Sen. Paul Bettencourt

Maddy summarySB 37 requires Texas public universities to review their general education curriculum and graduation requirements every five years. It mandates that these reviews ensure courses are foundational for education, prepare students for civic/professional life, and avoid teaching specific concepts like "identity politics" or theories claiming systemic racism is inherent in U.S. institutions. The bill also requires governing boards to consider student costs, including additional tuition and time to complete degrees. This law directly affects all 15 public universities in Texas and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1393 would amend Texas law to require the state to observe daylight saving time year-round, creating a new time zone called "Texas Time" for all areas currently using Central or Mountain Standard Time. This bill directly affects all Texans by changing the state's standard time practice, eliminating seasonal clock changes. The key provision states that Texas would permanently adopt daylight saving time, but the law's implementation is conditional: it only takes effect if the U.S. Congress passes federal legislation authorizing states to do so. The bill passed both chambers and was signed by the governor in June 2025, pending federal action.

Maddy summaryHB 46 modifies Texas' Compassionate-Use Program by requiring dispensing organizations to register certain personnel. The bill mandates that directors, owners, managers, and employees of these organizations must register with the state department, adding this as a requirement for licensing. It specifically amends the Health and Safety Code to include registration as a condition for operating a dispensing organization under the program. The law, signed by the governor on June 20, 2025, takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1433 clarifies the Texas Attorney General's authority to claim "legislative privilege" (protection from disclosing certain communications) when defending state laws in court challenges to their constitutionality. It requires the Attorney General to provide evidence of representing the state or agency within 30 days of asserting this privilege, establishing their authority to do so. The bill directly affects the Attorney General's office and state agencies by defining their process for invoking this legal protection during constitutional challenges. It does not change substantive law but streamlines how privilege claims are handled in court proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 148 requires members of appraisal district boards of directors in Texas to complete annual training before each anniversary of their appointment. The training covers key topics like the roles of appraisal officials, ethics standards, budgeting, conflict-of-interest laws, and public service principles, with tax-related districts needing at least eight hours of instruction. This bill directly affects local government board members who oversee property tax appraisals and assessments. The training must be provided by accredited educational institutions, and members must submit a certificate of completion to their appraisal district.

Maddy summaryHB 2559 modifies Texas local government law to regulate how cities can impose temporary pauses on property development. It requires municipalities to hold two public hearings (with at least 30 days between them) before finalizing a moratorium, and creates a 5-business-day temporary moratorium starting after notice publication. The bill mandates a 90-day expiration for all moratoriums unless extended through a new hearing, and requires a 3/4 vote of the city council for final adoption. This directly affects cities seeking to halt development projects and property owners or developers whose permits may be delayed. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summarySB 11 would allow Texas public school districts or charter schools (not affiliated with religious organizations) to adopt a policy requiring daily voluntary prayer and Bible/religious text reading periods on school campuses. To participate, students or employees must provide written consent from a parent/guardian or the employee themselves, acknowledging the choice to participate and waiving legal claims related to the policy. The bill prohibits mandatory participation, using public address systems for these activities, or substituting this time for instruction, and requires physical separation for those who opt out. School districts must also follow specific guidelines to accommodate non-participants, and the Texas Attorney General would provide legal guidance and defend districts in related lawsuits.

Maddy summarySB 24 requires Texas public schools to include specific instruction about communist regimes and ideologies in social studies curricula for students in grades 4 through 12. The bill mandates age-appropriate lessons covering historical events like the Holodomor, Cultural Revolution, and Cambodian genocide under the Khmer Rouge, as well as comparative analysis of communist ideologies versus U.S. democratic principles. It also requires teaching modern threats from communist regimes and methods used to spread such ideologies, including propaganda and censorship. This policy directly affects all public school students in the specified grades across Texas. The law became effective immediately upon the Governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 293 updates Texas judicial oversight by requiring public notice of certain judicial reprimands and clarifying misconduct standards. It directly affects judges (including retired judges), the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, and the public by mandating transparency in disciplinary actions. Key provisions include defining "official misconduct" to cover failures to meet court deadlines, violations of judicial conduct rules, and incompetence, while requiring the Commission to maintain public complaint files. The bill also authorizes administrative penalties for misconduct but does not change judicial compensation or retirement benefits. This law, signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025, takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 509 requires courts to notify the Texas Attorney General before a hearing in any election-related case seeking a temporary restraining order under the Election Code. This procedural change directly affects courts handling election disputes and ensures the Attorney General receives advance notice of such requests. The bill adds a new requirement that courts must provide this notice "as soon as practicable" before the hearing. It took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025. The law does not alter election rules or voting procedures, only the court notification process.