Rep. Jeff Barry

Maddy summaryHB 3609 requires Texas groundwater conservation districts to update their management plans using the best available data and include specific elements, such as the most recently approved "desired future conditions" for groundwater and corresponding modeled available groundwater amounts. Districts must amend plans before the second anniversary of adopting these conditions, and if a petition challenges a condition's reasonableness, plans must include status updates and additional details until the challenge is resolved. The executive administrator must approve complete plans within 60 days of receipt, ensuring districts meet all required content standards. This bill directly affects groundwater conservation districts across Texas, streamlining how they develop and revise plans to align with state water planning processes.

Maddy summaryHB 3288 prevents trustees from withholding or diverting trust funds tied to a construction project due to disputes unrelated to that specific project. It requires trustees to apply funds only to the contract that generated them, making it illegal to withhold money for other disputes (e.g., disagreements about separate projects). The law applies only to construction contracts entered into on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting contractors, developers, and trustees handling project-specific trust funds. This clarifies that misapplying funds during unrelated disputes constitutes a violation under Texas Property Code.

Maddy summaryHB 1079 would designate Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and Leadership Officer Training Corps (LOTC) programs as official public school career and technology education programs. This change would directly affect public schools offering these military-focused training programs, requiring them to be counted toward the state's career and technology education metrics. The bill also specifies that participation in these programs would serve as an indicator of military readiness within the public school accountability system. This legislation aims to formally integrate these programs into existing educational frameworks without altering their structure or curriculum. The bill is currently pending in committee after a public hearing.

Maddy summaryHB 54, titled "Relating to the display of and allowance for non-human behaviors in Texas schools," is a procedural bill that amends school discipline requirements. It mandates that Texas public school districts include specific factors in their student conduct codes, such as self-defense, intent, disability considerations, and homelessness status, when making disciplinary decisions like suspensions or expulsions. The bill requires schools to post these codes prominently and consider these factors in all disciplinary actions. It does not ban specific activities but standardizes how schools evaluate student behavior. The bill is currently pending in the Education Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 118 establishes the Texas Advisory Committee on Pacific Conflict to advise the state on preparing for potential conflicts in the Pacific Ocean region. The bill defines "Pacific conflict" as threats involving U.S. allies in the Pacific, including attacks on U.S. homeland or disruptions to supply chains with China or Taiwan. The committee will focus on reducing security vulnerabilities in Texas, protecting critical infrastructure (like oil/gas systems, water supply, and communications networks), and ensuring critical procurement for state operations. This is a procedural bill creating an advisory body, not a direct policy change, with no voting record yet as it remains pending in committee.

Maddy summaryHB 3251 transfers management of the First Capitol State Historic Site and its replica building in West Columbia, Texas, to the Texas Historical Commission (THC). The bill requires the THC to preserve, maintain, and operate the site by expanding visitor facilities - relocating the replica to a historically accurate location, constructing a replica senate building, and building a visitor center. It also mandates the THC to develop educational programs, preserve historical artifacts, and manage site operations through staff training and infrastructure improvements. This bill directly affects the site's historical preservation efforts and public access, with no financial or policy changes for citizens beyond enhanced visitor experiences.

Maddy summaryHB 503 amends Texas law to expand eligibility for two salary assistance grant programs. It raises the population cap for qualifying counties (from 300,000 to 400,000) for the rural sheriff's office grant program and for qualifying prosecutor's offices (from 300,000 to 400,000 population in their jurisdiction). Counties and prosecutor's offices in jurisdictions with 300,000-400,000 residents can now apply for higher grant amounts: $650,000 for sheriff offices and $375,000 for prosecutor offices. The bill takes effect immediately if approved by two-thirds vote, or September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Maddy summaryHB 25 requires Texas public schools to provide daily physical activity for students in prekindergarten through grade 8, mandating at least 30 minutes of moderate/vigorous activity per day for younger students (pre-K-grade 5) and 135-225 minutes weekly for middle schoolers (grades 6-8), with scheduling flexibility. It directly affects all Texas public school students in these grades and prohibits school staff from withholding physical activity as punishment for academic or behavioral reasons. The bill also adds a new requirement that higher education institutions receiving certain funds must develop nutrition curricula aligned with Texas nutrition guidelines. This legislation focuses on structured physical education and activity standards, not on nutrition food policies. The bill is currently pending in committee after being favorably reported as substituted.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 945), not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It formally honors Pope Francis following his death on April 21, 2025, recognizing his life, leadership as the first Latin American pope, and global efforts to serve the vulnerable. The resolution memorializes his legacy, including his work during Argentina's economic crisis, interfaith initiatives, and pandemic-era outreach. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group through policy changes. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to express collective remembrance.

Maddy summarySB 14, titled the Regulatory Reform and Efficiency Act, creates the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office within the governor's office to streamline how state agencies develop and review regulations. The office will help agencies identify unnecessary rules, reduce costs for businesses and individuals, and establish a public online portal for searching regulatory information. This bill directly affects state agencies that create regulations and the public who interact with those regulations. The new office will operate until 2037 unless extended under the Sunset Act, with its work focused on improving regulatory efficiency and transparency.