Rep. Will Metcalf

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas utility regulators to use an electric utility's actual debt and equity mix (as reported in its most recent financial statement) when calculating rates for utilities operating solely within the ERCOT grid. If regulators determine this actual ratio is unreasonable, they must instead use the national average equity ratio for similar electric utilities. The law applies only to new rate cases initiated after the bill's effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote). It does not change how rates are calculated, but establishes a new presumption about what constitutes a reasonable capital structure for rate-setting.

Maddy summaryHB 113 modifies Texas law on how courts interpret statutes. It restricts courts from considering legislative intent (like statements from lawmakers or committee reports) when reading laws, requiring them to focus only on the plain text of the statute. The bill also prohibits courts from automatically deferring to state agencies' interpretations of laws, though reasonable agency views that match the statute's wording may still be considered. This directly affects courts, state agencies, and anyone involved in legal cases interpreting Texas laws. The changes aim to limit judicial interpretation methods and emphasize the written text of statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 3897 requires municipalities that annex territory within an emergency services district to notify the district board in writing within 30 days of completing annexation procedures. The district board must then decide within 30 days whether to disannex the territory, based on whether municipal emergency services (fire/medical) will meet or exceed the district’s current service level. If the board fails to act within 30 days, the disannexation is automatically approved. This bill directly affects municipalities seeking to take over emergency services and the districts managing those services.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. It directs the transfer of $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026. The fund will provide grants for research, prevention programs, and treatment development related to dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related disorders. The institute will oversee funding for research institutions, medical facilities, and collaborative efforts across Texas, directly benefiting residents affected by these conditions through expanded research and prevention initiatives.

Maddy summarySJR 37 proposes a constitutional amendment to explicitly state that non-U.S. citizens cannot vote in Texas. It amends Article VI, Section 1(a) of the Texas Constitution by adding "persons who are not citizens of the United States" as a prohibited voting class. This would clarify existing voting eligibility rules by making citizenship a constitutional requirement, directly affecting non-citizen residents. The amendment must be approved by Texas voters in the November 4, 2025, election to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 1930 directs all revenue from Texas saltwater fishing stamp sales (collected on or after September 1, 2025) to fund specific coastal fisheries programs. The bill requires these funds to be used exclusively for: repairing fish hatcheries and related facilities, restoring saltwater fish habitats, developing shoreline angler access projects, and purchasing licenses through designated buyback programs. It does not affect current stamp revenue collected before the effective date. The law ensures these funds directly support conservation, habitat management, and recreational access for saltwater fishing in Texas.

Maddy summarySB 1066 requires contractors working on public work contracts exceeding $150,000 with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to provide both a performance bond (to ensure project completion) and a payment bond (to guarantee payment to subcontractors and suppliers). This applies only to new contracts advertised or solicited on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting contractors bidding on large-scale department projects. Existing contracts solicited before this date remain governed by prior law. The bill amends Parks and Wildlife Code Section 11.0171 to implement these bond requirements for qualifying public work contracts.

Maddy summarySB 1185 exempts certain medical boilers used in FDA-regulated equipment (like hospital autoclaves) from Texas boiler registration and inspection requirements. It applies specifically to boilers meeting strict size and pressure limits: max 16-inch diameter, 20 square feet heating surface (or electric), 5 cubic feet volume, and 100 psi pressure. This directly affects medical facilities and equipment manufacturers using qualifying devices. The exemption became effective September 1, 2025, after the bill was signed into law.

Maddy summaryHB 3009 expands Texas' Department of Public Safety database to include individuals convicted of two or more specific violent offenses, including assault with a deadly weapon (Penal Code §§ 22.01, 22.02) or offenses involving force/deadly force, and non-citizens unlawfully present in the U.S. who have two or more such convictions. The bill requires the database to include full names, aliases, dates of birth, physical descriptions, conviction details, and for non-citizens, their last known location. It mandates that the DPS add historical data for qualifying offenders convicted before the law's effective date (by January 1, 2026), unless the individual would be removed from the database under existing rules. This affects law enforcement agencies and individuals with multiple violent offense convictions who meet the expanded criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 139 creates a new category of employer-sponsored health benefit plans that may exclude certain state-mandated health benefits, while still requiring coverage for federal essential health benefits. It requires health benefit plan issuers to offer these "employer choice of benefits plans" and mandates clear written notice to enrollees at the start of enrollment documents. The notice must explicitly state that the plan may exclude standard Texas-mandated benefits and provide fewer benefits than typical plans, with bold text highlighting this choice. The bill establishes definitions and rules for these plans under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1506. This directly affects employers offering health benefits and employees choosing their coverage options.