Rep. Jeff Barry

Maddy summaryHB 298 requires Texas driver's licenses and personal ID certificates to include a clear indication that the holder is a U.S. citizen. This applies to all licenses issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The bill specifies that licenses must also display the holder's full name, date of birth, a full-face photograph, a distinguishing number, and either a residence address or, for certain federal judges or officials, the courthouse address. It does not change existing requirements for non-citizens. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 41 prohibits Texas state and local government entities from acquiring or using unmanned aircraft (drones) or related equipment/services produced by companies owned by or tied to the governments of China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or Syria. The law defines "governmental entity" broadly to include state agencies, cities, counties, and school districts, with a grace period allowing existing systems (acquired before September 1, 2025) to remain in use until September 1, 2030. It also establishes a grant program to help law enforcement agencies obtain secure drone technology through the "Law Enforcement Secure Unmanned Aircraft Grant Program." The bill directly affects all Texas public entities purchasing or operating drone systems, aiming to restrict foreign technology access based on national security concerns.

Maddy summaryHB 129 prohibits Texas state and local government entities from entering contracts with companies designated as "foreign adversary companies" (those tied to countries like China, Russia, or Iran) or "federally banned companies" (listed on federal sanctions lists). The bill defines these companies based on U.S. federal designations, including entities restricted under federal defense laws or sanctions. Violating this prohibition could result in civil penalties imposed by the state. The law directly affects Texas government agencies and contractors working with them, aiming to align state procurement with federal security policies.

Maddy summaryHB 7 expands parental rights in Texas public schools by allowing parents to appeal school district decisions to the Texas Education Agency commissioner if those decisions violate state law or employment contracts causing financial harm to an employee. It creates an office of inspector general at the Texas Education Agency to oversee reporting of child abuse and neglect, making failure to report such incidents a criminal offense. The bill establishes procedures for the commissioner to remand cases back to school districts for additional review if procedural errors or insufficient evidence led to the initial decision. This bill directly affects parents, school districts, and employees, while excluding cases involving extracurricular activities or student disciplinary actions under Chapter 37 of the Education Code.

Maddy summaryHB 133 creates two new criminal offenses in Texas law. It criminalizes acting as an agent of a foreign government or terrorist organization to commit certain crimes (like assault or harassment) with the intent to force someone to leave the U.S., discourage protected speech, or retaliate for such speech. It also criminalizes unauthorized enforcement of foreign law within Texas, such as investigating or surveilling residents to prevent them from violating foreign laws without state approval. Penalties are increased (e.g., a Class A misdemeanor becomes a misdemeanor with 180 days minimum jail time). The bill also mandates a study and law enforcement training on transnational repression.

Maddy summaryHB 5269 expands the Office of Public Utility Counsel's authority to access electricity market data from the Public Utility Commission, the independent organization overseeing the ERCOT power grid, and electric utilities. This data includes information on grid reliability, power plant adequacy, and transmission planning. The Office will use this information to better represent residential and small commercial electricity consumers in regulatory proceedings. The bill adds these specific data sources to the Office's existing access rights without altering current data access provisions.

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 5337 requires Texas voters to submit proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. Applicants must provide documents like a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or citizenship papers to county registrars. If proof isn't submitted, voters would only qualify for a limited federal ballot under Chapter 115. The bill creates criminal penalties for failing to provide required documentation and amends election code sections to implement these requirements. This directly affects all new voter registrants in Texas seeking full voting rights.

Maddy summarySB 569 allows Texas school districts to adjust how student attendance is calculated during emergencies (like natural disasters or pandemics) to maintain funding under the Foundation School Program. It authorizes the commissioner of education to grant waivers or modifications to average daily attendance rules during crises, preventing funding cuts that would otherwise occur if attendance dropped due to virtual learning or school closures. The bill also permits the commissioner to charge a fee for processing these attendance adjustments. This directly affects school districts relying on state funding tied to attendance metrics during emergency periods.

Maddy summaryHB 2711 establishes a work group to study whether creating a statewide or regional registry of available acute psychiatric beds at inpatient mental health facilities would be feasible. The work group, composed of 18 members including hospital representatives (rural, urban, public, and private), medical associations, mental health professionals, technology experts, and public health specialists, must evaluate bed registry impacts and submit a report to the legislature by September 1, 2026. This bill does not implement a registry but examines its potential effectiveness for patients needing psychiatric care. It directly affects Texas hospitals, mental health facilities, and patients seeking inpatient psychiatric treatment by assessing how a registry might improve access to care. The study focuses on practical implementation, not on mandating a registry.