Rep. Rafael Anchía

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a substantive bill) honoring Leadership Dallas. It commemorates the program's 50th anniversary and welcomes its 2025 class to the Texas State Capitol on May 13, 2025. The resolution formally recognizes Leadership Dallas' role in training over 2,300 civic leaders since 1975 through monthly community-focused sessions. It does not create new laws or affect policy; it simply expresses the Texas House's appreciation for the program's community impact.

Maddy summaryHB 5200 requires the Public Utility Commission of Texas to ensure the independent organization overseeing ERCOT transmission planning evaluates grid enhancing technologies (like dynamic line rating systems and advanced power flow controllers) and high-performance conductors (modern alternatives to traditional wires) for use in transmission projects. The bill mandates this evaluation to increase transmission capacity, reduce congestion, improve reliability, and lower wildfire risks. It specifically directs the organization to consider technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness, though it allows them to decline recommendations they deem imprudent. This affects how ERCOT’s transmission system is planned and upgraded, directly impacting Texas power grid operators and infrastructure decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 3134 establishes a regulatory framework for "advanced air mobility" in Texas, primarily affecting electric aircraft and vertiports (landing/takeoff sites for air taxis). The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to create an office for technical support, develop a statewide strategic plan, identify uniform planning standards for vertiports, estimate electric grid capacity needs, and provide guidebooks to local governments. It specifically applies to aircraft over 300 pounds capable of carrying passengers or cargo, focusing on electric vertical takeoff aircraft and urban air mobility infrastructure. The law aims to enable future air taxi services by standardizing planning and infrastructure requirements across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 4176 allows certain non-peace officer employees of law enforcement agencies (who complete approved training) to investigate minor motor vehicle collisions under specific conditions. It applies to collisions with no injuries/death, property damage under $5,000, and no offenses beyond minor fines. These employees must file a written summary report electronically within 10 days, similar to officers handling more serious incidents. The bill updates Texas Transportation Code sections to clarify this expanded authority and reporting requirement, effective September 1, 2025. It directly affects law enforcement agencies' non-sworn staff conducting preliminary collision investigations.

Maddy summaryHB 5064 would designate a specific segment of U.S. Highway 67 in Dallas and Ellis Counties - between its intersection with U.S. Highway 287 and Interstate 20 - as the "Eddie Bernice Johnson Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of the highway and at intermediate locations along the route. This is a ceremonial designation with no impact on highway operations, funding, or regulations. It directly affects the geographic corridor in Dallas and Ellis Counties but does not alter existing transportation policies.

Maddy summaryHB 3704 creates a new criminal offense for notaries public who perform notarizations when the person signing a document did not personally appear before them at the time of notarization. It classifies this as a Class A misdemeanor, but elevates it to a state jail felony if the document involves real property transfer. The bill directly affects Texas notaries public by adding criminal liability for this specific violation, which was previously addressed only through administrative penalties. Key provisions define "personal appearance" as either physical presence during in-person notarizations or using approved video technology for online notarizations. This bill amends Texas Government Code sections related to notary qualifications, disciplinary actions, and criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 4028 defines "preproduction plastic" as plastic resin pellets, flakes, fibers, powders, and coloring used in manufacturing. It requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to classify this material as a Class II nonhazardous industrial waste through regulatory rules. The bill mandates that the TCEQ include pollution from preproduction plastic in water quality monitoring, assessments, and water quality standards under the Water Code. This directly affects the TCEQ's regulatory process and industries that handle preproduction plastic waste, such as plastic manufacturers.

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 5253 allows Texas cities to set lower speed limits (minimum 25 mph) on non-state highways within residential districts without conducting engineering studies. It requires simplified signage (one entrance sign per district instead of block-by-block) and mandates annual public reporting by cities on traffic citations, warnings, and speed-related collisions for these zones. The bill directly affects municipalities managing local street speed limits and takes effect September 1, 2025. Key provisions include removing engineering study requirements for residential areas and establishing standardized data reporting to the state.

Maddy summaryHB 3097 allows cities, special districts, and other political subdivisions (excluding counties and municipal utility districts) to change their general election dates to the statewide November election date. It amends the Election Code to give these local governments the option to align their elections with the standard statewide schedule. Subdivisions must make this change by December 31, 2026, if they currently hold elections on different dates. This bill standardizes election timing for qualifying local jurisdictions without requiring counties or utility districts to adjust.