Rep. Terry Wilson

Maddy summaryHB 2266 prioritizes processing applications for standard permits at rock or concrete crushing facilities for operators who previously held such permits and reclaimed land disturbed by their facility within 180 days after closing. The bill amends the Health and Safety Code to require the commission to give priority to these operators when reviewing new permit applications. It directly affects existing or former operators of these facilities who meet the reclamation and prior authorization criteria. The policy change aims to encourage responsible land reclamation by streamlining permit access for compliant operators, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2588, the "Food Freedom Act," expands home-based food production rules in Texas by defining "cottage food production operations" for individuals or small nonprofits operating from home. It allows these businesses to produce specific non-perishable foods like baked goods, jams, dried fruits, and nut butters, while excluding high-risk items such as meat, seafood, raw milk, CBD products, and canned goods. The bill sets an annual income cap of $100,000 (adjusted for inflation) for these operations and restricts sales to direct consumer purchases or other cottage food vendors. This primarily affects small-scale home food entrepreneurs seeking to legally sell their products without full commercial kitchen requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 644 protects businesses from civil lawsuits if they allow licensed concealed handgun carriers on their premises. It directly affects Texas businesses (like restaurants or retail stores) and license holders who carry concealed handguns legally under Texas law. The bill states that simply not posting "no concealed weapons" notices - rather than requiring explicit written or verbal permission - counts as allowing concealed carry, removing liability for damages from lawful concealed carry. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not apply to incidents that occurred before that date.

Maddy summaryHB 3219 would allow Texas pharmacists to dispense ivermectin without a doctor's prescription by requiring the state health commissioner to issue a statewide order. The bill mandates standardized protocols for pharmacists, including providing patient instructions on proper use, and protects pharmacists from liability when acting in good faith. It also requires pharmacists to submit annual reports on dispensing volumes. This directly affects licensed pharmacists and patients seeking ivermectin, changing current requirements that typically require a prescription.

Maddy summaryHB 4688 modifies Texas law for civil liability cases involving commercial motor vehicle accidents. It restricts when evidence of regulatory violations (like safety rules) can be used in court, requiring such evidence to directly link the violation to the injury and show the rule specifically applied to the situation. The bill also limits claims against employers for driver negligence unless the employer first admits the driver was acting within their job duties at the time of the accident. These changes apply only to cases filed or tried after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryHJR 138 proposes amending the Texas Constitution to prohibit the state legislature from imposing taxes based on the carbon content of fuels or emissions of carbon dioxide from goods and services. If approved by voters, it would prevent Texas from enacting any carbon tax policy. The bill failed to pass the Texas Legislature on May 12, 2025, so it did not advance to a voter referendum. This would have directly affected all Texans by blocking a potential state-level carbon tax mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 1777 requires Texas driver's licenses and personal ID certificates to include a visible designation indicating the holder is a registered sex offender, as mandated by a court order under Texas law. This designation applies only to licenses issued or renewed on or after September 1, 2025, leaving existing licenses unaffected. The bill directly affects individuals subject to sex offender registration under Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. It does not change registration requirements but adds a standardized visual identifier to identification documents for public awareness. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, as specified in Section 3.

Maddy summaryHB 4763 requires public universities in Texas that already maintain fraud, waste, and abuse reporting systems to submit any received reports involving state resources to the state auditor's office within two business days. This applies specifically to institutions of higher education defined under Texas Education Code. The bill adds a new reporting requirement (Section 51.9762) to streamline oversight of state funds at these institutions. It would take effect on September 1, 2025, unless approved with a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summaryHB 298 requires Texas driver's licenses and personal ID certificates to include a clear indication that the holder is a U.S. citizen. This applies to all licenses issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The bill specifies that licenses must also display the holder's full name, date of birth, a full-face photograph, a distinguishing number, and either a residence address or, for certain federal judges or officials, the courthouse address. It does not change existing requirements for non-citizens. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 161 proposes amending the Texas Constitution to explicitly prohibit non-citizen residents from voting in Texas elections. The bill would add "persons who are not citizens of the United States" as a new category barred from voting, alongside existing restrictions for minors, those declared mentally incompetent, and convicted felons. If approved by voters in November 2025, this constitutional change would formally enshrine the current legal standard - non-citizens already cannot vote in Texas - into the state constitution. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2025 general election, with ballot language specifying the change. This is a procedural constitutional amendment, not a new voting law.