Rep. Stan Gerdes

Maddy summaryHB 1689 restricts how groundwater conservation districts in Texas can use funds from increased groundwater export fees collected after January 1, 2024. Districts may only spend these funds on: maintaining wells affected by groundwater development (including outside their district), developing alternative water supplies, or conducting aquifer monitoring and science. The bill requires districts to enter into formal agreements with other districts if they want to use these funds to maintain wells located in a different district. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects groundwater conservation districts managing export fee revenues.

Maddy summarySB 1146 allows mineral estate owners, surface owners, or operators in good standing to contract with Railroad Commission-approved well pluggers to plug or replug inactive oil and gas wells without current operators (so-called "orphaned wells"). The bill requires contractors to send 30-day notice to the well's operator or surface owner before work begins and mandates compliance with Commission rules. Crucially, it clarifies that paying for plugging does not create liability for future plugging obligations, and evidence of such payments cannot be used against the payer in legal disputes about well responsibility. This law, effective September 1, 2025, provides a clear legal pathway for voluntary well plugging while protecting parties from unintended legal exposure.

Maddy summaryHB 1523 temporarily prohibits the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality from authorizing Class V injection wells for aquifer storage projects in specific areas. It directly affects municipally-owned water utilities serving cities with populations of 750,000 or more located in counties adjacent to groundwater conservation districts that have certified environmental risks from such wells. The prohibition applies only where a groundwater district has adopted a resolution identifying Class V wells as posing aquifer risks, and it expires December 31, 2027. This bill creates a time-limited regulatory restriction on water storage projects under defined conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 796 would allow the Texas legislature to declare certain federal laws, executive orders, or agency rules unconstitutional if they infringe on state powers under the Tenth Amendment or limit Texas's ability to protect public health, safety, or welfare. The bill creates a process where the legislature could pass a concurrent resolution to declare a federal directive unconstitutional and then prohibit state and local government employees from enforcing it. This would directly affect most state and local officials, including county, city, school district, and charter school employees, but exclude the lieutenant governor, legislators, and their staff. The bill does not create new penalties but establishes a formal legislative mechanism to block state enforcement of federal actions deemed unconstitutional by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 3225 requires municipal public libraries in Texas to restrict minors (under 18) from accessing sexually explicit materials in sections designated for younger audiences. Libraries must remove such materials from "minor's sections" and obtain legal guardian consent before allowing minors to check out or view these materials. The bill imposes civil penalties for violations, including fines. It directly affects municipal public libraries, minors, and their guardians by changing how libraries manage content access in designated youth areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Texas judges to deny bail to individuals classified as "illegal aliens" charged with felony offenses, if a judge determines probable cause exists. It defines "illegal alien" as someone who entered the U.S. without inspection or violated nonimmigrant visa terms. The amendment would automatically deny bail pending trial for such individuals, without requiring additional proof of flight risk or danger. If approved by voters in 2025, it would become part of the Texas Constitution. (Note: This is a procedural proposal requiring voter approval, not an immediate law.)

Maddy summarySB 2568 exempts certain local flood control reservoirs from requiring a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). It applies specifically to dams or reservoirs built under federal Public Law 83-566 and operated by "Qualified Local Sponsors" (like soil and water conservation districts) for erosion, floodwater, and sediment control. These sponsors can construct or maintain reservoirs with up to 200 acre-feet of storage and divert water for maintenance without a TCEQ permit. The exemption covers existing projects under federal agreements and remains valid even if the federal partnership ends, as long as the reservoir continues to serve its intended purpose.

Maddy summarySB 3058 authorizes the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District to use fees collected from water exports to improve county roads needed for inspecting district wells and develop environmental programs related to groundwater. The bill adds Section 8865.1025 to the Local Laws Code, requiring the district to enter annual agreements with counties for these projects, approved by the district board. It also clarifies that fees under Section 8865.151(d) can fund these specific road and environmental programs, in addition to operating costs. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting the district, counties with wells in its area, and groundwater management programs.

Maddy summarySB 1080 requires Texas licensing authorities to issue either a full occupational license or a provisional license (valid for six months) to otherwise qualified applicants who have been convicted of certain offenses, instead of automatically denying their applications. The provisional license begins on the date an applicant is released from prison if they were incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. This bill directly affects individuals with criminal convictions seeking occupational licenses (such as for nursing, contracting, or other licensed professions) who meet all other qualification requirements. It aims to reduce barriers to employment by providing a temporary licensing pathway for these applicants.

Maddy summaryHCR 40 is a Texas legislative resolution urging Congress to reimburse the state for border security costs incurred under Operation Lone Star. It states Texas has spent billions since 2021 on this initiative - including surveillance, law enforcement support, and managing migration - resulting in over 516,000 apprehensions and 45,300 arrests. The resolution formally requests Congress assume responsibility for border security costs, directing Texas officials to send copies to the U.S. President and congressional leaders. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create law but serves as a formal request to federal lawmakers.