Rep. Angie Button

Maddy summaryHB 3344 requires roofing contractors in Texas to obtain an occupational license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and pay associated fees. It directly affects professionals who perform roofing services (installation, repair, or maintenance) for compensation on commercial or residential properties, excluding homeowners doing their own work, government employees, or those selling roofing materials without installation. Key provisions include creating administrative penalties for violations, authorizing TDLR to set licensing fees, and establishing criminal offenses for certain violations. The bill exempts contractors working on new construction and those performing services for property owners on their own residential or agricultural properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas licensing authorities to issue provisional occupational licenses for six months to applicants with criminal convictions who are otherwise qualified for the license, unless they have specific serious convictions listed in the Occupations Code. The provisional license begins upon the applicant's release from incarceration if they were imprisoned. It applies to most occupational licensing fields (like healthcare or trades) but excludes applicants convicted of offenses under Section 53.021(a). The bill provides a pathway for certain applicants to obtain licenses without full revocation of eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 3605 creates a franchise tax credit for Texas businesses that hire apprentices in broadband utility engineering or construction jobs. To qualify, businesses must employ at least one apprentice for three months in a certified apprenticeship program, provide specific training in skills like pole climbing or fiber splicing, and obtain a certificate of eligibility from the Texas Workforce Commission. The credit directly benefits taxable entities (businesses) in the broadband sector by reducing their franchise tax liability. It applies to apprentices working in roles classified under 2022 NAICS code 237130, requiring programs to meet U.S. Department of Labor standards or be registered under Texas Education Code Chapter 133. The bill is currently pending in committee after being favorably reported with a committee substitute.

Maddy summaryHB 3287 exempts trust fund requirements for residential construction projects on single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and quadruplexes. It modifies Texas Property Code to clarify that funds reserved for these specific residential improvements are not considered "trust funds" under Chapter 162. The bill also adds a provision allowing beneficiaries (like contractors or material suppliers) to recover attorney fees if they successfully sue a trustee over trust fund issues. These changes apply only to construction contracts entered into on or after September 1, 2025, with the new attorney fee rule applying to lawsuits filed after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 4115 establishes requirements for shareholders to submit proposals to certain Texas corporations with national stock listings. It applies to Texas-formed companies listed on national exchanges that either have their main office in Texas or are listed on a Texas-approved exchange. To submit a proposal, shareholders must own either $1 million in market value of voting shares or 3% of the company’s voting shares for six months and secure support from 67% of voting shareholders. The bill does not apply to director nominations or procedural meeting resolutions. This is a procedural rule change affecting shareholder voting rights, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 4 proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit Texas from imposing an occupation tax on financial firms regulated by federal agencies (like stock exchanges, brokers, and clearinghouses) or taxing their securities transactions. It directly affects entities such as stock exchanges, broker-dealers, and other registered securities market operators. The amendment explicitly allows existing taxes like sales taxes, insurance premiums, and general business taxes but blocks new state taxes targeting securities transactions or these specific firms. This is a constitutional change, not a regular law, requiring voter approval after legislative passage.

Maddy summarySB 2 establishes a state-funded education savings account program in Texas, allowing eligible families to use public funds for approved educational expenses. The program directly affects Texas families with children who have disabilities or who live in low-income households (at or below 500% of the federal poverty level). The comptroller administers the program, funding accounts with state money that can cover approved education costs like tuition, books, or tutoring. The bill becomes effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 3, 2025. This creates a new state-funded option alongside public schools for participating families.

Maddy summaryHB 3288 prevents trustees from withholding or diverting trust funds tied to a construction project due to disputes unrelated to that specific project. It requires trustees to apply funds only to the contract that generated them, making it illegal to withhold money for other disputes (e.g., disagreements about separate projects). The law applies only to construction contracts entered into on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting contractors, developers, and trustees handling project-specific trust funds. This clarifies that misapplying funds during unrelated disputes constitutes a violation under Texas Property Code.

Maddy summaryHB 1764 allows certified public accountants (CPAs) licensed in other states to practice in Texas without obtaining a Texas license if their home state's requirements are comparable to Texas standards or if they meet specific education and experience criteria. To qualify, out-of-state CPAs must have passed the uniform CPA exam, completed 150 semester hours in accounting (or equivalent), and have 1-2 years of relevant work experience depending on their educational path. The bill updates Texas law to formalize these standards, requiring verification through NASBA or direct compliance, and maintains existing privileges for qualifying out-of-state CPAs through 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 54, titled "Relating to the display of and allowance for non-human behaviors in Texas schools," is a procedural bill that amends school discipline requirements. It mandates that Texas public school districts include specific factors in their student conduct codes, such as self-defense, intent, disability considerations, and homelessness status, when making disciplinary decisions like suspensions or expulsions. The bill requires schools to post these codes prominently and consider these factors in all disciplinary actions. It does not ban specific activities but standardizes how schools evaluate student behavior. The bill is currently pending in the Education Committee.