Sen. Paul Bettencourt

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas to create a property tax exemption for surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected conditions. Specifically, it would authorize the legislature to exempt all or part of the market value of a surviving spouse's primary home (homestead) from ad valorem taxes, provided the veteran died from a condition presumed service-connected under federal law and the spouse has not remarried. If a spouse moves to a new homestead, they could retain the same tax exemption amount as their previous home. The amendment requires voter approval in November 2025 and would take effect January 1, 2026, if approved.

Maddy summaryHB 4580 would exempt property owned by qualifying nonprofits in Texas counties with 3.3 million or more residents from property taxes. Specifically, it applies to nonprofits organized exclusively for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes that use property to promote agriculture, support youth programs, or provide community educational services. The exemption covers all real and personal property held for these uses but does not extend to for-profit lessees' interests in such property. This change would take effect January 1, 2026, for eligible properties in designated populous counties.

Maddy summaryHB 2703 designates the month of July as "American Patriotism Month" in Texas, with no direct impact on individuals or specific policies. The bill requires state agencies and citizens to observe July through ceremonies and activities celebrating U.S. values, honoring historical figures (including Revolutionary War patriots, founding fathers, astronauts, civil rights leaders, and post-9/11 unity), and fostering national pride. It became law immediately upon the governor's signature on May 28, 2025, with no funding or regulatory changes. This is a symbolic designation, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 21 amends Texas Local Government Code provisions affecting housing finance corporations that develop or manage low- and moderate-income housing. It defines qualifying residential developments as those where at least 90% of units are intended for households with adjusted gross income below state-defined moderate income levels. The bill also requires these corporations to follow open meetings and public records laws (Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code) and restricts their development to areas within the boundaries of their sponsoring local governments - unless approved by those governing bodies. These changes clarify operational rules and transparency requirements for housing finance corporations serving low- and moderate-income residents.

Maddy summaryHB 30 modifies how Texas local taxing units (like counties and cities, excluding school districts) calculate property tax rates after a declared disaster. If a disaster is officially recognized by the governor or president and at least one property owner receives a tax exemption, the taxing unit can use a new "disaster relief rate" calculation. This rate divides the unit's documented disaster costs (for debris removal and essential assistance) by the current taxable property value. The new calculation method applies until either property values exceed their pre-disaster level or three years after the disaster, whichever comes first.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Texas judges to deny bail to individuals classified as "illegal aliens" charged with felony offenses, if a judge determines probable cause exists. It defines "illegal alien" as someone who entered the U.S. without inspection or violated nonimmigrant visa terms. The amendment would automatically deny bail pending trial for such individuals, without requiring additional proof of flight risk or danger. If approved by voters in 2025, it would become part of the Texas Constitution. (Note: This is a procedural proposal requiring voter approval, not an immediate law.)

Maddy summarySB 18 prohibits Texas municipal libraries from receiving state or public funds if they host events where a person presenting as the opposite gender (e.g., a man presenting as a woman or woman presenting as a man) reads to minors for entertainment, with the gender presentation being a primary component of the event. Libraries hosting such events would lose funding for the fiscal year following the event. The law applies only to events occurring on or after September 1, 2025, and affects municipal libraries receiving state or public funds. It directly targets funding for specific library programming involving gender presentation in children's events. The bill does not restrict library access or content generally, only funding tied to these defined events.

Maddy summarySB 2858 aims to establish statewide consistency by preventing cities and counties from enacting regulations that conflict with state laws in areas like commerce, elections, and criminal justice. The bill would override local ordinances that create inconsistent "patchwork" rules across Texas, returning regulatory authority to the state as specified in the Texas Constitution. However, it explicitly preserves local powers to build/maintain roads, impose taxes, provide services equivalent to general-law municipalities, conduct public awareness campaigns, and amend violating ordinances to comply with the bill. The legislation does not restrict municipalities' core functions but limits their ability to create competing local rules in designated policy areas.

Maddy summarySB 2521 requires local registrars to send monthly abstracts of death certificates (for residents 18+) to county appraisal districts. The chief appraiser must then review these to determine if property tax exemptions (like homestead exemptions) previously granted to the deceased should continue for surviving spouses or children. If exemptions no longer qualify, the appraiser must cancel them and notify property owners within five days, effective September 1, 2025. This directly affects county appraisal districts, property owners, and surviving family members regarding tax exemption eligibility.

Maddy summarySB 2764 requires retailers selling manufactured homes to provide buyers with a written disclosure explaining their option to treat the home as either real property (subject to property taxes and real estate rules) or personal property (subject to different tax and regulatory rules). The disclosure must be in 12-point type and cover specific details, including the conditions for making this election, its effects on ownership, and that the election must be applied for when requesting a statement of ownership. This applies to all disclosures given on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting buyers of manufactured homes during purchase agreements. The bill aims to ensure buyers understand how this classification choice impacts their financial obligations and legal rights.