Rep. Terri Leo-Wilson

Maddy summaryHB 3003 amends Texas Penal Code Section 28.03 to criminalize unauthorized entry, occupancy, sale, rental, lease, advertising, or conveyance of real property, including removing unauthorized occupants from dwellings. It establishes tiered penalties based on financial damage: Class C misdemeanors for losses under $100 or causing "substantial inconvenience," up to third-degree felonies for losses over $30,000 or specific aggravating factors like damaging livestock fences or disrupting public services. The bill also increases penalties for property damage involving firearms, catalytic converter tampering, or causing livestock deaths. It directly affects individuals who illegally occupy or damage property, with consequences ranging from fines to imprisonment depending on the severity of the violation. The bill is currently in committee referral stage (Trade, Workforce & Economic Development) as of March 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3210 requires state contractors, local governments (political subdivisions), and private employers in Texas to use the federal E-Verify program to confirm employee work authorization. The bill mandates that state agencies cannot award contracts to entities not registered with E-Verify, and contracts must include a certification statement confirming compliance. Contractors must maintain E-Verify participation throughout the contract term, and violations would be referred to the comptroller for action. This policy directly affects businesses and government entities entering into state contracts by making federal employment verification a contractual condition. The bill focuses on implementing existing federal verification requirements through state contract rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2945 requires freestanding emergency medical care facilities in Texas to submit reports to the Health and Human Services Commission for any patient stay exceeding 48 hours. Facilities are exempt from reporting stays of 48 hours or less. The reports must follow the commission's specified format and submission method. This requirement takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 141 proposes a constitutional amendment to remove a current Texas law requiring municipal, county, or district officeholders to automatically resign if they run for another local office. Currently, state law (Article XVI, Section 65) forces these officials to step down when seeking additional elected positions, but this bill would repeal that requirement. The amendment would allow local officials to remain in their current roles while campaigning for other offices, without needing to resign first. If approved by voters in November 2025, this change would take effect as a constitutional provision.

Maddy summaryHB 2866 amends Texas education law to refine public school accountability systems. It requires assessment tools to be validated as "valid and reliable" by an independent entity before use, limits school district appeals of commissioner decisions to cases where the district is directly aggrieved, and updates how school performance is evaluated using data from the PEIMS system and student assessments. The bill directly affects Texas public school districts, campuses, and the commissioner of education by changing how accountability measures are implemented and challenged. Key provisions include new validation standards for tests, revised appeal procedures, and expanded requirements for evaluating district programs using specific data sources.

Maddy summaryBased on the provided context, HB 2764 is titled "Relating to reporting by the Texas Education Agency and the comptroller on school finance." However, the bill text is unavailable in the current context (noted as "This version is not currently available, but is coming soon"). Without access to the specific provisions or mechanisms of the bill, a substantive summary cannot be generated. The bill appears to relate to financial reporting requirements for school funding, but no concrete policy changes or affected parties are described in the provided materials. A full summary would require the actual bill text or detailed summary documentation.

Maddy summaryHB 2840 defines "milk" as liquid secreted by mammal mammary glands and "milk product" as any product containing milk. It prohibits businesses from labeling or advertising non-milk products as "milk" or "milk products." This bill directly affects food manufacturers and retailers selling plant-based or alternative dairy products that currently use terms like "milk" in their branding. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, requiring clear labeling that aligns with the defined terms.

Maddy summaryHB 2816 protects healthcare providers and facilities from being required to participate in or provide certain health care services that conflict with their sincerely held religious or philosophical beliefs. It defines key terms like "conscience," "health care provider" (including students and non-licensed staff), and "health care service" (covering family planning, abortion-related counseling, and treatment). The bill creates a civil remedy for violations and authorizes disciplinary action against entities that force non-participation in services due to conscience objections. It directly affects hospitals, clinics, pharmacists, and all healthcare workers who may decline services like abortion care or contraception-related counseling. The law aims to prevent adverse actions against providers who refuse such services based on personal beliefs.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits foreign organizations - those organized under foreign law or with principal places of business outside the U.S. - and organizations owned by or controlled by such entities, non-U.S. citizens, or foreign governments from purchasing or acquiring title to real property in Texas. Existing property interests acquired before September 1, 2025, may be retained until March 1, 2026, after which they must be sold. The prohibition takes effect September 1, 2025, with all transitional provisions expiring January 1, 2027. It directly affects foreign-owned businesses, investment groups, and entities operating across international borders within Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 2704 defines "female," "male," and "sex" based on biological characteristics observed at birth, including reproductive anatomy. It requires facilities like restrooms, changing rooms, and sleeping quarters to be designated for "women" or "men" according to these biological definitions. The bill creates a civil right of action, allowing individuals to sue if they believe a facility designated for women is used by someone not biologically female. Its stated purpose is to protect women and girls from sexual assault in gender-segregated spaces.