Sen. Paul Bettencourt

Maddy summarySB 571 updates Texas education law to restrict employment of contract employees who work in public schools and have direct student contact. It prohibits school districts and contractors from hiring individuals with certain criminal convictions (like felonies or misdemeanors listed under Section 22.085) or those identified in a misconduct registry for specific offenses. The bill also expands access to this registry - used to track ineligible employees - to include private schools, non-profit teacher organizations, and school contractors. These changes apply only to new contracts entered on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 34 prohibits Texas state investments in countries designated as "countries of concern" (including China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and any country the governor designates) and in private companies operating in those countries that meet specific criteria. It defines "scrutinized companies" as those engaged in certain business activities (like those linked to the Darfur genocide) or meeting other conditions outlined in the bill. The law applies to all state investment entities, requiring them to divest from or avoid purchasing securities in these entities. An exception allows investments in companies excluded by U.S. federal sanctions regimes.

Maddy summarySB 790 creates a simplified complaint process for tenants disputing water or wastewater bills from property owners in Texas. It allows the Public Utility Commission of Texas to establish a streamlined procedure to resolve these complaints, exempting it from standard administrative rules in the Government Code. The bill directly affects tenants filing complaints and property owners receiving them. It takes effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025. This is a procedural change to improve efficiency in handling specific utility billing disputes.

Maddy summaryHB 3424 modifies Texas property tax rules for heavy equipment dealers. It requires dealers to calculate a property tax on each item sold, leased, or rented by multiplying the sales price or monthly rental amount by a set tax factor. Dealers must collect this tax from buyers or renters, deposit it monthly into a special account, and report it quarterly using a state-formatted statement. This applies directly to businesses that sell or lease heavy equipment like construction or agricultural machinery.

Maddy summarySB 568 amends Texas Education Code sections 8.051 and 29.001 to strengthen special education support in public schools. It requires regional education service centers to provide specific core services, including teacher training on state-mandated subjects and financial literacy, assistance for districts with special education compliance issues, and support for students needing specialized services. The bill also mandates the state education agency to develop a comprehensive system ensuring statewide compliance with federal and state special education laws, focusing on student outcomes and coordinated services. These changes directly affect Texas school districts, regional centers, and students with disabilities by standardizing support and accountability. The bill does not create new funding but reorganizes how existing Foundation School Program funds are administered for special education.

Maddy summaryHB 2001 increases criminal penalties for public officials who misuse official information to gain personal financial benefit. It creates tiered felony charges based on the amount of net gain: third-degree felony for gains under $150,000; second-degree for $150,000-$300,000; and first-degree for $300,000 or more. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect cases that occurred before that date. This bill directly affects government employees or officials who improperly use confidential information for financial gain.

Maddy summarySB 17 restricts certain foreign governments and entities from purchasing or acquiring title to specific types of real property in Texas if such ownership poses a risk to public health, safety, or welfare. It prohibits purchases of agricultural land, commercial, industrial, residential property, mines, minerals, or timber by organizations or governments from "designated countries" (identified by U.S. intelligence as national security risks). Exceptions include U.S. citizens/permanent residents, entities owned by them, homestead properties, and leaseholds under 100 years. The law creates a new Property Code Subchapter H (Sections 5.251-5.254) to implement these restrictions.

Maddy summarySB 2520 clarifies how Texas school districts calculate property tax limits for elderly or disabled homeowners who qualify for homestead exemptions. It specifies that for the tax year immediately following the first year of qualification, the tax cap is the lower of either the previous year's tax (adjusted per existing rules) or the actual tax amount in that first qualifying year. This bill, effective January 1, 2026, only clarifies existing law without changing benefits or creating new exemptions. It directly affects eligible homeowners in school districts by ensuring predictable tax calculations during their initial qualification period.

Maddy summaryHB 493 amends Texas election law to clarify who cannot serve as a poll watcher. It requires poll watchers to sign an affidavit confirming they will not use recording devices during their service and that they have not been convicted of certain felonies (including first/second-degree felonies or election-related offenses). The bill directly affects individuals seeking to serve as poll watchers, making them ineligible if they meet these disqualification criteria. These changes take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 3034 designates a specific segment of State Highway 249 (from Farm-to-Market Road 1774 in Montgomery County to State Highway 105 in Grimes County) as the "Doug Pitcock Aggie Expressway." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers bearing this name at both ends of the highway and at appropriate intermediate locations. This is a ceremonial naming bill with no substantive policy changes, affecting only the highway signage in that geographic area. The designation takes effect September 1, 2025.