Rep. Terri Leo-Wilson

Maddy summaryHB 3009 expands Texas' Department of Public Safety database to include individuals convicted of two or more specific violent offenses, including assault with a deadly weapon (Penal Code §§ 22.01, 22.02) or offenses involving force/deadly force, and non-citizens unlawfully present in the U.S. who have two or more such convictions. The bill requires the database to include full names, aliases, dates of birth, physical descriptions, conviction details, and for non-citizens, their last known location. It mandates that the DPS add historical data for qualifying offenders convicted before the law's effective date (by January 1, 2026), unless the individual would be removed from the database under existing rules. This affects law enforcement agencies and individuals with multiple violent offense convictions who meet the expanded criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Texas high school students in 11th or 12th grade to choose between the SAT, ACT, Classic Learning Test (CLT), or a state-designated assessment for college admissions, instead of being limited to a single required test. It directly affects students applying to public universities in Texas by providing flexibility in standardized testing requirements. The policy change requires school districts to offer these options at state cost during specified grade levels, aiming to align testing with college admissions practices.

Maddy summaryHB 4773 permits licensed breweries and brewpubs operating under the same ownership or management to transfer their own malt beverages between multiple licensed locations during specified hours. It requires vehicles used for transport to be described to the commission and clearly marked, while prohibiting violations of motor carrier laws. The bill specifically allows transfers between brewpubs (under Section 74.12) or package store permits (Section 69.11), but clarifies that transferred beverages remain legally considered produced at their original location for tax purposes. This primarily affects multi-location brewery and brewpub operators seeking operational flexibility.

Maddy summaryHB 3592 restricts out-of-state political contributions to Texas candidates by setting limits: $5,000 for statewide offices, $2,500 for district offices, and $1,000 for county offices. Candidates must return excess contributions within 5 days or by the end of the reporting period, whichever is later. Political committees cannot contribute to candidates if over 50% of their prior contributions came from out-of-state donors. Violations carry civil penalties up to three times the contribution amount, with hearings required before penalties are imposed. The law applies only to contributions made on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 638 requires certain water districts (under Water Code Chapters 36, 49, or 60) to record audio and video of their regular open meetings and specific work sessions or special meetings where voting occurs or public comment is taken. These recordings must be made available online in an archived format. The law applies only to meetings held on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect meetings held before that date. This bill directly impacts larger water districts by mandating public access to their meeting recordings online.

Maddy summaryHB 4685 requires fire safety inspections at Texas public and private schools (including charter schools) to include specific checks of medical equipment. Inspectors must verify that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are functional (checking pads, battery, and status lights) and confirm vaccines/over-the-counter medications on campus have not expired. The law mandates that inspection reports document these findings and detail how school administrators were notified of results. This bill applies to all schools subject to fire safety inspections under state or local requirements and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 370 amends Texas law to restrict eligibility for funding from the Events Trust Fund. It prohibits funding for events that allow biological males to compete in sports designated for female athletes. The bill defines "biological male" using official birth certificates or government records stating biological sex, requiring statements entered near birth or corrected for clerical errors. This applies only to events seeking trust fund support and does not affect biological males serving as coaches or support staff. The policy change directly affects sports events applying for state funding under the Events Trust Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 2343 requires restaurants serving shrimp caught outside Texas waters (defined as Gulf of Mexico shrimp outside state-owned lands) to clearly label the product and provide visible notices to customers about its importation. It also bans state agencies and school districts from serving imported shrimp or contracting with vendors who serve it, with penalties for violations. The bill mandates that food service establishments post notices in accessible locations or include them on menus, and directs health officials to create implementing rules. These provisions directly affect restaurants, school meal programs, and state food service contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 2695 increases criminal penalties for drug-related offenses when a social media platform is used to facilitate the delivery of a controlled substance. It applies specifically to offenses under Health and Safety Code sections 481.112, 481.1121, 481.1123, 481.113, 481.114, 481.119, 481.120, or 481.122. If proven at trial, using social media to arrange such drug deliveries elevates the offense to the next higher penalty category, adding five years to first-degree felony sentences and doubling the maximum fine. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and only applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 1998 lowers the spending threshold requiring competitive procurement for Texas school districts, cities, and counties. It reduces the current $100,000 minimum from which competitive bidding applies to $50,000 for most purchases of goods or services. The bill amends multiple statutes (Education Code §44.031, Local Government Code §§252.021, 252.0215, 262.003, 262.023) to implement this change. It maintains existing exceptions, such as for single-supplier items or construction services. The law directly affects all Texas political subdivisions when making procurement decisions above $50,000.