Rep. Stan Gerdes

Maddy summaryThis bill standardizes the process for filling vacancies on the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District board. It requires that vacancies be filled "in the manner provided by Section 8849.052 for making the original appointment," and appointees must serve the remainder of the unexpired term. The bill directly affects the district's board members and its governance procedures. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 118 establishes the Texas Advisory Committee on Pacific Conflict to advise the state on preparing for potential conflicts in the Pacific Ocean region. The bill defines "Pacific conflict" as threats involving U.S. allies in the Pacific, including attacks on U.S. homeland or disruptions to supply chains with China or Taiwan. The committee will focus on reducing security vulnerabilities in Texas, protecting critical infrastructure (like oil/gas systems, water supply, and communications networks), and ensuring critical procurement for state operations. This is a procedural bill creating an advisory body, not a direct policy change, with no voting record yet as it remains pending in committee.

Maddy summaryHB 503 amends Texas law to expand eligibility for two salary assistance grant programs. It raises the population cap for qualifying counties (from 300,000 to 400,000) for the rural sheriff's office grant program and for qualifying prosecutor's offices (from 300,000 to 400,000 population in their jurisdiction). Counties and prosecutor's offices in jurisdictions with 300,000-400,000 residents can now apply for higher grant amounts: $650,000 for sheriff offices and $375,000 for prosecutor offices. The bill takes effect immediately if approved by two-thirds vote, or September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Maddy summaryHB 3821 creates a veteran discount program for electronic toll users on specific segments of State Highway 130 in Texas. It requires the Texas Department of Transportation to establish this program using toll revenue collected from the highway segment between U.S. Highway 183 and Interstate 10 (Segments 5 and 6). The discount prioritizes funding for this specific highway section, with any remaining toll revenue potentially extending discounts to other parts of State Highway 130. The program would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1349 requires condominium associations with at least 60 units or those using a management company to post their governing documents (like declarations and bylaws) on a publicly accessible website. It defines "management company" and mandates that associations record detailed management certificates with the county, including the website address where documents are posted. Associations must update these certificates within 30 days of any changes to the recorded information. The bill directly affects larger condo associations and their management companies by increasing transparency about their governing documents and operational details.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 945), not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It formally honors Pope Francis following his death on April 21, 2025, recognizing his life, leadership as the first Latin American pope, and global efforts to serve the vulnerable. The resolution memorializes his legacy, including his work during Argentina's economic crisis, interfaith initiatives, and pandemic-era outreach. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group through policy changes. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to express collective remembrance.

Maddy summaryHB 3189 strengthens penalties for human trafficking by elevating certain offenses to a first-degree felony. It increases punishment when trafficking occurs within 1,000 feet of schools, school bus stops, colleges, youth shelters, juvenile facilities, or child-care centers, or during school events or on school buses. If proven, offenders face life imprisonment or 25-99 years in prison instead of lesser penalties. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025), not past actions. This change directly affects traffickers who target locations where children or vulnerable youth gather.

Maddy summaryHB 4086 allows counties without municipalities requiring food waste diversion to prohibit composting facilities within 3,281 feet of water sources like streams, drains, or recharge areas. It specifically applies to counties that don’t already mandate restaurants to divert food scraps from landfills. The bill defines "composting facilities" as operations handling yard waste, food scraps, and other organic materials from businesses or institutions. This restriction aims to protect water supplies by limiting facility locations near critical water resources. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 391 requires rural area water districts to hold at least one quarterly board meeting within the district or within 10 miles of its boundary, unless meeting in the same county is deemed practical. It defines "rural area districts" as those with over half their water connections active and located outside high-population counties (over 800,000 people as of 2010). The bill allows meetings via phone or video conference for regular sessions, but mandates in-person meetings specifically for tax rate discussions. This applies directly to rural water districts meeting the defined population and connection criteria.