Rep. Will Metcalf

Maddy summaryHJR 4 proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit Texas from imposing an occupation tax on financial firms regulated by federal agencies (like stock exchanges, brokers, and clearinghouses) or taxing their securities transactions. It directly affects entities such as stock exchanges, broker-dealers, and other registered securities market operators. The amendment explicitly allows existing taxes like sales taxes, insurance premiums, and general business taxes but blocks new state taxes targeting securities transactions or these specific firms. This is a constitutional change, not a regular law, requiring voter approval after legislative passage.

Maddy summaryHB 2622 requires that female patients being transported to mental health or residential care facilities must be accompanied by a female care provider, unless specific exceptions apply. The bill allows transport by a male attendant if they wear an activated body camera or if the transport vehicle has active audio/video recording. It also permits transport by a patient's father, husband, adult brother, or son. This law directly affects female patients receiving care in these facilities and sets clear safety and privacy standards for their transportation. The bill amends Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and Health and Safety Code, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1887 allows adopted Texans and specific relatives (adult descendants, adult siblings, surviving spouses, or adoptive parents) to request noncertified copies of original birth certificates without a court order. To qualify, the person must have been born in Texas, make the request after turning 18, have a supplementary birth certificate issued, and provide identity proof. The state registrar will charge the same fee as for standard noncertified birth certificates. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, but the new access provisions won't apply until July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2 establishes a state-funded education savings account program in Texas, allowing eligible families to use public funds for approved educational expenses. The program directly affects Texas families with children who have disabilities or who live in low-income households (at or below 500% of the federal poverty level). The comptroller administers the program, funding accounts with state money that can cover approved education costs like tuition, books, or tutoring. The bill becomes effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 3, 2025. This creates a new state-funded option alongside public schools for participating families.

Maddy summaryHB 5580 requires sheriffs in Texas counties with 100,000+ residents to seek written agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under federal Section 287(g), allowing local officers to enforce federal immigration law. Sheriffs in smaller counties may also pursue such agreements. The bill mandates that agreements specify scope, duration, and limitations, and requires sheriffs to allocate necessary resources for implementation. It also creates a competitive grant program to fund sheriffs in counties under 1 million population that have entered these agreements, supporting their participation through detailed implementation plans. The legislation directly affects county sheriffs and their departments across Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 2869 allows Texas electric utilities to recover costs from major weather-related events or natural disasters by issuing special "system restoration bonds." Utilities with estimated or actual restoration costs of $50 million or more in a single year can apply to the Public Utility Commission for approval to use this financing method. The Commission must approve applications within 150 days, authorizing the bonds and creating "system restoration charges" on customer bills. These charges are later adjusted to match actual costs once known, ensuring billing aligns with verified expenses.

Maddy summaryHB 2989 renames the "Chambers County Improvement District No. 1" to the "Cedar Port Navigation and Improvement District" in Texas law. The bill updates all references to the district's name in the Special District Local Laws Code, including its chapter heading, definition, and legal description. It does not alter the district's existing powers, responsibilities, or operational authority - only changing its official name. The district, serving Chambers County, continues to function under the same legal framework and governance structure. This is a purely administrative name change with no new policy provisions or financial impacts.

Maddy summaryHB 267 amends Texas Penal Code sections 43.24 and 43.25 to add specific affirmative defenses for defendants accused of distributing obscene or harmful material involving children. It allows defenses if the conduct was for judicial, law enforcement, or legislative purposes (Section 43.24(c)), or if the defendant was a spouse, acting for educational/medical purposes, or within two years of the child’s age (Section 43.25(f)). The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not change existing criminal penalties. As of May 2025, the bill remains pending in the legislature after being postponed and laid on the table.

Maddy summaryHB 2954 requires Texas navigation districts to cover all costs when relocating or removing dredged material (such as sediment from waterway maintenance) under their authority. Districts must either pay for the relocation/removal themselves or perform the work directly, covering all expenses after subtracting any value from salvaged material. This directly affects navigation districts managing waterways and property owners impacted by dredging activities. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summaryHB 54, titled "Relating to the display of and allowance for non-human behaviors in Texas schools," is a procedural bill that amends school discipline requirements. It mandates that Texas public school districts include specific factors in their student conduct codes, such as self-defense, intent, disability considerations, and homelessness status, when making disciplinary decisions like suspensions or expulsions. The bill requires schools to post these codes prominently and consider these factors in all disciplinary actions. It does not ban specific activities but standardizes how schools evaluate student behavior. The bill is currently pending in the Education Committee.