Maddy summaryHB 2024 amends Texas Local Government Code sections 42.101 and 42.151 to clarify which areas cannot be released from a municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction. It specifically prohibits release for areas within five miles of active military bases, industrial districts, or regions where release would fragment municipal jurisdiction. The bill also blocks release for areas near military bases within 15 miles in high-population counties, or where a municipality has invested over $1 million in development. These provisions directly affect residents and landowners in areas governed by municipal extraterritorial jurisdiction, limiting their ability to seek removal from city jurisdiction through petition or election. The bill focuses on defining exceptions to release procedures rather than creating new mechanisms.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 2058 requires hospitals with specific maternal care designations to provide supportive counseling and medical cooling devices (like specialized blankets or cradles) to parents and families following a perinatal death or stillbirth. It creates a grant program to help these hospitals cover costs for staff training on compassionate care and purchasing/maintaining cooling devices. The bill also establishes a hospital recognition program for facilities excelling in perinatal palliative care. These provisions directly affect Texas hospitals licensed under Chapter 241 that serve maternal care patients. The law aims to improve access to and quality of grief support services for families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss.
Maddy summaryHB 1230 requires the Railroad Commission of Texas to hold a public hearing in the county before approving permits for new oil or gas wells located within 1,500 feet of schools or child-care facilities. It directly affects oil and gas applicants who must indicate proximity to schools on permit applications, and the Railroad Commission, which must consider public comments before granting such permits. The key provision mandates a public hearing to gather community input on whether the permit serves the public interest, replacing the current approval process for these specific locations. This policy change applies only to permit applications submitted on or after the effective date of the new rules (set for September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote).
Maddy summaryHB 1231 requires public officials and candidates in Texas to file financial statements that become public records. The bill mandates that these statements be made available online within 15 days of filing, while removing sensitive personal details like home addresses, phone numbers, and children's names before public release. It also specifies that the commission may destroy outdated statements rather than keeping them online indefinitely. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 1350 limits the total cost of short-term credit extensions to a 36% annual interest rate, including all fees and charges (like interest, lender fees, and other costs) imposed by credit services organizations. It directly affects consumers who use these organizations to obtain or extend credit, as well as the credit services organizations themselves. The bill requires that all such charges be included when calculating the annual percentage rate (APR), effectively capping the total cost of these credit extensions. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to extensions made on or after that date.
Maddy summaryHB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia and related disorders. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and other eligible organizations for research into dementia causes, prevention strategies, treatments, and symptom mitigation. It establishes oversight committees to manage grants, ensure compliance, and requires annual public reports detailing funded projects and recipients. The institute is set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless extended under Texas Sunset Act procedures.
Maddy summaryHJR 3 proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. The bill would transfer $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026, for research, prevention, and treatment of dementia and related disorders. The institute would award grants to Texas research institutions, medical facilities, and collaboratives to develop treatments, prevention programs, and address access to care. This initiative directly affects Texans living with dementia and their families, as well as researchers and healthcare providers in the state.
Maddy summaryHB 1045 requires most health benefit plans in Texas to cover treatment for chemical dependency at specifically defined facilities. It defines "chemical dependency treatment center" as facilities affiliated with hospitals, Joint Commission-accredited, or licensed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The bill applies to group and individual health insurance plans offering hospital/medical coverage, but excludes small employers (250 or fewer employees), certain limited policies (like accident-only or short-term travel insurance), and basic coverage plans under specific chapters. This amendment updates existing insurance code requirements to standardize coverage for chemical dependency treatment.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Texas unemployment law to clarify when workers may not qualify for benefits due to labor disputes. It disqualifies individuals unemployed because of a labor dispute at their workplace or a connected supplier location, but adds exceptions: workers not involved in the dispute, not part of the striking worker group, locked out by their employer, or on emergency unpaid leave may still qualify. A key provision states that paying regular union dues does not count as financing a labor dispute, protecting union members. The law directly affects workers whose unemployment stems from strikes or lockouts at their specific workplace or related operations.
Maddy summaryHB 1069 clarifies that construction workers hired as independent contractors (not employees) are generally ineligible for unemployment benefits. It prohibits classifying such workers as employees solely based on requirements like background checks or licenses. Businesses must provide IRS Form 1099 to qualifying workers and file it with the IRS to avoid being treated as employers. The bill also adds administrative penalties for violations of these classification rules. This directly affects construction companies and workers in Texas who are classified as independent contractors.