Rep. Ron Reynolds

Maddy summaryHB 1228 allows homeowners to immediately begin emergency repairs on damaged residential buildings if the repairs protect public safety, prevent further damage, or preserve structural integrity. Homeowners must apply for an emergency permit within three business days of starting repairs or when the municipality/county can accept the application. The bill requires cities and counties to permit these immediate repairs and prohibits them from blocking such work. If a local government violates this law, homeowners can sue for damages and recover attorney fees. This directly affects homeowners needing urgent repairs and local governments managing building permits.

Maddy summaryHB 1368 requires Texas public schools (with 10,000+ students) to notify parents in writing if they lack a full-time nurse, school counselor, or librarian for more than 30 consecutive instructional days. Schools must send this notice within 30 days of the absence starting, offering bilingual options for non-English speaking families. The law applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and allows schools to post notices on their websites if accessible via three clicks. It does not apply to schools with fewer than 10,000 students.

Maddy summaryHB 3442 requires Texas courts to mandate completion of approved alcohol awareness programs for minors convicted of certain alcohol-related offenses. It specifies three approved program types: state-regulated alcohol awareness courses (under Chapter 171, Government Code), substance misuse education programs (under Transportation Code), or any six-hour court-approved program. First-time offenders must complete such programs, while courts may require them for repeat offenders. The bill amends existing laws to clarify program requirements and court authority during deferred disposition periods.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits late payment fees charged by municipal water utilities in Texas. It caps fees at $5 or 2% of the overdue amount before day 32, $5 or 5% between days 32-41, and $5 or 10% after day 41. Utilities cannot begin charging penalties before 21 days after billing a customer, and penalties end when the full amount is paid. The rules apply only to fees charged on or after the bill's effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed by two-thirds vote).

Maddy summaryHB 4838 requires Texas' Health and Human Services Commission to hire a language access coordinator to assess barriers non-English speakers face when accessing state health/human services programs and 2-1-1 services through the Texas Information and Referral Network. The coordinator must complete an assessment within one year of hiring and submit a written report to the commission's executive commissioner, summarizing findings and recommending improvements to increase language access statewide. The bill mandates this process to identify gaps in service accessibility for non-English speakers. The requirement expires June 1, 2027, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1341 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to establish and enforce maximum allowable ground-level concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in the air. It sets stricter limits (0.04 parts per million averaged over 30 minutes) for areas used for residential, recreational, business, or commercial purposes, and slightly higher limits (0.06 ppm) for agricultural or other non-residential areas. The TCEQ must review and update these limits at least every five years based on the latest health studies. The bill also classifies violations as "major significance" under state water code rules, with rules required to be adopted by September 1, 2026. This directly affects residents, businesses, and industrial facilities near potential H₂S emission sources in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 2275 requires that surplus lines insurance contracts (specialized policies for high-risk or hard-to-place coverage) containing arbitration agreements must specify that any arbitration occurs in Texas and follows Texas law. It mandates that both the arbitration process and contract interpretation be governed by Texas statutes, applying only to contracts delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. Existing contracts before that date remain subject to prior law. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects insurers writing surplus lines policies in Texas.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas licensing authorities to issue provisional occupational licenses for six months to applicants with criminal convictions who are otherwise qualified for the license, unless they have specific serious convictions listed in the Occupations Code. The provisional license begins upon the applicant's release from incarceration if they were imprisoned. It applies to most occupational licensing fields (like healthcare or trades) but excludes applicants convicted of offenses under Section 53.021(a). The bill provides a pathway for certain applicants to obtain licenses without full revocation of eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 2777 would prohibit the death penalty for defendants found to have had "severe mental illness" (defined as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder with active psychotic symptoms impairing judgment or understanding of wrongfulness) at the time of a capital offense. The bill requires defendants to file a 30-day notice before trial to present evidence of this condition, which they must prove by "clear and convincing evidence." If notice is not filed, such evidence becomes inadmissible unless the court finds "good cause" for the delay. The law would directly affect defendants in Texas capital cases who qualify under this mental health definition, altering sentencing eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 2, 2025, as "Urban League Advocates Day" at the Texas State Capitol. It honors the Houston Area Urban League and Austin Area Urban League for their community work, recognizing their advocacy in education, economic development, social justice, and health services. The resolution has no binding policy impact - it is a ceremonial acknowledgment with no new requirements or funding. It was adopted by the Texas House on May 2, 2025, and copies will be provided to both organizations.