Rep. Terri Leo-Wilson

Maddy summaryHB 647 allows Texas driver's license holders who have had vision-correcting surgery to remove restrictions requiring corrective lenses. To qualify, license holders must submit a written statement from a licensed physician or optometrist confirming surgical correction and pay a required fee. The Texas Department of Public Safety must then mail a new license without the restriction, except for individuals required to register under Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (sex offender registry). The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and changes the process for removing this specific license restriction.

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 3053 prohibits municipalities and counties in Texas from organizing, sponsoring, or participating in firearm buyback programs. The bill specifically bans local governments from creating programs that aim to remove firearms from circulation, reduce civilian firearm ownership, or allow sales without criminal prosecution concerns. This law directly affects local governments by preventing them from implementing such buyback initiatives. The bill takes effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

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 2253 allows local governments in Texas to cancel bond election votes if a disaster declaration is issued by the governor under Chapter 418 of the Government Code. Specifically, it permits cancellation if the governor declares a natural or health-threatening disaster and the local governing body votes to cancel the election due to damage to election systems, risks to election workers, or harm to voters. The bill requires local governments to post cancellation notices at polling places during early voting and election day. This applies to elections for bond measures related to infrastructure or public projects, directly affecting communities seeking to issue bonds during declared emergencies.

Maddy summaryHB 2593 increases criminal penalties for indecent assault when the victim is disabled or elderly. It amends Texas Penal Code Section 22.012 to classify such assaults as a second-degree felony (previously a misdemeanor or lower felony), making it a more serious offense. The bill specifically targets cases where the victim is disabled or elderly, without changing penalties for other victims. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 3909 prohibits the use of wireless communication devices (like cell phones) within 100 feet of voting stations or in rooms where electronic pollbooks are used for voting. It directly affects voters, poll workers, and election officials at polling locations. The bill requires presiding judges to post visible notices about this restriction outside voting areas. The law took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 654, known as the Asp-Morgan Act, allows courts to dismiss criminal charges for minor deer hunting violations where antler spread measurements differ by one inch or less from legal limits. It applies to hunters who report the violation to a game warden before leaving the site, avoid keeping the deer carcass, have no prior similar violations, plead guilty, and complete a hunter education course. If they finish the course and avoid further violations during an 180-day deferral period, the charge is dismissed without creating a conviction record. This policy directly affects hunters who make minor measurement errors in deer hunting, offering an alternative to conviction through education rather than punishment.

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 1584 requires Texas electric utilities to create and maintain a list of "priority facilities," including hospitals, police/fire stations, critical water/wastewater facilities, and certain correctional facilities. Utilities must provide an online tool for facilities to request inclusion (only if they qualify) and confirm within 14 days whether a facility is on the list. During declared emergencies, utilities must share this confidential list with Texas emergency management, and the list cannot be disclosed under public records laws. The law took effect September 1, 2025, directly impacting utilities and the named facilities.