Rep. A.J. Louderback

Maddy summaryHB 4336 allows hospital employees to take custody of newborns without a court order under specific conditions. It applies to infants 60 days old or younger who are voluntarily left with hospital staff immediately after birth (e.g., handed to an employee or placed in a designated safety device) and where the parent does not express intent to return. The bill amends Texas Family Code Section 262.302(a) to formalize this process, removing the need for judicial oversight in these emergency situations. The law will take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3669 amends Texas' Penal Code to clarify the legal definition of "firearm" for criminal offenses. It specifically excludes antique/curio firearms manufactured before 1899 and their replicas (if they don't use rim/center fire ammunition), as well as "less-lethal projectile devices" like rubber bullets designed to temporarily incapacitate targets with minimal injury risk. The bill creates a new definition for "less-lethal projectile device" in Section 46.01(21). These changes apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior offenses governed by older law. The bill focuses on defining what constitutes a firearm under criminal statutes, not altering penalties.

Maddy summaryHJR 98 is a Texas legislative resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It seeks to propose amendments that would impose spending limits on the federal government, reduce federal power over states, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. Texas formally applies to Congress to initiate this process, with the resolution intended as a continuing application until at least 34 states (two-thirds) support the same purpose. This is a procedural request - Texas has no authority to create new laws, but aims to join other states in advancing this constitutional mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 3369 amends Texas Education Code to change how school officials handle disruptive spectators at athletic events. It removes the requirement for referees or judges to issue a verbal warning before ejecting spectators who behave inappropriately. The law directly affects school officials (like referees) and spectators at district or UIL-sanctioned sports events, allowing immediate ejection without prior warnings. The bill applies starting the 2025-2026 school year and takes effect September 1, 2025, unless it receives a two-thirds vote for immediate implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 2587 requires Texas hospitals to report costs of providing care to patients without legal immigration status. Hospitals must ask about immigration status during intake (without affecting care) and submit quarterly data on costs and financial impact to a state agency. The agency then compiles an annual report for lawmakers by November 1, detailing total costs and how these expenses affected hospitals. This applies to all Texas hospitals serving patients who were not lawfully present at the time of care, focusing on transparency about uncompensated care expenses.

Maddy summaryHB 4176 allows certain non-peace officer employees of law enforcement agencies (who complete approved training) to investigate minor motor vehicle collisions under specific conditions. It applies to collisions with no injuries/death, property damage under $5,000, and no offenses beyond minor fines. These employees must file a written summary report electronically within 10 days, similar to officers handling more serious incidents. The bill updates Texas Transportation Code sections to clarify this expanded authority and reporting requirement, effective September 1, 2025. It directly affects law enforcement agencies' non-sworn staff conducting preliminary collision investigations.

Maddy summaryHB 4820 allows specific water districts bordering the Gulf of America and an international border to issue short-term debt (notes) during disaster declarations without the usual three-year term limit. It directly affects districts in counties without cities over 750,000 population and not adjacent to such counties. The bill requires these districts to submit note authorizations to the attorney general for approval and makes issued notes "incontestable" in court during the declared disaster period. This change streamlines emergency funding access for affected water districts while maintaining oversight through attorney general review.

Maddy summaryHB 1128 amends Texas Penal Code Section 46.03 to create an exception allowing licensed election judges and certain early voting staff to carry concealed handguns while performing their duties at polling places. This directly affects election judges (as defined in Election Code Chapter 32) and early voting clerks/deputies serving as election judges at early voting locations. The bill modifies the existing prohibition on concealed carry at polling places to exclude these specific election personnel who hold valid handgun licenses. The change applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, the bill's effective date.

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 summaryThis bill amends Texas law to change how blood test warrants are executed for people suspected of driving under the influence (DUI). It allows any peace officer to carry out these warrants in counties adjacent to where the warrant was issued, and permits any law enforcement officer authorized to make arrests in the execution county to perform the test. The changes apply only to warrants issued on or after September 1, 2025, with older warrants following previous rules. This directly affects law enforcement officers handling DUI cases involving blood tests.