Rep. Ron Reynolds

Maddy summaryHB 3338 restricts permits for certain concrete plants (those doing wet/dry batching or central mixing) located in areas without municipal zoning and within five miles of schools, day-care centers, or hospitals. It prevents the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality from issuing or authorizing such permits for new applications filed on or after September 1, 2025. Existing permits filed before that date remain valid under prior law. The bill does not change zoning regulations but adds a specific permit requirement for these facilities near sensitive locations.

Maddy summaryHB 3443 sets specific temperature standards for facilities operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). It requires all TDCJ facilities to maintain indoor temperatures between 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The law takes effect on September 1, 2026, with a fallback date of September 1, 2025, if it doesn't receive the required two-thirds legislative vote for immediate passage. This bill directly affects all TDCJ-operated facilities, including prisons and correctional centers, by establishing concrete minimum and maximum temperature requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 3299 prevents local governments (like cities or counties) from banning or restricting building products approved under national model codes. Specifically, it bars local rules that either prohibit such products or set stricter standards than those in nationally recognized codes published within the last three code cycles. Local governments may still adjust building codes for local concerns, but only if they don’t conflict with these national standards. This directly affects builders, contractors, and local officials who develop or enforce building regulations for residential or commercial construction.

Maddy summaryHB 3300 requires the Texas comptroller of public accounts to study ways to modernize and improve efficiency across state government operations. The study will examine agency structures, service delivery, regulatory processes, technology adoption (including artificial intelligence), and fraud detection methods. The comptroller must submit a report with findings and legislative recommendations by December 1, 2026. This bill affects all state agencies by directing them to participate in the study and consider the report's proposals for future reforms.

Maddy summaryHB 3295 would remove a specific requirement in Texas law that previously mandated public colleges and universities to implement certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The bill directly affects all public institutions of higher education in Texas by repealing Education Code Section 51.3525, which contained those requirements. This is a straightforward procedural change that eliminates an existing mandate, not a new policy. The bill takes effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote, or September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Maddy summaryHB 3298 modifies air quality permit requirements for concrete batch plants in Texas. It requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to notify county judges and local municipal governing bodies when permit applications are submitted for these facilities. The bill also establishes specific emission control standards, mandating that plants use fabric or cartridge filters on storage silos and mixers, maintain them without leaks, and meet strict testing standards for visible emissions (no more than 30 seconds of visible smoke in a five-minute period). These requirements apply directly to permanent concrete batch plants performing wet or dry batching operations.

Maddy summaryHB 3027 limits nonresident undergraduate and graduate student admissions at Texas public universities to no more than 15% of each program's enrollment capacity for the 2026-2027 academic year and beyond. This policy directly affects public institutions of higher education in Texas and nonresident students seeking admission. The bill establishes a fixed cap on out-of-state enrollment, requiring universities to prioritize in-state applicants while maintaining the 15% maximum for nonresidents. It takes effect September 1, 2025, with the 15% limit applying to admissions beginning the 2026-2027 academic year. The law amends the Education Code to implement this specific enrollment restriction.

Maddy summaryHB 3028 requires courts and corrections officials to provide written notice to certain individuals about potential voting eligibility after completing felony sentences. Specifically, judges must notify felony defendants on community supervision when their supervision ends, and the Department of Corrections must notify inmates who complete their sentences (including parole or supervision) about possible voter registration under Texas Election Code Section 13.001. The bill applies only to people fully discharging sentences on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025). It does not change voting eligibility rules but ensures affected individuals receive clear information about their existing rights.

Maddy summaryHB 2957 amends Texas Transportation Code to clarify motorcycle lane usage rules. It grants motorcycle operators full lane use rights, allowing two motorcycles to ride abreast in a single lane and permitting passing in the same lane under specific conditions (divided highway, slow vehicle, 20 mph max speed). The bill prohibits motorcycles from operating more than two abreast or passing between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting motorcycle riders on Texas roadways.

Maddy summaryHB 3297 establishes the Texas Prekindergarten Fund within the state's general revenue fund to support public school prekindergarten programs. The fund will provide money for school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to expand access to high-quality prekindergarten, offer financial assistance, train teachers, and improve facilities. Funds are allocated based on the percentage of low-income students, geographic needs, and compliance with quality standards, with priority given to districts serving low-income families, rural communities, or high-performing programs. The bill requires an annual report to the legislature by September 1st on fund distribution and program impacts, effective September 1, 2025.