Rep. Stan Gerdes

Maddy summaryHB 3794 updates Texas licensing rules for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists. It clarifies their scope of practice under the Occupations Code and requires certain government employee health plans to directly pay APRNs for services they provide. The bill defines key terms like "advanced practice registered nurse" and specifies that APRNs may administer medications under authorized orders, excluding medical diagnosis. This directly affects APRNs working in government health plans and changes how these plans reimburse their services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas to recognize valid handgun licenses issued by other states, directly affecting out-of-state license holders and Texas law enforcement. It mandates recognition if the other state either has a reciprocal agreement with Texas or conducts background checks through FBI databases (National Crime Information Center and Interstate Identification Index) before issuing licenses. Texas will publish an annual list of states recognizing Texas licenses. The bill repeals prior requirements for out-of-state license recognition and takes effect September 1, 2025, unless approved for immediate effect by a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summaryThe context provided does not include the actual text or provisions of HB 259. The bill description states "This version is not currently available, but is coming soon. In the meantime, please see the PDF for the content of this bill," and no substantive details about the bill's provisions, affected parties, or mechanisms are included in the provided text. Without access to the bill's content, a factual summary cannot be generated. The available information only notes the bill's title, committee referral, and recent procedural actions.

Maddy summaryHB 4660 establishes that space flight activities in Texas fall under both federal and state jurisdiction, prohibiting counties, municipalities, or other local entities from banning or regulating these activities (except as specified in Section 61.132 of the Natural Resources Code). The bill specifically applies to counties bordering the Gulf of Mexico with FAA-approved spaceports and smaller municipalities (under 150,000 population) that have beach access plans. It requires advance notice to local governments for launch dates between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (to the municipality) or 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. (to the commissioners court), and allows temporary beach closures near launch sites for public safety during those dates. The bill does not create new regulations but clarifies local governments' limited authority over space flight activities near coastal areas.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) congratulating Jerry Lou Haddock of Houston on her 90th birthday. It recognizes her personal milestones, including her 1956 marriage, volunteer work with Girl Scouts and hospital guilds, decades of Republican voting, and family life. The resolution was adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on April 9, 2025, and includes a formal expression of "high regard" for her. It has no policy impact or effect on laws, as it solely serves to honor an individual.

Maddy summaryHB 2034 would require Texas groundwater districts to deny permits or permit renewals to foreign entities from countries identified by the U.S. Director of National Intelligence as posing national security risks, if the permit would create a risk to public health, safety, or welfare. The bill specifically targets permits for foreign individuals or organizations (including corporations) controlled by such entities, defining "risk" to include criminal violations, corporate espionage, or threats to public safety. It explicitly excludes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and organizations owned by them. The law aims to prevent groundwater permits from being issued to entities linked to national security threats as defined by federal intelligence assessments.

Maddy summaryHB 2815 authorizes Texas political subdivisions (like cities, counties, and water districts) to issue bonds for large-scale water supply projects included in the state water plan. It specifically applies to projects with cumulative costs of at least $750 million that are identified as recommended strategies in the state water plan. The bill allows these entities to finance or refinance qualifying projects, refund related debt, or cover issuance costs through bond sales secured by project revenues. This creates a new financing mechanism for major water infrastructure without conflicting with existing state water laws.

Maddy summaryHB 3482 requires the Lower Colorado River Authority to conduct environmental studies before issuing permits for new quarries or mines located within specific zones: four miles of Authority-owned lakes, four miles of state park entrances, or two miles of state-licensed youth camps. This bill directly affects quarry and mine operators seeking permits in those designated areas, mandating confirmation that operations won’t harm protected resources. The law applies only to permit applications filed on or after September 1, 2025, with pre-existing applications governed by prior law. It creates a new procedural requirement for environmental review, not a broad policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 8 reduces the maximum tax rate school districts can collect for the 2025-2026 school year by $0.0331, calculated using a new method in Section 48.2554 of the Education Code. It directly affects all Texas public school districts by adjusting how their maximum tax rates are determined, ensuring rates don’t drop below 90% of neighboring districts’ rates. The bill updates references to "maximum compressed tax rate" in multiple education funding laws to reflect this change and expires on September 1, 2027. It takes effect September 1, 2025, with no additional funding or program changes beyond the tax rate adjustment.

Maddy summaryHB 10, the Regulatory Reform and Efficiency Act, creates the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office within the governor's office to streamline how state agencies develop and enforce rules. The bill requires agencies to identify unnecessary regulations, reduce costs for businesses and individuals subject to rules, and improve public access to rule information through a new online portal. Key provisions mandate agencies set goals to eliminate ineffective rules and minimize regulatory burdens while maintaining public protection. This bill directly affects state agencies and the businesses, professionals, and residents regulated by their rules.