Rep. Jared Patterson

Maddy summaryHB 3187 creates a "General Mobility Program" allowing municipalities within regional transportation authorities to use up to 25% of their local sales tax revenue for transportation infrastructure projects. It directly affects cities in these authorities, enabling them to fund sidewalks, trails, streetlights, traffic signals, and drainage improvements on roads. The bill requires municipalities to submit annual project lists to regional boards and mandates that funds be distributed 50% upfront and 50% on reimbursement, with unused funds applied to debt payments secured by a 1% sales tax. This establishes a new, structured way for local governments to allocate tax revenue toward mobility improvements within their communities.

Maddy summaryHB 1777 requires Texas driver's licenses and personal ID certificates to include a visible designation indicating the holder is a registered sex offender, as mandated by a court order under Texas law. This designation applies only to licenses issued or renewed on or after September 1, 2025, leaving existing licenses unaffected. The bill directly affects individuals subject to sex offender registration under Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. It does not change registration requirements but adds a standardized visual identifier to identification documents for public awareness. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, as specified in Section 3.

Maddy summaryHB 2969 prohibits the Texas State Bar from adopting rules, policies, or penalties that restrict law license applicants or holders based on religious beliefs or burden constitutional rights. It specifically bans limitations on licensing due to sincerely held religious beliefs, or restrictions on free speech (including religious or political views), religious association, or assembly. Exceptions allow rules that serve a compelling government interest narrowly tailored to that purpose, or that address willful bias in court proceedings. The bill enables licensees to challenge violations through administrative hearings or lawsuits under Texas law, but not in cases involving sexual misconduct allegations or criminal prosecution.

Maddy summaryHB 778 requires most health insurance plans in Texas to cover medical expenses related to complications ("adverse effects") from gender transition treatments and procedures to reverse those treatments. It applies to individual, group, and employer-sponsored health plans, including HMOs, nonprofit health plans, and certain government-sponsored coverage. The law specifically mandates coverage for medical/surgical expenses tied to complications or reversals of gender transition procedures, not for standard transition care itself. This affects insurers offering plans under Texas Insurance Code chapters 842-846, 884-885, 941-942, and 1501-1682.

Maddy summaryHB 1674 would ban the production, sale, and use of certain agricultural products containing PFAS chemicals (like pesticides or crop protectants). It directly affects agricultural businesses, manufacturers, and sellers of these products. The bill creates criminal penalties for violations, treating unauthorized PFAS use as a punishable offense. The bill is currently pending in the Environmental Regulation committee after committee hearings. (Note: Full bill text is not yet available; this summary is based on the title and pending status.)

Maddy summaryHB 3076 amends Texas Tax Code Section 351.1015 to expand which municipalities can use specific tax revenue for qualified projects. It applies to cities meeting one of six population-based criteria, including cities with populations between 700,000-950,000, cities covering 70%+ of a county with 1.5 million+ residents, or cities with populations of 2 million+. The bill updates eligibility rules for using certain tax revenues on qualifying infrastructure or development projects. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and supersedes conflicting 2025 legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 4272 amends Texas Utilities Code to change how municipalities can require utility relocations for street projects. It allows cities to mandate telecom utilities and franchise holders (like cable companies) to move facilities in public right-of-ways at the municipality's expense, rather than the utility's, when widening streets or accommodating other municipal projects. The bill requires municipalities to give 30 days' notice and specify the new facility location. This applies to projects like road widening and takes effect September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects municipal infrastructure planning and utility companies operating in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 3727 creates a state grant program to fund railroad grade separation projects at non-state highway intersections and pedestrian crossings. It directly affects local governments and railroad companies by providing grants for projects that improve safety and reduce traffic. Key requirements include a 10% non-state funding match (from other sources or as matching funds) and restrictions on using state highway funds. The program can only use state appropriations, federal grants, or donations, and the Transportation Commission must adopt rules by October 2025.

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 298 requires Texas driver's licenses and personal ID certificates to include a clear indication that the holder is a U.S. citizen. This applies to all licenses issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The bill specifies that licenses must also display the holder's full name, date of birth, a full-face photograph, a distinguishing number, and either a residence address or, for certain federal judges or officials, the courthouse address. It does not change existing requirements for non-citizens. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.