing eminent domain actions and aim to increase transparency in acquisition processes.

Maddy summarySJR 4 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the maximum allowable balance in Texas' economic stabilization fund from 10% to 15% of the previous biennium's general revenue deposits (excluding investment income and borrowed funds). This change would directly affect how the state manages its rainy-day fund, allowing it to hold more money during budget surpluses. The amendment requires voter approval in November 2025 and would take effect September 1, 2027, if passed. The bill was reported adversely by the Senate Finance Committee on April 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment (SJR 18) that would ban Texas from taxing capital gains - both when assets are sold (realized) or when their value increases without being sold (unrealized) - for individuals, families, estates, or trusts. It explicitly excludes property taxes, sales taxes on goods/services, and use taxes from this prohibition. If approved by voters in the November 2025 election, the amendment would require future Texas laws to comply with this ban on capital gains taxation. The measure directly affects taxpayers who own investments or assets subject to capital gains, but does not change existing tax types like property or sales taxes.