Rep. Jared Patterson

Maddy summaryHB 4010 requires Texas school districts to remove library materials (including physical books, classroom collections, or online catalog items) that fail to meet adopted standards within 30 days of notification. School district superintendents who fail to remove non-compliant materials face a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per material (with multiple copies of the same item counting as one violation). The Attorney General can investigate violations and pursue penalties to enforce this requirement. This bill directly affects school districts' library management practices and applies starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 3980 regulates fantasy sports contests in Texas by requiring operators to obtain a business license and pay fees. It imposes a tax on "adjusted gross fantasy contest receipts" (calculated as entry fees collected from Texas participants minus prizes paid), with the tax rate based on the percentage of total entry fees from Texas residents. The bill also authorizes administrative penalties for operators who fail to comply with licensing, tax, or fee requirements. This directly affects businesses running online fantasy sports contests, not participants or regular sports betting.

Maddy summaryHB 4100 protects healthcare providers from retaliation when reporting certain issues related to patient care. It prohibits health care facilities, government entities, or others from taking adverse actions (like termination or demotion) against physicians or providers who report violations such as unsafe treatment practices, public health risks, mismanagement of funds, or abuse of authority. The bill creates a civil remedy, allowing affected providers to sue for damages if retaliation occurs. It applies broadly to all healthcare workers covered under the definition, including nurses, technicians, pharmacists, and medical students. The law aims to encourage reporting of serious concerns without fear of professional consequences.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 669) is a symbolic gesture by the Texas House of Representatives recognizing March 26, 2025, as "Upbring Advocacy Day." It honors Upbring, a Texas nonprofit that provides foster care, adoption services, and youth support across 80 locations, serving over 14,000 young Texans annually. The resolution has no policy impact - it merely expresses the House's recognition of Upbring's work through a commemorative date and a formal letter to the organization.

Maddy summaryHB 3606 would exempt certain teacher candidates from certification examinations. Specifically, it proposes that individuals holding a bachelor's degree in education from a "general academic teaching institution" (as defined in Education Code §61.003) would not need to take required certification exams when seeking teacher certification under Education Code §21.048. The bill amends the Education Code to create this exemption, directly affecting new teachers graduating from eligible institutions. The change would take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3610 prohibits state governors and appointing authorities from considering race or ethnicity when selecting members for state boards, commissions, or agencies with statewide jurisdiction. The bill amends two sections of the Texas Government Code (467.021(b) and 651.009(a)) to remove existing requirements that appointments should reflect "race, ethnicity, and geographic diversity" or "racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity." This directly affects how appointments are made to over 100 state boards and commissions, including those governing education, health, and transportation. The law would take effect September 1, 2025, replacing current diversity considerations with a focus solely on economic status, sex, and geographic representation.

Maddy summaryThis resolution ceremonially recognizes the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) for its 50 years of work improving animal welfare in Texas. It designates March 25, 2025, as "Texas Humane Legislation Network Day" at the State Capitol to honor the organization's advocacy, education, and collaborations with animal welfare stakeholders. The resolution serves as a formal gesture of appreciation - extending a welcome to THLN members and their delegation - without creating any new laws or policy changes. It directly affects THLN and its 27,000+ members by acknowledging their contributions through official recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow honorably discharged veterans aged 65 or older in Texas to receive free hunting and fishing licenses. It adds this group to existing fee waiver categories under Texas Parks and Wildlife law, covering both individual licenses and combination hunting/fishing licenses. The waiver applies only to licenses issued on or after September 1, 2025, with no refunds for licenses purchased before that date. The policy directly affects eligible veterans seeking these recreational licenses through the Parks and Wildlife Department.

Maddy summaryHB 3374 requires Texas' Public Utility Commission and ERCOT to create rules that address market price distortions caused by federal tax credits for renewable energy (specifically Section 45 credits). It mandates that electricity providers benefiting from these tax credits cover costs related to maintaining sufficient power capacity during peak demand, rather than passing these costs to other ratepayers. The bill also directs the elimination of existing pricing rules that adjust electricity costs based on reserve levels and outage risks. This policy directly affects renewable energy generators receiving federal tax credits and aims to ensure fair cost allocation within Texas' electricity market.

Maddy summaryHB 3244 requires wind energy operators (electric co-ops, utilities, or power companies selling wholesale wind energy) that use FAA-mandated aviation obstruction lighting to apply for and install light-reducing technology. It sets deadlines: operators must submit applications 180 days before commercial operations (for turbines installed after 2026) or within 180 days of repowering/long-term contracts (for older turbines), with installation required within 18 months of FAA approval. The bill mandates quarterly reports to the commission if delays occur due to external factors, and authorizes administrative penalties up to $1 million for ongoing violations. This directly affects wind energy producers with FAA lighting requirements, focusing on reducing light pollution from turbines without altering energy production rules.