Sen. Paul Bettencourt

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Texas voters to choose between year-round standard time or year-round daylight saving time via a statewide referendum. If approved by voters in the November 2025 election, the Texas legislature would be required to pass laws implementing the winning option. The referendum would let voters indicate their preference directly, with the legislature mandated to enact corresponding time zone legislation. This would change Texas's current practice of switching between time zones seasonally, establishing a permanent time zone choice based on voter input.

Maddy summarySB 1509 prohibits Texas municipalities from adopting or enforcing local ordinances (such as zoning or building codes) in areas outside their official city boundaries but under city planning control (extraterritorial jurisdiction). Cities may still provide essential services like water or sewer to residents in these areas through direct agreements. The bill amends several local government code sections to clarify that municipalities can designate industrial zones in their extraterritorial jurisdiction and must explain annexation impacts on planning authority. This primarily affects how cities manage development and services in surrounding rural areas and their relationships with residents in those zones.

Maddy summarySB 1435 requires the Texas Public Utility Commission to notify state legislators and local government officials when a utility company appeals a city's rate order. Specifically, the commission must send notice to each state legislator whose district includes the affected city and to the city council and county commissioners. This applies only to appeals filed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not change how rates are set. The bill ensures elected officials are informed about utility appeals but does not alter the underlying rate decisions.

Maddy summarySB 1542 requires Texas to use the National Change of Address database and coordinate with the Department of Public Safety to automatically update voter registration addresses when changes are reported. This targets voter registrars (county officials maintaining registration lists), mandating they correct inaccurate address information to prevent duplicate registrations across jurisdictions. The bill creates a Class A misdemeanor penalty for registrars who repeatedly violate these accuracy requirements (three or more violations). It takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to offenses committed after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill, SB 1503, clarifies the process for expanding emergency services districts into areas within city limits or outside city boundaries (extraterritorial jurisdiction). It requires property owners to petition for inclusion and mandates that municipalities must provide written consent within 60 days of a request. If a city fails to act within 60 days, a majority of voters and property owners can petition for emergency services, and inaction for six months is treated as consent. The bill directly affects emergency services districts, municipalities, and property owners seeking access to fire and ambulance services. It streamlines annexation procedures without changing service standards.

Maddy summarySB 1438 modifies how Texas electric utilities adjust nonfuel rates based on changes to their distribution infrastructure investments. It requires the Public Utility Commission to approve these adjustments within 90 days (with a possible 15-day extension), ensuring the process includes public input and considers customer count and weather-normalized energy usage patterns. Utilities must also submit sworn statements confirming compliance with the new rate schedule. This bill directly affects electric utilities (like Oncor or TXU) and the Public Utility Commission by changing the procedural rules for rate adjustments, not the rates themselves.

Maddy summarySB 1501 requires Texas local governments (cities, counties, etc.) that issue general obligation bonds to allocate the bond proceeds exactly as voters approved in the ballot proposition. The bill mandates that these entities distribute funds according to the specific percentages or amounts stated in the voter-approved bond authorization. This ensures public funds raised through bond elections are used precisely as promised to voters, rather than being redirected without further approval. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all future bond issuances following voter approval.

Maddy summarySB 1441 requires the Texas Workforce Commission to create an online system for state agency job applications and standardized aptitude tests. It allows applicants to complete one standardized test online and submit it to multiple state agencies, while informing them they aren't required to take the test. The bill mandates the system list which positions accept the standardized test and defines "standardized aptitude test" as a uniform assessment developed by the state auditor. This directly affects state agency job seekers, the Texas Workforce Commission, and state agencies hiring for classified positions.

Maddy summarySB 1440 requires Texas prosecuting attorneys to report to the Attorney General when they refuse to prosecute certain serious crimes (including offenses under Title 5 or 6 of the Penal Code, such as assault or sexual assault, and Chapter 29 offenses like robbery). The report must include case details, the prosecutor’s reasoning for not proceeding, and the alleged offender’s criminal history. The Attorney General must then post anonymized summaries monthly online, showing the county and offense type affected, without revealing personal information. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025. It directly affects county prosecutors handling these specific criminal cases.

Maddy summarySB 1439 requires automatic recounts for Texas elections where the margin is 0.5% or less - such as when a candidate loses by that margin, a measure passes/fails by that margin, or there's a tie. The recount uses targeted sampling: 100% of electronic ballots and 5% samples of mail-in early voting ballots, early voting locations, and election day polling places. If discrepancies exceed 0.5% in any sampled category, a full recount is ordered. The secretary of state must create implementing rules, and the law takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects election results in very close contests for offices and ballot measures.