Rep. Keith Bell

Maddy summaryHB 3214 modifies Texas' master plumber license eligibility requirements by reducing the required journeyman plumber experience from four years to two years. It allows applicants to qualify with either two years of experience or one year of experience plus completion of a nationally recognized apprenticeship program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. The bill applies only to new license applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, leaving existing applications and current license holders unaffected. All other requirements - including passing exams and supervision duties - remain unchanged under the revised rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1533 amends Texas property tax appraisal rules to improve notice requirements and training standards. It requires certified mail for specific property tax notices and adds electronic signature verification for agent designations. The bill mandates that at least one trainer for taxpayer education courses must be a Texas-licensed attorney with five years of property tax experience, excluding those with prior ties to appraisal districts or review boards. This ensures taxpayer representatives with direct experience lead training, while allowing limited exceptions if qualified candidates are unavailable. The changes apply to property tax appraisal systems used by counties and taxing entities across Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 43 amends Texas law to update the definition of "agricultural business" in the Agriculture Code, explicitly including rural recreational businesses (like hiking or fishing on farmland) and nonprofit land conservation groups. It also revises the composition of the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority's board, requiring the governor to appoint nine members with specific representation: two young farmers/ranchers, two representatives from rural entities (chambers, trade associations), and others with agricultural lending expertise. These changes directly affect entities applying for the Authority's loan and grant programs, such as farmers, ranchers, rural tourism businesses, and conservation nonprofits. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, after passing both chambers unanimously.

Maddy summaryHB 120 amends Texas education law to prioritize college, career, and military readiness for high school students. It adds two new academic goals: requiring graduates to have immediate workforce skills (Goal 5) and ensuring college readiness without remediation (Goal 6). The bill mandates public schools to report de-identified student outcomes - including college enrollment, remedial coursework, and employment data - disaggregated by school district and campus. These reports will inform school accountability ratings and guide funding for career programs like the FAST and R-PEP initiatives. The law directly affects all Texas public high schools, students, and district administrators through updated accountability measures.

Maddy summaryHB 2788 prevents public disclosure of fraud detection methods used by Texas' unemployment benefits system. It specifically exempts internal tools like risk assessments, investigative materials, technology protocols, and communications from Texas' public records law (Chapter 552 of the Government Code). This means the Texas Workforce Commission cannot release these details in response to public information requests. The bill directly affects how the agency handles fraud prevention information but does not change unemployment eligibility rules. It became effective immediately upon the governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 763 amends Texas law to require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to conduct a protectiveness review of standard permits for permanent concrete plants (performing wet, dry, or central mixing) at least once every six years. The review must assess air pollutant background concentrations, and if permits are updated, facilities get a reasonable transition period to comply. The bill also mandates that new permit applications include detailed plot plans showing property lines, emission points, benchmark locations, and setback compliance. This directly affects concrete plants operating specific batching methods, requiring updated application standards and regular permit reviews to ensure environmental protection.

Maddy summaryHB 4753 requires Texas municipalities to issue a verification document to building owners upon request, confirming the municipality has issued a certificate of occupancy for the building. This document can be used in place of the original certificate of occupancy, and municipalities cannot require owners to display the original certificate. The bill directly affects building owners seeking to prove occupancy status and municipalities that issue certificates of occupancy. It takes effect immediately upon the Governor's signature, as noted in the bill's recent actions.

Maddy summaryHB 5436 creates an exception allowing used automotive parts recyclers to purchase certain older vehicles without requiring a title certificate. It applies to vehicles at least 13 years old, purchased solely for parts, dismantling, or scrap, provided they haven't been registered for seven years and recyclers follow specific reporting rules. Recyclers must submit detailed transaction information to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles within three business days and cannot dismantle the vehicle until after this deadline, unless liens are resolved. Violating these requirements constitutes a criminal offense, with the bill establishing new penalties for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 127 creates the Higher Education Research Security Council to protect universities from foreign espionage risks. The council, made up of security officers from university systems and select research institutions, will identify best practices for securing academic research while mitigating threats from foreign adversaries. It directly affects public and private research-focused universities in Texas, particularly those designated as "tier one" institutions. The bill establishes this council as a formal body to coordinate security efforts across higher education, without changing existing trade secret laws. The council’s role is limited to advising institutions on security protocols, not enforcing new penalties.

Maddy summarySB 1596 amends Texas Penal Code Section 46.05(a) to explicitly prohibit the possession, manufacture, transportation, repair, or sale of short-barrel firearms without proper registration or classification as a curio/antique. The bill directly affects individuals and businesses handling such firearms, adding them to existing prohibitions alongside machine guns and explosive devices. Key provisions include defining short-barrel firearms as illegal under the law (effective September 1, 2025) and establishing limited exceptions for antique/curio items or specific organizations. The bill repeals a prior Penal Code section (46.01(10)) and clarifies that new restrictions apply only to offenses occurring on or after the effective date.