Rep. Angelia Orr

Maddy summarySB 3048 creates the Bluebonnet Hills Municipal Management District No. 1, a special district in the Bluebonnet Hills area near Midlothian, Texas. The bill grants the district authority to issue bonds for infrastructure, collect property assessments and fees, and use limited eminent domain powers to acquire land for development. It directly affects property owners within the district boundaries by subjecting them to these financial obligations. The district’s purpose is to promote economic development, employment, housing, and public services - supplementing but not replacing city services in the area. The bill establishes a governing board and defines the district’s public purpose under Texas constitutional provisions.

Maddy summarySB 1547 amends Texas Local Government Code Section 118.011 to update fees county clerks charge for property record services. It specifies exact fees for services like filing personal/real property records ($5 first page, $4 additional), certified papers ($5 certificate fee), and electronic copies (e.g., $1 for up to 10 pages, $0.10 per page over 10). The bill directly affects property owners, real estate professionals, and anyone requesting county property records who must pay these fees. It also requires clerks to follow Government Code sections 552.231 and 552.262 for non-paper copies, standardizing electronic copy pricing.

Maddy summaryHB 1481 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt written policies prohibiting student use of personal communication devices (such as cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches) during the school day on school property or at school events. Exceptions allow device use for students with documented medical needs, individualized education plans (IEPs), or health/safety protocols. Schools may implement either a full device ban or a secure storage system for devices during school hours, and must return confiscated devices or dispose of them after providing parents 90 days' written notice. The law takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature.

Maddy summaryHB 1828 allows correctional officers employed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to voluntarily donate up to eight hours of their accrued annual leave or compensatory time each year to a legislative leave pool. This donated time can be used by officers for legislative activities on behalf of a qualifying association that represents correctional officers, has at least 5,000 members, and is governed by a board of directors. The bill limits usage to 80 hours in a 160-hour work cycle and 480 hours per fiscal year, requiring the officer to obtain the association's consent before accessing the time. The program takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates limited liability protection for businesses operating off-road vehicle areas (such as rental facilities or event organizers) for injuries sustained by participants during recreational activities, provided they display required safety warnings. Businesses are protected from lawsuits for participant injuries if the warnings specified in the law are properly posted. The protection does not apply if injuries result from the business's own negligence, and the law specifically covers activities on unpaved surfaces. The bill became effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2217 creates a state grant program to help law enforcement agencies purchase and install bullet-resistant components on vehicles used by peace officers. It directly affects state and local law enforcement agencies (including county and city police departments) by providing funding for bullet-resistant windshields, side windows, rear windows, and door panels. The program requires the Criminal Justice Division to set eligibility rules, application procedures, and grant amounts, while agencies must submit proof of installation after using funds. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and focuses solely on funding vehicle safety upgrades for officers.

Maddy summarySB 823 requires sellers of meat, poultry, and shrimp in Texas to clearly label whether these products originated in Texas. Specifically, labels must state "whether the food originated in this state" for meat, poultry, or shrimp products. This applies to all retailers and importers selling these items within Texas, directly affecting businesses that handle such food products. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025, after rules are adopted by the Health and Human Services Commission.

Maddy summaryHB 132 defines specific information as confidential for Texas governmental entities. It requires confidentiality for emergency response staffing details, tactical plans, contact numbers (including mobile numbers), critical infrastructure risk assessments, encryption codes for public communications, and federal report details related to terrorism or hostile acts by foreign adversaries. This law applies to agencies like law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency services that collect such information. The bill became effective immediately after Governor Abbott signed it on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1922 modifies when a legal claim begins for certain construction liability cases under Texas Government Code Chapter 2272. It specifies that for this chapter only, a claim accrues on the date a required report is postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service. This change does not affect other legal dates, such as insurance policy coverage or statute of limitations deadlines for other purposes. The bill directly impacts construction companies, contractors, and claimants involved in Chapter 2272 claims. It became law on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 128 prohibits Texas governmental entities (including cities, counties, and state agencies) from establishing, maintaining, or renewing sister-city agreements with countries designated as "foreign adversaries" (China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia) or communities within those countries. It requires existing agreements with such countries to be terminated by October 1, 2025. The law defines "sister-city agreements" as formal partnerships fostering cultural, educational, and tourism exchanges with foreign communities. The prohibition expires on January 1, 2027, making it a temporary policy change affecting all Texas local and state governments.