Rep. Dade Phelan

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 5506 grants civil immunity to ringside physicians at Texas combative sports events (like boxing or MMA), protecting them from lawsuits for actions within their professional duties. The bill specifies this immunity applies only to ordinary negligence, not gross negligence by the physician. It does not cover lawsuits arising from reckless or willful misconduct. This law would take effect for cases filed after its implementation date, but does not change existing liability standards for gross negligence.

Maddy summaryHR 1031 is a commemorative resolution honoring Mary Helen VanDeaver of Clarksville, Texas, who passed away on March 27, 2025, at age 93. The resolution, adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on May 9, 2025, pays tribute to her life and legacy, including her work as a seamstress, business owner, and active member of her community and church. It extends sympathy to her family, including her three children, six grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren, and directs the House to adjourn in her memory. As a non-substantive memorial resolution, it does not create policy changes or affect any specific laws or individuals beyond the tribute itself.

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 summaryThis bill requires Texas licensing authorities to issue provisional occupational licenses for six months to applicants with criminal convictions who are otherwise qualified for the license, unless they have specific serious convictions listed in the Occupations Code. The provisional license begins upon the applicant's release from incarceration if they were imprisoned. It applies to most occupational licensing fields (like healthcare or trades) but excludes applicants convicted of offenses under Section 53.021(a). The bill provides a pathway for certain applicants to obtain licenses without full revocation of eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 4517 requires distillers and rectifiers with permits to provide wholesalers with a dated invoice for liquor sales. Wholesalers must pay within 30 days of receiving the invoice, or the distiller may report delinquency to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The Commission would maintain a public list of delinquent wholesalers and block permit renewals, transfers, or new licenses for those who fail to pay on time. This bill directly affects distillers selling to wholesalers and wholesale liquor businesses that delay payments. It creates a clear payment timeline and enforcement mechanism to ensure timely payment for liquor purchases.

Maddy summaryHB 2777 would prohibit the death penalty for defendants found to have had "severe mental illness" (defined as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder with active psychotic symptoms impairing judgment or understanding of wrongfulness) at the time of a capital offense. The bill requires defendants to file a 30-day notice before trial to present evidence of this condition, which they must prove by "clear and convincing evidence." If notice is not filed, such evidence becomes inadmissible unless the court finds "good cause" for the delay. The law would directly affect defendants in Texas capital cases who qualify under this mental health definition, altering sentencing eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 4767 clarifies rules for operating off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on public lands owned or leased by Texas state or local governments. It prohibits OHV operation on non-public lands unless the area is designated as public OHV land or a beach, and requires compliance with both the Transportation Code (Chapter 551A) and Parks and Wildlife Code (Chapter 29). The bill repeals several existing sections, including requirements for safety certificates and specific subsections about land use. It directly affects OHV operators using public lands and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4406, the P.A.C. Transparency and Accountability Act, requires political committees and candidates to report detailed financial information about campaign activities. It mandates that committees report all political contributions over $50 (including electronic payments), loans over $50 (with loan terms and guarantor details), and campaign expenditures over $100 (including recipient names, dates, and purposes). The bill also requires committees to list candidates supported by direct expenditures exceeding $100 during each reporting period. This law directly affects political committees, candidates, and contributors who exceed these financial thresholds, aiming to increase transparency in campaign finance reporting.

Maddy summaryHB 4960 regulates political text message campaigns by defining a "mass text message campaign" as sending texts to multiple recipients for political purposes with costs exceeding basic messaging expenses. It requires clear disclosures in such campaigns and imposes a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per text message sent in violation, with each message counted as a separate violation. The law applies only to political texts distributed on or after September 1, 2025, affecting campaigns using mass texting for political advocacy. It directly impacts political campaigns, candidates, and organizations sending large-scale political texts, ensuring compliance with disclosure rules.