Rep. Terri Leo-Wilson

Maddy summaryHB 911 designates June 24 as "Celebration of Life Day," adding it as a state holiday in Texas. The bill amends the Government Code to include this date in the list of official state holidays, alongside existing observances like Texas Independence Day and San Jacinto Day. This change affects state government operations, requiring agencies to close on June 24 each year starting September 1, 2025. The bill does not alter other holiday provisions or provide additional funding.

Maddy summaryHB 898, titled the "Texas Sovereignty Act," is a declarative bill that states the Texas legislature's interpretation of constitutional limits on federal power. It asserts that the federal government oversteps its authority under the U.S. Constitution, emphasizing that states retain all powers not explicitly delegated to the federal government (per the Tenth Amendment) and that federal regulation of intrastate commerce is unconstitutional. The bill does not create new laws, impose state regulations, or alter existing legal authority - it solely expresses the legislature’s position on constitutional principles. It directly affects Texas’s political stance on federalism but has no binding effect on state or federal actions. This is a symbolic resolution, not a policy-changing bill.

Maddy summaryHB 962 requires healthcare providers and facilities that administer vaccines to submit reports of vaccine injuries to the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). This bill directly affects hospitals, clinics, and medical staff who give vaccines, as they must now report any adverse events through the federal system. The key provision mandates these reports be submitted to VAERS, which collects data on vaccine side effects for national safety monitoring. This policy change standardizes reporting to the federal database without altering VAERS itself.

Maddy summaryHB 764 (Lauren and CJ's Law) increases the minimum prison sentence for intoxication manslaughter convictions to five years. It requires courts to impose at least 120 days in jail before granting probation for these offenses, with a potential reduction to two years only under strict conditions. The bill also bars parole eligibility until an inmate serves five full years without credit for good behavior, and prevents release to mandatory supervision before completing the full sentence. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of causing death while driving under the influence, changing their sentencing and release options.

Maddy summaryHB 802 requires local governments (cities and counties) managing coastal beaches to submit proposed access and use plans to the Texas General Land Office commissioner for review. The commissioner must approve, partially approve, or deny plans within 90 days, providing specific written objections and suggested changes for denials or partial approvals. If partially approved, local governments can resubmit only the unapproved portions for further review under revised rules. This bill streamlines the approval process by adding clear timelines, requiring detailed feedback on denials, and establishing a formal mechanism for partial approvals under Section 61.0151 of the Natural Resources Code.

Maddy summaryHB 761 waives hunting and fishing license fees for honorably discharged veterans in Texas. It directly affects veterans who served in the U.S. armed forces and received an honorable discharge, making these licenses free for them. The bill amends state law to require the Parks and Wildlife Commission to waive fees for veterans under specific sections of the code, covering both individual licenses and combination hunting/fishing licenses. This change applies only to licenses issued on or after September 1, 2025, with no refunds for licenses purchased before that date.

Maddy summaryHB 776 amends Texas law to define which school districts qualify for a state study of property values conducted by the comptroller. It specifies that an "eligible school district" must have had invalid local property values in the most recent study (without exceeding state values) and valid local values in the two prior studies. This change applies only to property value studies for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. The bill directly affects school districts participating in this state-comptroller study, altering eligibility criteria for inclusion.

Maddy summaryHB 818 adds mifepristone and misoprostol to Texas' Schedule IV controlled substances under the Texas Controlled Substances Act. However, it specifically exempts pregnant women from possession prohibitions for these medications, allowing them to legally possess mifepristone or misoprostol for their own use. The bill does not change medical prescribing rules but modifies criminal penalties for unauthorized possession. It takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 749 requires food service establishments in Texas serving shrimp imported from outside the U.S. to provide customers with a notice about the shrimp's origin. This notice must be displayed either on menus or in a visible area of the establishment. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, but businesses have until March 1, 2026, to comply. It directly affects restaurants and food venues serving imported shrimp, mandating transparency about the shrimp's import source without altering import regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 789 requires school districts to obtain written parental consent before school staff conduct psychological or psychiatric assessments, tests, or treatment for students. It applies to all school personnel, including contractors, and defines "mental health activities" broadly to include surveys, check-ins, or screenings disguised as academic exercises. Exceptions include mandated special education evaluations, safety recordings (like discipline footage), classroom instruction, and student safety programs. The bill also clarifies it does not override existing child counseling consent rules or mandatory child abuse reporting requirements. This law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.