Rep. Terri Leo-Wilson

Maddy summaryHB 3418 prohibits certain employment for sex offenders with specific convictions. It applies to individuals convicted of a sexually violent offense involving a victim younger than 14 years old, occurring on or after September 1, 2013. The bill amends registration requirements to include a specific prohibition on certain job types (referencing Article 62.063) for these offenders. This policy change directly affects sex offenders meeting the specified criteria, restricting their eligibility for certain employment positions. The bill focuses on concrete employment restrictions without detailing specific job categories.

Maddy summaryHB 1080 allows Texas cities, counties, and other local governments to publish required public notices (like meeting schedules or public hearings) using alternative media - such as social media, free newspapers, utility bills, or homeowners' association newsletters - instead of traditional newspapers. To qualify, local governments must first hold a public meeting to prove the alternative media has greater circulation than the top local newspaper, then submit specific details (including circulation numbers) to the state comptroller. The comptroller will publish the notice on their website unless they determine the alternative method doesn’t meet the circulation standard or grant a waiver. This bill modernizes notice requirements while maintaining transparency through mandatory public input and state oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 2969 prohibits the Texas State Bar from adopting rules, policies, or penalties that restrict law license applicants or holders based on religious beliefs or burden constitutional rights. It specifically bans limitations on licensing due to sincerely held religious beliefs, or restrictions on free speech (including religious or political views), religious association, or assembly. Exceptions allow rules that serve a compelling government interest narrowly tailored to that purpose, or that address willful bias in court proceedings. The bill enables licensees to challenge violations through administrative hearings or lawsuits under Texas law, but not in cases involving sexual misconduct allegations or criminal prosecution.

Maddy summaryHB 778 requires most health insurance plans in Texas to cover medical expenses related to complications ("adverse effects") from gender transition treatments and procedures to reverse those treatments. It applies to individual, group, and employer-sponsored health plans, including HMOs, nonprofit health plans, and certain government-sponsored coverage. The law specifically mandates coverage for medical/surgical expenses tied to complications or reversals of gender transition procedures, not for standard transition care itself. This affects insurers offering plans under Texas Insurance Code chapters 842-846, 884-885, 941-942, and 1501-1682.

Maddy summaryHB 1674 would ban the production, sale, and use of certain agricultural products containing PFAS chemicals (like pesticides or crop protectants). It directly affects agricultural businesses, manufacturers, and sellers of these products. The bill creates criminal penalties for violations, treating unauthorized PFAS use as a punishable offense. The bill is currently pending in the Environmental Regulation committee after committee hearings. (Note: Full bill text is not yet available; this summary is based on the title and pending status.)

Maddy summaryHB 2811 changes the date when Texas presidential electors must meet from the first Tuesday to the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December. This procedural bill directly affects Texas's presidential electors by adjusting their meeting schedule under state election law. The amendment modifies Section 192.006(a) of the Election Code to specify the new Monday meeting date, while keeping the underlying December timeframe unchanged. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not alter voting procedures or voter eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 933 amends Texas law to clarify that the Texas Supreme Court has jurisdiction in specific criminal cases involving conflicts between courts, as defined by Section 22.001(a-1) of the Government Code. This change directly affects the Texas Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals by establishing when the Supreme Court may review criminal matters. The bill adjusts Article 4.01 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to explicitly include the Supreme Court in the list of courts with criminal jurisdiction under these conflict circumstances. It does not alter the Court of Criminal Appeals' primary role in handling death penalty appeals or most criminal appeals.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 3099 amends Texas education law to change how attendance is calculated for adult high school charter programs, directly affecting these programs' state funding. The bill establishes new rules: students enrolled 75%+ of the school year count as 100% attendance, 50-74% counts as 75%, 25-49% as 50%, and 10-24% as 25% for funding purposes. This replaces previous attendance calculation thresholds in the Education Code. The changes take effect September 1, 2025, and will impact how funding is allocated to adult education charter schools based on student enrollment patterns.