Rep. Briscoe Cain

Maddy summaryHB 941 aims to strengthen Texas' electric grid resilience to prevent future widespread outages like those in 2011 and 2021. It directly affects all Texas residents, particularly vulnerable communities including the elderly, low-income households, and areas near chemical plants or refineries that face heightened risks during power failures. The bill focuses on improving weatherization standards for power infrastructure, enhancing grid management systems to handle rolling outages, and ensuring resources are allocated for grid reliability. These measures are intended to protect public health, prevent economic harm, and address environmental risks linked to past grid failures.

Maddy summaryHB 920 exempts sales and use taxes on firearms, ammunition, firearm accessories, and specific firearm safety equipment (like gun safes, locks, and training materials) from Texas sales and use taxes. This directly affects consumers and retailers purchasing these items, removing a tax burden that currently applies. The exemption applies to the sale, storage, use, or consumption of these items, effective September 1, 2025. The bill does not change taxes owed before this date or impact other tax categories.

Maddy summaryHB 892 would require Texas voters to submit proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. The bill specifies five acceptable documents for proof, including a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate from a U.S. state, or U.S. citizenship papers. Registrars would verify citizenship using these documents during the registration process. The law would take effect on January 1, 2026, but only if a related constitutional amendment is approved by Texas voters in 2025; otherwise, it would not be implemented.

Maddy summaryHCR 13 is a Texas concurrent resolution urging the federal government to investigate the origins of SARS-CoV-2, specifically requesting an unbiased examination of whether the virus originated from a laboratory incident at China's Wuhan Institute of Virology. It directs the U.S. Congress and President to conduct a comprehensive investigation without influence from involved agencies, and to release a full, unredacted final report to Texas citizens. This resolution does not create new laws but formally expresses Texas's position on the pandemic's origins. It directly addresses the federal government, citing concerns about U.S. funding for virus research at the Wuhan lab and intelligence assessments of a possible lab leak.

Maddy summaryHB 763 repeals a provision allowing school districts and other local taxing units to raise property tax rates above voter-approved limits without holding an election in the year following a declared disaster. This bill affects school districts and local governments that previously could bypass voter approval for tax increases after disasters. The key change eliminates the exception that permitted these tax rate hikes without an election, requiring all property tax adjustments to follow standard voter-approval processes. The bill also makes minor technical updates to related sections of the Education Code and Tax Code to align with this repeal.

Maddy summaryHB 818 adds mifepristone and misoprostol to Texas' Schedule IV controlled substances under the Texas Controlled Substances Act. However, it specifically exempts pregnant women from possession prohibitions for these medications, allowing them to legally possess mifepristone or misoprostol for their own use. The bill does not change medical prescribing rules but modifies criminal penalties for unauthorized possession. It takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 789 requires school districts to obtain written parental consent before school staff conduct psychological or psychiatric assessments, tests, or treatment for students. It applies to all school personnel, including contractors, and defines "mental health activities" broadly to include surveys, check-ins, or screenings disguised as academic exercises. Exceptions include mandated special education evaluations, safety recordings (like discipline footage), classroom instruction, and student safety programs. The bill also clarifies it does not override existing child counseling consent rules or mandatory child abuse reporting requirements. This law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHCR 33 is a Texas legislative resolution urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment to permanently maintain nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. It requests Congress submit the "Keep Nine" amendment - which would state "The Supreme Court of the United States shall be composed of nine justices" - for state ratification. The resolution directs Texas officials to send copies to Congress and the Texas delegation, asking them to enter it into the Congressional Record. This is a procedural request, not a binding law, and does not change current Supreme Court composition or federal procedures.

Maddy summaryHCR 79 is a Texas concurrent resolution urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment. It seeks to clarify that states and Congress may reasonably regulate campaign and election spending, including distinguishing between natural persons (individuals) and entities like corporations or unions. The resolution argues current laws allow foreign interference and excessive influence from wealthy groups through hidden spending and "dark money" groups. This is a procedural request - not a law - and would require Congress to draft the amendment and states to ratify it.

Maddy summaryHB 656 requires Texas law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies allowing officers to issue citations instead of making arrests for certain misdemeanor offenses punishable only by a fine, such as minor traffic violations. The bill directs the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute to develop a model policy for these citations, which agencies must adopt or adapt. It amends the Transportation Code to mandate that officers issue a written notice to appear (rather than arrest) for specific offenses like speeding, using a wireless device while driving, or open container violations, provided the person promises to appear in court. This policy applies only to offenses committed on or after the bill's effective date.