Rep. Terri Leo-Wilson

Maddy summaryHB 4570 creates a standardized appraisal process for resolving disputes over claim amounts under Texas personal auto or residential property insurance policies. The bill requires insurers to include specific appraisal provisions in these policies, mandating that disputes about loss value be resolved through a formal process overseen by the Insurance Commissioner. Key provisions include rules for appraiser independence, investigation timelines, and binding outcomes (except for fraud or material mistakes), applying only to policies delivered in Texas after January 1, 2026. This affects homeowners and auto policyholders who disagree with their insurer's valuation of damage.

Maddy summaryHB 222 clarifies how Texas public school districts must use funds allocated for school safety under the Foundation School Program. It specifies that these funds can be used for: securing school facilities (like infrastructure upgrades and non-razor-wire fencing), employing security personnel (including school resource officers), implementing safety training and mental health programs (such as counselors, threat reporting systems, and restorative practices), and suicide prevention initiatives. The bill directly affects all Texas public school districts receiving these state safety allotments. It passed the Texas House on April 17, 2025, and is now pending further action.

Maddy summaryHB 2684 requires health care providers to inform pregnant women diagnosed with a life-threatening condition in their preborn child about available perinatal palliative care options. The bill mandates the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to create and maintain online informational materials describing palliative care services and a geographically indexed list of providers (excluding abortion providers). It directly affects pregnant women facing such diagnoses and their health care providers. The law aims to ensure access to supportive care focused on reducing suffering for both the pregnant woman and her preborn child. The bill also establishes an administrative penalty for noncompliance, though specific penalty details are not provided in the truncated text.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill (HB 4901) requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) operating in Texas to verify users' ages and categorize them into four groups: child (<13), younger teen (13-15), older teen (16-17), and adult (18+). For minors (under 18), it mandates parental consent by linking accounts to a parent or guardian aged 18 or older. App stores must use reasonable methods to confirm age during account creation. The law directly affects app platforms and users under 18 in Texas, with no voting record available as the bill remains pending in committee.

Maddy summaryThe context provided does not include the actual text or substantive details of HB 1821. The bill description states it relates to "information regarding the procedures and available resources for the sealing of juvenile records," but no specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties are outlined in the available materials. The bill is currently pending in committee with a scheduled public hearing, but no concrete policy changes or operational details are described. Without access to the full bill text or a substantive summary, a factual summary cannot be generated.

Maddy summaryHB 2297 requires toll road operators in Texas to stop collecting tolls on any toll project located within an area under an active evacuation order issued under Texas Government Code Section 418.108. This policy directly affects toll project entities (like toll road operators) and travelers using those roads during emergencies. The bill creates a clear, automatic suspension: tolls cannot be charged for any toll road in the designated evacuation zone while the order is active. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all toll projects covered by evacuation orders.

Maddy summaryThis is a memorial resolution (not a policy bill) honoring Janette Kathleen Davis of Galveston, who passed away on January 3, 2025. It commemorates her career as a forestry professional with the Texas A&M Forest Service and U.S. Forest Service, her work on wildfire risk reduction, and her personal life. The resolution extends condolences to her family and formally recognizes her contributions. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on any group.

Maddy summaryHB 674 increases criminal penalties for offenses committed while avoiding law enforcement checkpoints or evading arrest. It specifically targets individuals who flee police checkpoints or evade detention during the commission of crimes, such as those under Section 20.05 (fleeing arrest) or related offenses. The bill elevates penalties to third-degree felonies when the crime occurs "in the course of or for the purpose of intentionally avoiding a federal or state law enforcement checkpoint," as amended in sections 22.01(b-4) and 28.10 of the Penal Code. This applies to offenses like assault, theft, or other crimes committed during checkpoint evasion, making the punishment more severe for that specific conduct.

Maddy summaryHB 2068 amends the governance structure of the Harris County Flood Control District, clarifying its boundaries and establishing a process for adjacent counties to join the district. The bill specifies that the district’s territory matches Harris County’s boundaries unless modified by specific laws, and adds a new section (Sec. 1C) allowing neighboring counties to petition to join the district via their commissioners court resolution. The district’s governing body, the Harris County Commissioners Court, would approve such petitions after a hearing if the addition benefits the district. This bill directly affects Harris County’s flood management operations and potentially adjacent counties seeking to participate in regional flood control efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 8 reduces the maximum tax rate school districts can collect for the 2025-2026 school year by $0.0331, calculated using a new method in Section 48.2554 of the Education Code. It directly affects all Texas public school districts by adjusting how their maximum tax rates are determined, ensuring rates don’t drop below 90% of neighboring districts’ rates. The bill updates references to "maximum compressed tax rate" in multiple education funding laws to reflect this change and expires on September 1, 2027. It takes effect September 1, 2025, with no additional funding or program changes beyond the tax rate adjustment.