Rep. Stan Gerdes

Maddy summaryBased on the provided context, the bill text for HB 5135 is unavailable (marked as "not currently available, but coming soon"). The title indicates it aims to prohibit discrimination by governmental entities based on "immutable characteristics," but specific provisions, affected groups, or mechanisms are not detailed in the given information. Without access to the bill's full text or summary, a factual policy description cannot be provided. The bill was filed on March 13, 2025, and referred to State Affairs on April 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5087 requires counties with populations of 150,000 or less to create programs for marking used and scrap tires handled by certain businesses. It directly affects tire retailers, fleet operators, and recyclers (called "generators") in those small counties. The law mandates unique identification marks on tires, allows customers to keep tires removed during new tire purchases, and requires retailers to track such tire retention. County programs must also include compliance inspections, with the law taking effect in September 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5325 requires developers to attach certified evidence of adequate groundwater availability for new land subdivisions where groundwater is the intended water source. This applies to all plat applications for such subdivisions and mandates certification from a licensed Texas engineer or geoscientist. Local authorities (municipalities or county commissioners courts) must disapprove applications lacking this certification or failing to demonstrate sufficient groundwater. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will establish specific rules for the certification format and acceptable evidence standards. This bill directly affects land developers and local government officials reviewing subdivision proposals in Texas.

Maddy summaryThe bill HB 5475 is a procedural measure that directs a study and report on the Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act. It does not create new regulations or directly affect specific groups but requires a formal assessment of the existing Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act. The bill was filed on March 14, 2025, and referred to the Energy Resources committee on April 7, 2025. No substantive provisions or policy changes are described in the available context, as the bill's text is noted as "not currently available."

Maddy summaryBased on the provided context, no substantive text for HB 44 is available (the bill text section states "This version is not currently available, but is coming soon"). The bill's title indicates it relates to abortion exceptions based on a physician's medical judgment, but the actual provisions, scope, and affected parties are not described in the provided materials. The bill is in early stages (read first time, pending in committee) but no concrete policy details are accessible. For an accurate summary, the full bill text or official summary would be required.

Maddy summaryThe bill text for HB 4814 is not available in the provided context. The description only states the bill's title and indicates the text is "coming soon," with no substantive details about its provisions. The bill was filed on March 13, 2025, and referred to the Public Education committee on April 3, 2025. Without access to the actual bill language or summary, a factual description of its content, affected parties, or mechanisms cannot be provided.

Maddy summaryHB 4946 would create a new process for certain Texas counties with specific population sizes (e.g., 93,000-99,000 residents) to adopt zoning rules for unincorporated areas not already covered by city zoning. It requires either a commissioners court vote or a voter election triggered by a petition signed by at least 10% of recent gubernatorial voters. The petition must include verified voter registration details and a specific statement about authorizing county zoning in unincorporated zones. This bill directly affects voters in those targeted counties and county officials responsible for zoning decisions. The legislation does not include a criminal offense provision in the provided text, focusing solely on the zoning adoption process.

Maddy summaryHB 4985 requires Texas election officials to conduct standardized public tests of voting systems before certain elections. The bill mandates specific testing procedures, including verifying that all ballot styles, precincts, and contest positions work correctly; testing overvotes, undervotes, write-in votes, provisional ballots, and accessibility features; and confirming poll list accuracy for runoff primaries. These tests must be observed by officials and the testing board, with results compared to expected outcomes. The law applies only to elections held on or after September 1, 2025, and directly affects election administrators managing voting systems.

Maddy summaryHB 4815 modifies Texas Health and Safety Code Section 382.085 to exempt owners or operators of certain industrial facilities from liability for air contaminant emissions caused by a criminal act committed by someone else (not the facility owner/operator). This applies specifically to facilities classified under a designated Standard Industrial Classification Code. The exemption only covers emissions occurring on or after the bill's effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote), and does not affect liability for emissions caused by the facility owner/operator themselves. The law does not change liability for water pollution under the Water Code.

Maddy summaryHB 1789 amends Texas Penal Code Section 49.09(b-2) to increase penalties for intoxication manslaughter. It makes the offense a first-degree felony if the driver caused the death of a person described in Subsection (b-1) (such as a child or first responder) or if multiple people died in the same incident. Currently, this crime is typically a state jail felony; the bill elevates it to a first-degree felony under these specific circumstances. The law will take effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to offenses committed on or after that date. This directly affects drivers convicted of causing death while intoxicated under these enhanced circumstances.