Rep. Terry Wilson

Maddy summaryHB 2215 removes a prohibition on handgun possession for retired attorneys who previously represented the state in legal roles (such as district attorneys or county attorneys). Specifically, it amends the Penal Code to exempt these retired attorneys from handgun possession restrictions if they hold a valid state license to carry a handgun under Texas Government Code Subchapter H. The bill directly affects honorably retired state attorneys who were licensed to carry weapons during their active service. This change aligns their carrying rights with current state attorneys and ensures continuity for retired legal professionals who maintained their licensing. The provision does not create new licensing requirements but clarifies that existing state-licensed retired attorneys may carry handguns without violating Penal Code restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 2458 adds a new defense for people accused of aggravated assault in Texas. It allows a defendant to claim they threatened to use a deadly weapon if two conditions were met: the threat would have been justified under self-defense law (Chapter 9 of the Penal Code), and they reasonably believed the threat was immediately necessary to defend against another person’s unlawful force or deadly force. This defense only applies to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025. The bill modifies Texas law to clarify when threatening to use a weapon can be part of a valid self-defense claim in aggravated assault cases.

Maddy summaryHB 170 creates civil immunity for individuals who use or threaten to use force or deadly force that is justified under Texas Penal Code Chapter 9 (e.g., self-defense or defense of others). It protects such individuals from civil lawsuits seeking damages for personal injury or death resulting from their justified actions. The bill also requires courts to award defendants who win immunity claims reasonable attorney fees, court costs, and related expenses. It repeals Section 9.06 of the Penal Code and applies only to cases occurring on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4980 establishes the Child-Care Professional Pathway program in Texas, enabling high school students in grades 11-12 to concurrently earn a high school diploma and a child care credential. The program requires school districts or charter schools to partner with colleges to offer free, non-duplicative courses leading to either a Child Development Associate certificate or an associate degree in early childhood education. Participating students must complete coursework that satisfies both high school graduation requirements and college credential requirements through written agreements between schools and institutions of higher education. The bill directly affects Texas high school students, school districts, and colleges collaborating to prepare future child care professionals.

Maddy summaryHB 2617 streamlines the process for expunging arrest records in Texas for individuals who successfully complete specific court programs. It requires district courts to issue expungement orders within 30 days after dismissing cases involving veterans treatment programs (per Chapter 124, Government Code), mental health court programs (Chapter 125), or other approved pretrial intervention programs. The bill mandates that the state attorney prepares the expungement order for the court's signature and notifies the Texas Department of Criminal Justice if the person is incarcerated. This change directly affects people completing these specialized court programs by making record clearance faster and more automatic.

Maddy summaryHJR 98 is a Texas legislative resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It seeks to propose amendments that would impose spending limits on the federal government, reduce federal power over states, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. Texas formally applies to Congress to initiate this process, with the resolution intended as a continuing application until at least 34 states (two-thirds) support the same purpose. This is a procedural request - Texas has no authority to create new laws, but aims to join other states in advancing this constitutional mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 1655 prohibits public school employees in Texas from assisting students with social transitioning, defined as helping students change their name, pronouns, clothing, or hairstyles to express a gender identity different from their sex assigned at birth. School districts must adopt a policy banning such assistance, and parents or staff can report suspected violations to the district board, which must investigate and report confirmed violations to the state commissioner. If violations occur, the commissioner may withhold state funding for the affected school year and adjust future funding to recover any payments made during that year. The bill applies starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 1128 amends Texas Penal Code Section 46.03 to create an exception allowing licensed election judges and certain early voting staff to carry concealed handguns while performing their duties at polling places. This directly affects election judges (as defined in Election Code Chapter 32) and early voting clerks/deputies serving as election judges at early voting locations. The bill modifies the existing prohibition on concealed carry at polling places to exclude these specific election personnel who hold valid handgun licenses. The change applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 5137 allows Texas motor vehicle owners to name one or more beneficiaries who automatically inherit the vehicle upon the owner's death, bypassing probate court. Owners can designate beneficiaries through the Transportation Code (Section 501.0315) and change or cancel the designation anytime without beneficiary consent. A beneficiary must survive the owner by 120 hours to receive the vehicle; if not, the share passes as if the owner had made a will. This process does not affect the owner's creditors, public assistance eligibility, or the owner's ability to transfer the vehicle during their lifetime.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits late payment fees charged by municipal water utilities in Texas. It caps fees at $5 or 2% of the overdue amount before day 32, $5 or 5% between days 32-41, and $5 or 10% after day 41. Utilities cannot begin charging penalties before 21 days after billing a customer, and penalties end when the full amount is paid. The rules apply only to fees charged on or after the bill's effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed by two-thirds vote).