Rep. Chris Turner

Maddy summaryHB 2275 requires that surplus lines insurance contracts (specialized policies for high-risk or hard-to-place coverage) containing arbitration agreements must specify that any arbitration occurs in Texas and follows Texas law. It mandates that both the arbitration process and contract interpretation be governed by Texas statutes, applying only to contracts delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. Existing contracts before that date remain subject to prior law. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects insurers writing surplus lines policies in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 3113 requires counties in Texas that manually count paper ballots to use ballots designed to be scanned by automatic tabulating equipment. This affects counties currently conducting hand counts of paper ballots, mandating they adopt scannable ballot formats by September 1, 2025. The bill specifies that ballots must be compatible with existing election equipment to ensure accurate processing during elections.

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 5144 aims to prohibit deceptive trade practices by businesses that assist veterans with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims. The bill targets companies that charge fees or provide services related to VA benefits applications, seeking to prevent misleading tactics like false promises of guaranteed approval. However, the full bill text is unavailable in the provided context, so specific provisions, affected parties, or enforcement mechanisms cannot be detailed. Without access to the complete legislative language, a precise summary of how the law would operate or who it directly impacts is not possible. Please consult the bill's PDF version for the full text and detailed provisions.

Maddy summarySB 844 establishes new procedures for Texas municipalities making zoning changes that do not qualify as major overhauls (e.g., not city-wide code updates or new zoning maps). It requires written protests signed by owners of at least 20% of the affected land or 60% of adjacent land within 200 feet to trigger stricter approval rules. If protested, such zoning changes must receive approval from at least three-fourths of the city council. This applies only to smaller, targeted adjustments - not comprehensive zoning changes - as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas colleges, universities, and local governments to reduce electricity use by 5% annually for six years, beginning September 1, 2025. It applies to all public entities covered under the Health and Safety Code, including state agencies. Each entity must establish yearly targets to meet the 5% annual reduction goal. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1232 amends Texas Government Code Section 554.002 to strengthen whistleblower protections for public employees. It explicitly prohibits state or local governments from taking adverse actions (like termination or suspension) against employees who in good faith report violations of law to law enforcement authorities - whether the violation involves their own employer, another public employee, or an elected official. The bill directly affects public employees in Texas state and local government who report suspected legal violations. It takes effect on September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote for immediate implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 4676 allows local governments (like cities, counties, or school districts) to create their own healthcare networks for workers' compensation medical benefits instead of using standard insurance-based networks. It defines a "political subdivision network" as an organization formed by local governments to contract directly with healthcare providers or through existing local health benefits pools. This new option exempts these networks from certain insurance code requirements (like specific review processes) while requiring that medical care remains reasonably available and accessible within the network's service area. The bill directly affects injured employees of local government entities and the healthcare providers participating in these networks.

Maddy summaryHB 1203 creates a new "Office of Food System Security and Resiliency" within the Texas Department of Agriculture to coordinate state efforts ensuring reliable food access and preventing disruptions in Texas' food supply chain. The office will work with local governments, schools, and food industry professionals to develop regional food security plans, promote local agricultural production (farm-to-store/table), and expand food access points by connecting producers with retailers and communities. It must submit annual recommendations to the legislature by December 1 of even-numbered years and manage the existing Texas Food System Security and Resiliency Planning Council. The office must be established by December 31, 2025, and the law takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects Texas farmers, food distributors, local governments, and residents seeking stable food access.