Rep. Stan Gerdes

Maddy summaryHB 84 authorizes Texas pharmacists to dispense ivermectin for human use without a doctor's prescription, directly affecting pharmacists and patients seeking this medication. The bill requires the state health commissioner to issue a statewide order with standardized protocols for pharmacists, including patient instructions and annual reporting on dispensing volumes. It also provides legal protection for pharmacists who follow the order, shielding them from liability or disciplinary action. The commissioner must issue this order within 91 days after the legislative session ends, implementing the policy changes outlined in the new Health and Safety Code section.

Maddy summarySB 1362 prohibits Texas state and local entities - including courts, law enforcement, and prosecutors - from recognizing, serving, or enforcing "extreme risk protective orders" (commonly called "red flag" orders). These orders typically restrict firearm access when a court deems someone a risk to themselves or others. The bill creates a criminal offense for violating this prohibition and blocks Texas entities from accepting federal grants meant to implement such orders. It directly affects all Texas government bodies and law enforcement agencies, preventing them from participating in programs that require enforcing these firearm restrictions. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 413 would have limited pretrial detention for defendants charged with Class B misdemeanors or more serious offenses, preventing jail stays longer than the maximum sentence they could receive if convicted. It required courts to calculate whether a defendant’s cumulative time in jail before trial exceeded the potential sentence for their offense, mandating release if it did. Exceptions included defendants undergoing competency evaluations or subject to Chapter 46B commitment orders. The bill was vetoed by the governor on June 22, 2025, and never took effect.

Maddy summarySB 2078 prohibits depositing food waste subject to a commercial food waste composting ordinance (which requires businesses and multifamily properties to divert food waste from landfills) at composting facilities in counties without a municipality that has such an ordinance. It directly affects businesses with food permits and multifamily residential properties in counties with the ordinance, preventing them from sending that waste to composting facilities in counties without the ordinance. Violations carry a $1,000 civil penalty per incident, enforceable by the attorney general. The law excludes agricultural operations from its requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1056 recognizes physical gold and silver coins meeting specific weight and purity standards as legal tender in Texas for debt payments, while prohibiting government markings except for identifying refiners. It authorizes the state comptroller to establish electronic payment systems backed by bullion held in depositories, allowing transactions using gold/silver-based currency. The bill explicitly states it does not replace U.S. dollars, restrict federal currency, or require businesses to accept gold/silver tender. It also permits the comptroller to set reasonable administrative fees for the system. This law applies to Texas residents and businesses using the state-administered electronic currency system, operating alongside existing federal currency.

Maddy summarySB 22 establishes the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund to provide financial support for film and television productions filmed in Texas. It requires the Music, Film, Television, and Multimedia Office to deny grants for projects containing "inappropriate content" or portraying Texas/Texans "in a negative fashion," while also prohibiting grants for pornography, news programming, religious content, non-commercial projects, and state advertising. The bill explicitly lists ineligible project types, including political ads, sporting events, and video games used in gambling. It creates a dedicated funding mechanism for eligible productions and authorizes the Office to administer grants using money from the incentive fund or other approved sources. The law directly affects production companies seeking financial support for qualifying Texas-based film and TV projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1690 would have required groundwater conservation districts in Texas to adopt rules mandating specific notice procedures for applicants seeking permits to transfer groundwater out of their district. The bill required applicants to pay for certified mail notices to adjacent districts, county commissioners courts in affected areas, and publish notices in local newspapers. This directly affected entities applying for groundwater transfer permits and the districts reviewing those applications. The bill was introduced in the Texas Legislature, passed both chambers, but was vetoed by the Governor on June 22, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 971 repeals the existing definition of "rural political subdivision" in the Texas Water Code that was established by a 2023 law. This change directly affects communities seeking eligibility for the Texas Water Assistance Program, which provides funding for water infrastructure projects. The bill removes the previous definition but does not specify a new one, leaving the program's eligibility criteria unchanged until a replacement definition is enacted. This procedural update was signed into law on June 20, 2025, and took effect immediately.

Maddy summarySB 1261 authorizes Texas water agencies and districts to issue bonds or other debt instruments to finance large-scale water supply projects. It specifically applies to projects included in the state water plan that have cumulative capital costs of at least $750 million. The law creates new Chapter 1373 in the Government Code, allowing issuers to finance or refinance these qualifying projects without conflicting with other state laws. It explicitly excludes projects funded through the Texas Water Development Board’s existing programs. This legislation provides a new financing mechanism for major water infrastructure, directly affecting local water authorities and districts planning large-scale projects aligned with the state water plan.

Maddy summaryHB 5695 creates the Sayers Ranch Municipal Utility District to provide essential services like water, sewer, and road maintenance to a specific area in Texas. The district will have the authority to use limited eminent domain (to acquire land for infrastructure), issue bonds to fund projects, and impose assessments, fees, and taxes on properties within its boundaries. Property owners in the district will be subject to these financial obligations to support utility operations and infrastructure improvements. The district will be governed by an elected board of directors, requiring consent from local municipalities before holding its initial election.