Rep. Terri Leo-Wilson

Maddy summaryHB 554 creates a new window for fireworks sales in Texas counties that approve it, specifically allowing sales from June 14 through June 19 (Juneteenth). This directly affects retail fireworks sellers in counties where commissioners courts have approved the sale period. The bill amends existing law to add this Juneteenth window to the list of authorized seasonal sale periods, alongside existing dates like Independence Day and July 4. It became effective immediately after the governor signed it on May 26, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 334 establishes a program allowing county employees to voluntarily contribute unused sick or vacation leave to a shared family leave pool. Employees can access the pool after exhausting their own leave for qualifying events like childbirth, adoption, foster placement, or serious illness in an immediate family member. The county judge or an appointed administrator manages the pool, and contributions reduce the donor’s leave balance. Counties must create the program through a commissioners court order, making it available to all county employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals to submit proof of United States citizenship when registering to vote. Applicants must provide a copy of specific documents, such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate, with their voter registration application. If initial proof is not provided, voter registrars must attempt to verify citizenship using various databases. If citizenship cannot be verified or proof is not ultimately provided, the applicant will only be eligible to vote a limited federal ballot. The bill also creates a state jail felony offense for registrars who knowingly fail to reject applications that do not meet these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis is a memorial resolution (HR 986), not a substantive bill. It honors Guerry Legrande Hahn Sr. of Anahuac, Texas, who passed away on March 10, 2025, at age 96. The resolution recognizes his life, including his service in the Korean War as a U.S. Marine, career as an engineer, family life, and legacy. The Texas House of Representatives adopted the resolution on May 23, 2025, to pay tribute to him and extend sympathy to his family.

Maddy summarySB 1490 amends Texas Education Code Section 12.263(b) to change how attendance is calculated for adult high school charter programs. It establishes new attendance rates based on enrollment duration: 100% for students enrolled 75%+ of the year, 75% for 50-75%, 50% for 25-50%, and 25% for 10-25%. This directly affects adult education programs operating under charters by altering the attendance metrics used to determine state funding. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, replacing previous attendance thresholds for funding calculations.

Maddy summarySB 464 prohibits retail stores selling cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, or tobacco products from operating within 1,000 feet of any public or private primary or secondary school. This law directly affects retailers near schools, creating a Class A misdemeanor offense for violations. The bill defines "vaping apparatus" broadly to include devices, their components, and related liquids, regardless of nicotine content. It explicitly states local governments may still enforce stricter rules, but this state law sets the baseline requirement.

Maddy summarySB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia causes, prevention, and treatment. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and research groups to expand dementia-related studies and create jobs. It establishes three committees to oversee funding and research priorities, with the program set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless renewed under Texas law. The bill directly affects Texas research institutions receiving grants and aims to improve dementia health outcomes for state residents. This legislation became law after being signed by the Governor on May 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2000, titled "Audrii's Law," amends Texas law to require sex offender registration for individuals convicted of certain child grooming offenses. Specifically, it adds Section 43.021 (Solicitation of Prostitution) of the Penal Code to the list of offenses triggering registration, but only when the offense is punishable as a second-degree felony. This change directly affects people convicted of soliciting minors for sexual purposes under this specific statute. The law expands existing registration requirements to cover these grooming-related acts, aligning them with other serious sexual offenses. It became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas property appraisers to automatically grant property tax exemptions for land used in human burials under specific conditions. It directly affects owners of burial property who did not submit exemption applications, shifting responsibility from owners to appraisers. The key mechanism mandates that exemptions apply if the appraiser identifies the property through inspection (meeting Section 11.17 criteria), no application was filed, and the owner cannot be identified. This change takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHCR 12 designates September as Deaf Awareness Month in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This ceremonial resolution formally recognizes September for raising public awareness about deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, building on existing observances like the International Day of the Deaf. It does not create new laws or funding but aligns Texas with national efforts to celebrate contributions and address challenges faced by deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. The designation remains in effect until the 10th anniversary of its passage, as specified in Section 391.004(d) of the Texas Government Code.