Maddy summaryHB 2215 removes a prohibition on handgun possession for retired attorneys who previously represented the state in legal roles (such as district attorneys or county attorneys). Specifically, it amends the Penal Code to exempt these retired attorneys from handgun possession restrictions if they hold a valid state license to carry a handgun under Texas Government Code Subchapter H. The bill directly affects honorably retired state attorneys who were licensed to carry weapons during their active service. This change aligns their carrying rights with current state attorneys and ensures continuity for retired legal professionals who maintained their licensing. The provision does not create new licensing requirements but clarifies that existing state-licensed retired attorneys may carry handguns without violating Penal Code restrictions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1784 requires Texas public colleges to appoint at least one liaison officer to support two specific student groups: those experiencing homelessness and those who were in foster care (or are currently in foster care). The liaison must connect students to resources like financial aid, on-campus housing, food programs, and counseling services, and help transition students from high school to college. The bill also mandates that institutions identify eligible students using admission and financial aid applications, and it requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to ensure liaisons complete federal training on supporting homeless students. This law directly affects students at public universities and community colleges across Texas who face housing instability or foster care backgrounds.
Maddy summaryHB 170 creates civil immunity for individuals who use or threaten to use force or deadly force that is justified under Texas Penal Code Chapter 9 (e.g., self-defense or defense of others). It protects such individuals from civil lawsuits seeking damages for personal injury or death resulting from their justified actions. The bill also requires courts to award defendants who win immunity claims reasonable attorney fees, court costs, and related expenses. It repeals Section 9.06 of the Penal Code and applies only to cases occurring on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state and local government employees from distributing voter registration forms to people who did not request them, and bans using public funds to facilitate such unsolicited distribution. Political parties and candidates are exempt from this restriction. The law creates a new criminal offense for violations and takes effect September 1, 2025. It directly affects government workers handling voter registration processes.
Maddy summaryHB 2806 increases criminal penalties for dog owners whose dogs cause injury or death through unprovoked attacks. It creates new offenses: a Class B misdemeanor for bodily injury, a third-degree felony for serious injury, and a second-degree felony if death occurs. The bill applies to owners who fail to secure dangerous dogs (as defined by law) or knowingly allow them to attack outside their property. Key provisions include requiring animal control authorities to determine if a dog is "dangerous" after incidents and adding confidentiality protections for witness statements provided during investigations. These changes directly affect dog owners and law enforcement handling dog attack cases under Texas Health and Safety Code.
Maddy summaryHB 5356 prevents Texas municipalities from banning or restricting activities involving horse-drawn carriages, such as business tours, educational programs, or entertainment events. The bill directly affects local governments (municipalities) that might have considered enacting ordinances limiting these activities, and it applies to anyone operating horse-drawn carriages for permitted purposes. Its key provision prohibits municipalities from adopting or enforcing any ordinance, regulation, or measure that restricts such carriage activities. The bill does not create new regulations but blocks local restrictions, ensuring carriage-based activities cannot be prohibited for business, educational, or entertainment use. This is a policy change affecting municipal authority over carriage operations, not the carriage activities themselves.
Maddy summaryHB 4663 specifies exact routes for permits allowing oversized and overweight vehicles to travel between border crossings and ports in Cameron County (which borders Mexico). It details paths using U.S. Highways 77 and 83, State Highway 4, and Farm-to-Market roads to reach Brownsville Port, Harlingen Port entrances, and Boca Chica Beach. The bill directly affects trucking companies moving large equipment and port authorities in border counties. It formalizes routing requirements for permit issuance under the Texas Transportation Code, effective September 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHJR 98 is a Texas legislative resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It seeks to propose amendments that would impose spending limits on the federal government, reduce federal power over states, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. Texas formally applies to Congress to initiate this process, with the resolution intended as a continuing application until at least 34 states (two-thirds) support the same purpose. This is a procedural request - Texas has no authority to create new laws, but aims to join other states in advancing this constitutional mechanism.
Maddy summaryHB 3787 prohibits the sale, distribution, or offering for sale of counterfeit lighters (imitations violating trademark laws) or unsafe lighters (those not meeting specific ASTM safety standards for consumer lighters or utility lighters, as of January 1, 2025). It directly affects manufacturers, retailers, and distributors who sell such lighters, including online or in-person. The bill imposes civil penalties of up to $100 per unsafe or counterfeit lighter sold, capped at $100,000 for all violations within a 30-day period. Exceptions exist for interstate transportation and warehouse storage not involving sales to consumers within Texas.
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.