Rep. Terry Wilson

Maddy summaryHB 33, titled the "Uvalde Strong Act," requires Texas public and charter schools to comply with additional safety and operational requirements related to active shooter incidents and emergencies. It amends the Education Code to mandate adherence to existing rules covering student data systems, criminal background checks, discipline practices, health/safety protocols, bullying prevention, and staff reporting obligations. The bill directly affects all public and charter schools by expanding their compliance obligations under current safety frameworks. It does not create new rules but requires schools to follow more existing provisions related to emergency preparedness and student safety. The law took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 2564 creates a dedicated panel within the Texas Office of the Governor to evaluate applications for Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grants. This panel will score applications based on the significance of the grant's impact on local governments and other criteria set by the commission. The commission will use these scores to decide which applicants receive grants, but only if the legislature has specifically allocated funds for them. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects local governments seeking financial assistance related to defense economic adjustments.

Maddy summaryHB 119 requires lobbyists who communicate directly with Texas lawmakers to influence legislation on behalf of a "foreign adversary" (as defined by state law) to register with the state. It specifically prohibits receiving compensation for such lobbying activities from foreign adversaries or their designated representatives. The bill establishes civil penalties for violations, including fines for unauthorized lobbying or compensation. This law directly affects lobbyists working for foreign governments or entities designated as national security threats by U.S. authorities.

Maddy summaryHB 4076 prohibits health care providers from denying organ transplants or related services (like evaluations, surgery, or waiting list placement) solely based on a patient's vaccination status. It allows providers to consider vaccination status only if medically significant to the transplant, following individualized assessment - such as if unvaccinated patients face higher infection risks. The law covers all transplant stages and protects providers who comply with it from penalties, while permitting alternatives like antibody testing instead of vaccination requirements. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all organ transplant candidates in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 3923 requires Texas state agencies to review and adjust job requirements to reduce reliance on bachelor's degrees for employment. Specifically, it directs classification officers to identify positions where educational requirements could be lowered, reduce the number of roles mandating a bachelor's degree, and explore career advancement paths for employees without one. The bill mandates agencies to report their findings to the governor's budget office and Legislative Budget Board by specified deadlines. This directly affects state hiring practices and employees who lack bachelor's degrees but possess relevant skills or experience. The policy change takes effect September 1, 2025, aiming to broaden state employment opportunities.

Maddy summarySB 10 requires all Texas public elementary and secondary schools to display a specific, standardized version of the Ten Commandments in every classroom starting September 1, 2025. The law mandates a durable poster or framed copy meeting strict size (at least 16x20 inches) and content requirements, including only the exact text listed in the bill. Schools must display this unless they accept a privately donated version meeting the same specifications, and may optionally use district funds to purchase compliant displays. This directly affects every public school classroom in Texas, requiring a physical display of the specified religious text.

Maddy summaryHB 3260 creates a Texas grant program to support industry-recognized apprenticeship programs. It provides partial reimbursement to participants for on-the-job training milestones as they complete training and secure employment. The law requires the Texas Workforce Commission to establish rules defining eligible occupations, certification standards for programs, and performance metrics like completion rates. Grant recipients must report this data annually, with aggregated results made publicly available. The program directly affects apprenticeship providers and trainees in Texas occupations requiring structured on-the-job training.

Maddy summaryHB 2306 changes parole eligibility for inmates convicted of specific trafficking offenses involving vulnerable victims. It prohibits parole for individuals serving sentences under Texas Penal Code Sections 20A.02 (regarding child victims), 20A.03, 21.02, 22.021(f), 51.03, or 51.04. The bill amends parole rules to explicitly exclude these trafficking offenses from eligibility, repealing prior provisions that may have allowed parole for such cases. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 5674 creates the River Ranch Municipal Utility District No. 1 to provide essential utility services like water, sewer, and road maintenance within its designated area. The bill grants the district limited authority to acquire private property through eminent domain (for utility infrastructure), issue bonds to fund projects, and impose fees, assessments, and taxes on property owners within the district. Property owners in the district’s boundaries will directly pay for services through these new fees and taxes. The district must obtain prior approval from local municipalities before operating, as required by Texas law.

Maddy summarySB 800 requires Texas public universities to provide new undergraduate students (freshmen and transfer students) with a mandatory orientation session about campus policies on sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The session must be completed before or during the first semester and include a video listing Title IX coordinators, office contact details, and available support services. This law applies to all public institutions of higher education beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.