Rep. Ray Lopez

Maddy summaryHB 3083 directs the Texas utility commission to provide a one-time grant to a qualified Texas-based nonprofit research organization with at least 75 years of experience and a nuclear research program. The grant funds a study assessing mini nuclear reactors' effectiveness and feasibility for power generation in Texas. The commission must submit a report with study results and recommendations to state leaders by December 1, 2026. This bill expires August 31, 2027, and does not authorize reactor construction or funding beyond the study.

Maddy summaryHB 2381 requires firearm owners who lose or have their guns stolen to report the incident to a police officer within 10 days of discovering the loss. Owners must provide their name, firearm details, and the date the loss was discovered. Failure to report within this timeframe is classified as a misdemeanor (Class C, escalating to Class B for repeat violations). The Texas Department of Public Safety will forward all reports to the National Crime Information Center for tracking. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2380 proposes to amend Texas Penal Code Section 46.06 by prohibiting firearm transfers to specific groups. It bans selling or giving firearms to minors under 18 (except with parental written permission), people under 21, individuals who are intoxicated, those convicted of felonies within five years of release, and people subject to active protective orders. Exceptions include transfers for peace officers or military personnel performing official duties. Violations would be Class A misdemeanors, with certain offenses (like selling to under-21s with handguns) classified as state jail felonies. The bill does not affect legal firearm owners but restricts transfers to the specified prohibited groups.

Maddy summaryHB 2356 makes it a criminal offense to intentionally possess, manufacture, transport, repair, or sell specific devices designed to modify handguns to shoot automatically without manual reloading. The bill directly affects individuals handling prohibited items like automatic handgun modification devices, machine guns, short-barrel firearms, armor-piercing ammunition, zip guns, and other listed devices - unless registered federally or classified as curios/relics. Key provisions expand criminal penalties under Texas Penal Code Section 46.05 for these specific devices, with the law applying only to offenses occurring on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025). The bill does not change existing laws for offenses committed before this date.

Maddy summaryHB 1537 establishes Texas's participation in the Licensed Professional Counselors Compact, enabling counselors licensed in Texas to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It authorizes fees for administering the Compact and includes provisions for mutual recognition of licenses, telehealth services, support for military spouses relocating with active-duty personnel, and shared enforcement of licensure standards. This directly affects licensed counselors seeking to provide services across state lines and clients in multiple states. The bill creates a framework for interstate practice while preserving each state's authority to regulate counseling services within its borders.

Maddy summaryHB 1300 requires Texas health officials to send deidentified data from veteran death certificates (including cause of death, age, race, gender, and occupation) to the Texas Veterans Commission. The Commission must then annually compile and publish a report by September 1st, starting in 2026, containing summarized data, analysis, and potential recommendations for legislative action. This bill directly affects the Texas Veterans Commission and state vital statistics offices by creating a new data-sharing and reporting process. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and mandates the first report by September 1, 2026. It focuses on gathering and analyzing veteran mortality data to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 381 proposes a pilot program to award grants for personalized treatment protocols for veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The bill would directly affect veterans with PTSD and healthcare providers administering these treatments. Key provisions include establishing a grant program to fund customized treatment plans, though specific funding amounts, eligibility criteria, and program duration are not detailed in the available context. The bill is currently pending in committee after recent public hearings. Without the full bill text, precise mechanisms or implementation details cannot be confirmed.

Maddy summaryHB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia and related disorders. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and other eligible organizations for research into dementia causes, prevention strategies, treatments, and symptom mitigation. It establishes oversight committees to manage grants, ensure compliance, and requires annual public reports detailing funded projects and recipients. The institute is set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless extended under Texas Sunset Act procedures.

Maddy summaryHJR 3 proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. The bill would transfer $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026, for research, prevention, and treatment of dementia and related disorders. The institute would award grants to Texas research institutions, medical facilities, and collaboratives to develop treatments, prevention programs, and address access to care. This initiative directly affects Texans living with dementia and their families, as well as researchers and healthcare providers in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1172 requires Texas' Department of Information Resources to study cybersecurity challenges faced by small businesses, focusing on protecting against threats, supply chain risks, and recovery from incidents. The study will examine barriers to obtaining cybersecurity tools, the cost of existing tax incentives, and the impact of cyberattacks on small businesses. It specifically assesses whether a state grant program could help small businesses upgrade security systems and access training. The bill does not create new programs but aims to inform future policy decisions based on this research.