Rep. Ryan Guillen

Maddy summaryHB 1393 would amend Texas law to require the state to observe daylight saving time year-round, creating a new time zone called "Texas Time" for all areas currently using Central or Mountain Standard Time. This bill directly affects all Texans by changing the state's standard time practice, eliminating seasonal clock changes. The key provision states that Texas would permanently adopt daylight saving time, but the law's implementation is conditional: it only takes effect if the U.S. Congress passes federal legislation authorizing states to do so. The bill passed both chambers and was signed by the governor in June 2025, pending federal action.

Maddy summaryHB 2559 modifies Texas local government law to regulate how cities can impose temporary pauses on property development. It requires municipalities to hold two public hearings (with at least 30 days between them) before finalizing a moratorium, and creates a 5-business-day temporary moratorium starting after notice publication. The bill mandates a 90-day expiration for all moratoriums unless extended through a new hearing, and requires a 3/4 vote of the city council for final adoption. This directly affects cities seeking to halt development projects and property owners or developers whose permits may be delayed. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 5320 changes the name of the Starr County Drainage District to the Starr County Drainage and Groundwater Conservation District, dissolves the separate Starr County Groundwater Conservation District, and transfers all of its assets and liabilities to the renamed entity. The bill establishes a five-member board with specific representation requirements (agricultural producers, rural water employees, municipal interests, industrial interests, and county-wide representation) to govern the new district. It also authorizes the district to impose a tax to fund its operations. This bill directly affects Starr County residents and landowners by consolidating two water management entities into one under a single governance structure.

Maddy summaryHB 4904 limits civil liability for property owners who host motorcycle instruction or training courses on their premises. It protects property owners from lawsuits related to accidents or injuries during these courses, unless the injury resulted from gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. The law applies only to incidents occurring on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025. This change directly affects property owners, training schools, and motorcycle instructors operating in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 2306 changes parole eligibility for inmates convicted of specific trafficking offenses involving vulnerable victims. It prohibits parole for individuals serving sentences under Texas Penal Code Sections 20A.02 (regarding child victims), 20A.03, 21.02, 22.021(f), 51.03, or 51.04. The bill amends parole rules to explicitly exclude these trafficking offenses from eligibility, repealing prior provisions that may have allowed parole for such cases. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 171 standardizes the medical certification process for individuals with chemical dependency requiring court-ordered treatment. It requires physicians to include specific details in examination certificates, such as the patient's treatment history and a clear opinion on whether dependency poses serious harm to the person or others. The bill mandates that courts commit eligible individuals to treatment facilities for a fixed period of 30 to 90 days, replacing prior flexible terms, based on either the patient's admission or clear evidence of dependency-related harm. This applies directly to people facing court proceedings under Texas' chemical dependency treatment laws.

Maddy summaryHB 2765 creates a new financial assistance program for rural economic development in Texas, targeting counties with populations under 200,000 and municipalities with under 50,000 residents. It allows these entities to receive funds for land development, attracting private businesses (like manufacturing, warehouses, and mineral extraction), and improving water, waste, or transportation infrastructure. The bill also specifies that the Texas Economic Development Fund must be dedicated exclusively to administering economic development programs focused on rural manufacturing, agricultural exports, and small business initiatives. The program became effective September 1, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers and the governor's desk.

Maddy summaryHB 5033 removes Texas' requirement for a motor vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance program. It states that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Department of Public Safety are no longer obligated to implement or enforce emissions inspections under state law. The bill only takes effect if Congress repeals or significantly amends the federal Clean Air Act, or if the U.S. Constitution is amended to grant states authority to prohibit such programs. This change directly affects vehicle owners who would previously have needed emissions inspections for registration.

Maddy summarySB 379 prohibits SNAP (food stamp) benefits in Texas from being used to purchase energy drinks, sweetened beverages (like soda), carbonated drinks, candy, potato/corn chips, and pre-packaged cookies. It directly affects SNAP recipients who previously could buy these items with their benefits. The law includes exceptions for milk products, milk substitutes (like almond milk), unsweetened beverages, infant formula, weight-loss drinks, and health-recommended products. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Texas law to include the National Rifle Association's (NRA) annual meetings and exhibits as eligible events for state funding under the major events reimbursement program. Previously, the program funded events like sports championships (e.g., NCAA Final Four, NASCAR races) and music awards, but excluded NRA gatherings. The bill adds the NRA specifically to the definition of "Event" in the Government Code, expanding the list of qualifying activities. This change directly affects the NRA by allowing it to seek state reimbursement for these events starting September 1, 2025.