Rep. Stan Gerdes

Maddy summaryHB 2955 prohibits Texas SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients from using benefits to buy candy or soft drinks. It defines "candy" as sugar-based treats (like chocolate bars) and "soft drinks" as non-alcoholic sweetened beverages (excluding milk, soy milk, or drinks with over 50% fruit/vegetable juice). The bill requires Texas to seek federal approval for this restriction, as SNAP rules are federally managed. This policy directly affects SNAP beneficiaries who currently use benefits for these items, with exemptions for dairy and juice-based drinks.

Maddy summaryHB 3186 requires out-of-state colleges competing against Texas public universities in intercollegiate athletics to certify 30 days before the event that they will follow Texas' biological sex-based team eligibility rules. It directly affects out-of-state institutions competing against Texas schools in sports, mandating this certification to ensure compliance with Texas' policy. The bill adds this certification requirement to the Education Code, applying to all such competitions starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. It does not alter existing rules for Texas schools or individual athlete eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 2605 requires large municipally owned water utilities (those serving over 150,000 connections) to validate annual water loss reports submitted to the Texas Water Development Board within 180 days. For utilities with three consecutive years of high water loss, the bill mandates more detailed validation of leakage reduction strategies and billing data, plus updated mitigation plans. These plans must include specific short- and long-term goals, project descriptions, and estimated financial/water savings, and be incorporated into existing water conservation plans. The bill authorizes administrative penalties for noncompliance but does not specify penalty amounts. It directly affects municipal water systems meeting the connection threshold, aiming to improve reporting accuracy and reduce water waste.

Maddy summaryHB 76 prohibits local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to pay nonprofit organizations that accept public donations to post bail bonds for defendants. It directly affects political subdivisions that might fund such bail programs through public money. The bill bans this spending and allows taxpayers or residents to sue to stop it, with successful plaintiffs able to recover legal fees. The law would take effect September 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summaryHJR 15 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing judges to deny bail to individuals accused of specific serious crimes - including first-degree sexual offenses, violent offenses, or continuous human trafficking - pending trial. Judges may deny bail only after a hearing where they find, by clear and convincing evidence, that bail would not ensure the defendant’s court appearance or community safety. The amendment requires judges to issue a written order detailing their findings and reasoning. It does not restrict defendants’ rights to challenge bail denials under existing law and specifies that judges must consider standard bail factors when making decisions. The amendment must be approved by Texas voters in the 2025 election.

Maddy summaryHJR 16 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Texas courts to deny bail to non-citizens (defined as "illegal aliens" under the bill) charged with felony offenses if a judge finds probable cause they committed the crime. The amendment specifies that bail denial applies only after a hearing where probable cause is established, not automatically. This change would require voter approval in November 2025 before taking effect, as it seeks to amend the Texas Constitution. The bill directly affects non-citizens facing felony charges in Texas courts who meet the defined "illegal alien" criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 2499 allows certain public school employees - classroom teachers, full-time librarians, school counselors, and nurses with less than five years of experience - to receive salary step credit for five years of experience under specific conditions. To qualify, an employee must have earned a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree within the past year and be employed by their high school's district at a campus in a county with 150,000 or fewer residents. The bill applies to the 2025-2026 school year and aims to adjust salary schedules for these staff members in smaller districts. It directly affects eligible educators meeting all three criteria, without altering broader salary structures.

Maddy summaryHB 1335 amends Texas Utilities Code to improve safety for underground utility infrastructure. It expands the definition of "underground facility" to include telecom lines, gas pipelines, water systems, and hazardous liquids. The bill requires large utility operators to annually provide residential customers with safety information about excavation rules and a statewide toll-free number. It also directs the state to manage a call-routing system for the toll-free number and establish public education campaigns about excavation safety.

Maddy summaryHB 2519 requires property sellers and buyers (grantors and grantees) to submit a completed "notice of real property title transfer" form when recording property deeds in Texas. This form must include both parties' full names, addresses, telephone numbers, citizenship status, and social security numbers or taxpayer identification numbers. The county clerk must keep this notice separate from public property records, making it confidential under state law, though it may be shared with state agencies for government purposes. The bill directly affects all individuals or entities buying or selling real property in Texas by adding new disclosure requirements for property transfers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Texas Water Code to clarify who qualifies as an "affected person" eligible to appeal decisions made by groundwater conservation districts. It directs courts to use Section 36.3011 (which defines eligibility) when determining who can challenge "desired future conditions" set by these districts. The change specifically affects individuals or entities directly impacted by groundwater management decisions, such as landowners or water users. It does not create new appeal rights but ensures consistent application of existing eligibility rules. The bill references an existing section rather than establishing new policy.