Rep. Terri Leo-Wilson

Maddy summaryHB 3265 prohibits health benefit plan issuers, pharmacy benefit managers, and drug manufacturers from discriminating against entities participating in the federal 340B drug discount program. It bans denying access to discounted drugs, restricting acquisitions, or requiring unnecessary data submission as a condition for 340B drug access. Covered entities (like community health centers and hospitals), pharmacies under contract with them, and their authorized partners are directly protected. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $50,000 per offense, enforceable through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Maddy summarySB 2 establishes a state-funded education savings account program in Texas, allowing eligible families to use public funds for approved educational expenses. The program directly affects Texas families with children who have disabilities or who live in low-income households (at or below 500% of the federal poverty level). The comptroller administers the program, funding accounts with state money that can cover approved education costs like tuition, books, or tutoring. The bill becomes effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 3, 2025. This creates a new state-funded option alongside public schools for participating families.

Maddy summaryHB 1338 allows commissioners courts in Texas counties with 355,000 or more residents to establish uniform work hour rules for specific employees, including department heads, deputies, and other staff whose pay is set by the court. The bill amends Local Government Code Section 157.021(a) to authorize these uniform rules, directly affecting county employees in larger jurisdictions. Key provisions require counties meeting the population threshold to adopt and enforce standardized work schedules for eligible staff. The bill takes effect immediately if approved by a two-thirds vote in both chambers, or September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Maddy summaryHB 4605 requires Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to consult with county commissioners courts in small counties (under 100,000 population near a port) when designating routes for oversize/overweight vehicles in unincorporated areas. The county must consider factors like port proximity, road safety, environmental impacts, and economic benefits before recommending routes. TxDOT then installs signs for these routes and allocates highway funds for their maintenance, while the Department of Public Safety enforces related rules. The bill applies only to routing decisions made on or after its September 1, 2025 effective date.

Maddy summaryThe bill HB 5597, titled "Relating to the definition of a Galveston County Port," appears to be a definitional measure focused on clarifying the scope or boundaries of Galveston County's port jurisdiction. However, the full bill text is not currently available in the provided context (only a placeholder note indicates it will be available soon). Without access to the specific language or provisions, no substantive summary of its mechanisms, affected parties, or policy changes can be generated. The bill failed to receive a committee vote on May 1, 2025, but this procedural status does not clarify the bill's content. For an accurate summary, the complete bill text would be required.

Maddy summaryHB 1760 increases the minimum prison sentence for intoxication manslaughter convictions from 120 days to 5 years under Section 49.08 of the Penal Code. It requires a minimum 5-year prison term before parole eligibility (Section 49.08(b)) and prohibits release to mandatory supervision until 5 years of actual calendar time is served, without counting good conduct time (Sections 49.08, 508.145, 508.147). The bill directly affects individuals convicted of causing death while driving under the influence. Key provisions include mandatory jail time before community supervision and strict parole restrictions for these offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 2989 renames the "Chambers County Improvement District No. 1" to the "Cedar Port Navigation and Improvement District" in Texas law. The bill updates all references to the district's name in the Special District Local Laws Code, including its chapter heading, definition, and legal description. It does not alter the district's existing powers, responsibilities, or operational authority - only changing its official name. The district, serving Chambers County, continues to function under the same legal framework and governance structure. This is a purely administrative name change with no new policy provisions or financial impacts.

Maddy summaryHB 3255 expands the financing authority of a development corporation created by the Gulf Coast Authority to fund specific projects. It allows the corporation to finance educational/housing facilities, health facilities, tax-exempt organizations, hotels (including convention centers), and energy storage infrastructure - both inside and outside Texas. The bill streamlines out-of-state project approvals by requiring the attorney general to review documentation within 12 business days or the project proceeds without approval. It also removes certain compliance requirements (like Sections 501.203-501.257 of the Local Government Code) for this corporation. This technical amendment directly affects the Gulf Coast Authority’s development corporation, enabling broader project financing under existing legal frameworks.

Maddy summaryHB 267 amends Texas Penal Code sections 43.24 and 43.25 to add specific affirmative defenses for defendants accused of distributing obscene or harmful material involving children. It allows defenses if the conduct was for judicial, law enforcement, or legislative purposes (Section 43.24(c)), or if the defendant was a spouse, acting for educational/medical purposes, or within two years of the child’s age (Section 43.25(f)). The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not change existing criminal penalties. As of May 2025, the bill remains pending in the legislature after being postponed and laid on the table.

Maddy summaryHB 2954 requires Texas navigation districts to cover all costs when relocating or removing dredged material (such as sediment from waterway maintenance) under their authority. Districts must either pay for the relocation/removal themselves or perform the work directly, covering all expenses after subtracting any value from salvaged material. This directly affects navigation districts managing waterways and property owners impacted by dredging activities. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote.