Rep. John Bucy

Maddy summaryHB 505 requires Texas state and local officials to issue certified birth records, driver's licenses, or ID certificates to homeless individuals without fees. It defines "homeless individual" as someone lacking a fixed nighttime residence or staying in certain shelters, excluding those in correctional facilities. The bill mandates that the state health department create a verification process using letters from shelters, housing programs, or law enforcement - banning the requirement for a physical address. This directly affects homeless Texans who need official identification to access services like housing, healthcare, or employment.

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 summaryThis bill adds the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festivals to the list of events eligible for state funding under Texas' Major Events Reimbursement Program. It amends the Government Code to include SXSW as a qualifying "Event" under Section 478.0001(3), specifically listing it as item (CC) in the definition. The program reimburses local governments for costs related to hosting major events, directly benefiting SXSW organizers by allowing them to seek state funding for expenses like security and infrastructure. This change expands the program's coverage to include SXSW, which was previously excluded from the defined list of eligible events.

Maddy summaryHB 168 prohibits marriage for anyone under 18 in Texas, eliminating the previous exception that allowed minors to marry with a court order removing the disabilities of minority. The bill amends the Texas Family Code to require county clerks to deny marriage licenses to minors and declare any marriage entered into by a minor void. This change applies to all marriage applications filed and marriages entered into on or after September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects minors under 18 and their families by ending the ability to marry with court approval under prior law.

Maddy summaryHB 1368 requires Texas public schools (with 10,000+ students) to notify parents in writing if they lack a full-time nurse, school counselor, or librarian for more than 30 consecutive instructional days. Schools must send this notice within 30 days of the absence starting, offering bilingual options for non-English speaking families. The law applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and allows schools to post notices on their websites if accessible via three clicks. It does not apply to schools with fewer than 10,000 students.

Maddy summaryHB 722 requires Texas auto insurers to provide policyholders with a written explanation of how they calculate vehicle loss amounts when requested. Specifically, insurers must detail the procedures, formulas, or methods used to determine repair costs and the salvage value of a damaged vehicle. This applies to all auto insurers in Texas (including companies, mutuals, and exchanges) for policies delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, but the disclosure requirement only applies to new policies after 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 35 is a Texas concurrent resolution urging Congress to change federal tax law. It requests that spaceports be added to the list of facilities eligible for tax-exempt private activity bonds - currently available for airports, docks, and similar transportation hubs. This would allow spaceport projects in Texas (where the state ranks second nationally in spaceport locations and hosts over 2,000 aerospace businesses) to access lower-cost financing for infrastructure development. The resolution does not change state law but formally asks federal lawmakers to amend the Internal Revenue Code to support this change.

Maddy summaryHB 4309 changes the filing fee requirements for candidates seeking nomination by political convention in Texas elections. It requires candidates for statewide or district offices to pay a fee to the state chair or submit a petition instead, while candidates for county or precinct offices must pay the county chair or judge. The bill repeals outdated sections (181.0311(c) and (d)) of the Election Code and takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects candidates running for elected office who choose convention nomination over other methods. The bill failed to pass on May 13, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2785 requires Texas' Secretary of State website to display a mandatory confirmation message during online voter registration before the application is finalized. This message requires applicants to electronically confirm two key points: that completing the form does not equal voter registration, and that the completed application must still be submitted to a local voter registrar. The website must block further interaction until this confirmation is given, ensuring applicants understand the registration process isn't complete upon form submission. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects all Texas residents using the state's online voter registration system.

Maddy summaryHB 2876 amends a 2007 agreement for State Highway 130 (Segments 5 and 6) to extend its term by up to 20 years. It requires the private participant to provide consideration (such as payments) and detail public benefits for the extension. Funds from this agreement must be used exclusively for nontolled transportation projects between I-35 and SH 130 in the affected county, with county approval required before spending. The Texas Department of Transportation must report on implementation by December 1, 2026. The bill passed in May 2025 and takes effect September 1, 2025.