Sen. Charles Schwertner

Maddy summaryHB 2802 amends Texas law to adjust population thresholds for firefighter retirement systems in certain cities, expanding eligibility to cover municipalities with populations of 450,000 to 500,000 (previously 950,000 to 1,050,000). The bill updates definitions and administrative rules for retirement funds, including terms like "actuarial accrued liability" and "amortization period," to align with revised funding calculations. These changes directly affect firefighters in qualifying cities by modifying how their retirement contributions and benefits are calculated and administered under state law. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after receiving final approval in June 2025.

Maddy summarySB 763 amends Texas law to require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to conduct a protectiveness review of standard permits for permanent concrete plants (performing wet, dry, or central mixing) at least once every six years. The review must assess air pollutant background concentrations, and if permits are updated, facilities get a reasonable transition period to comply. The bill also mandates that new permit applications include detailed plot plans showing property lines, emission points, benchmark locations, and setback compliance. This directly affects concrete plants operating specific batching methods, requiring updated application standards and regular permit reviews to ensure environmental protection.

Maddy summaryHB 3510 designates a specific 11-mile stretch of State Highway 6 in Brazos County (between College Station's southern limits and Navasota's northern limits) as the "Sergeant Mark Butler Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of the highway section and at appropriate intermediate locations along the route. This is a commemorative designation honoring Sergeant Mark Butler, with no substantive policy changes or funding impacts. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 13 requires Texas school districts to provide parents with access to records about their child's school library materials, including books or digital resources checked out. It mandates that school libraries prohibit the acquisition of materials rated "sexually explicit" by vendors or deemed "harmful" under Texas law, and restricts access to content described as "pervasively vulgar" or "educationally unsuitable." The bill also creates local school library advisory councils to help develop library policies. These changes directly affect parents, school districts, and students by expanding parental oversight of library resources and setting new standards for library collections. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5247 creates an alternative process for specific Texas electric utilities (those operating solely within ERCOT and identified for Permian Basin transmission construction) to adjust rates for capital investments. It allows these utilities to file a single annual rate adjustment instead of multiple adjustments when their capital spending exceeds 300% of annual depreciation in a year. The bill requires 60 days' notice to the commission, evidence of ongoing eligibility, and permits deferring costs (including depreciation) at the utility’s weighted average cost of capital. This directly affects utilities building Permian Basin transmission infrastructure, changing how they recover capital costs through rate filings.

Maddy summarySB 857 amends Texas law to clarify when police officers or transportation inspectors can remove certain vehicles from highways. It authorizes removal if a vehicle is unattended on bridges/tunnels blocking traffic, unlawfully parked blocking driveways, reported stolen, abandoned over 48 hours, disabled with no owner present, or posing a hazard during emergencies. The bill directly affects vehicle owners (especially those with abandoned or disabled vehicles), law enforcement, and towing/storage companies by expanding existing removal authority. It takes effect September 1, 2025, with no new penalties or fees added.

Maddy summaryHB 2516, the Chris Larkin ALS Act, requires Texas insurers to offer Medicare supplement plans (Medigap) to people under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to disability, end-stage renal disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It mandates that these individuals receive the same coverage and premium rates as those 65 and older for standard plans (A, B, D), with non-standard plans capped at 200% of the 65+ rate. The bill creates a six-month enrollment window starting when a qualifying individual first enrolls in Medicare Part B, during which insurers cannot deny coverage, charge more for health conditions, or impose waiting periods. This law directly affects Texans under 65 with qualifying medical conditions who rely on Medicare, ensuring equitable access to supplemental insurance without medical underwriting. The bill became effective immediately on June 20, 2025.

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 3092 exempts certain short electric transmission lines from requiring an amended certificate of public convenience and necessity. It applies specifically to lines under five miles connecting to load-serving substations or under two miles connecting to generation substations. The bill requires electric utilities to obtain written consent from directly affected landowners and purchase all necessary rights-of-way before construction. This change directly affects Texas electric utilities planning small-scale transmission projects connecting to existing facilities. The law took effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

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.