Rep. Ryan Guillen

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 108) urges the U.S. Department of Commerce to maintain the Tomato Suspension Agreement, which prevents a 17.09% tariff on Mexican tomatoes entering the U.S. It directly affects Texas tomato importers, growers, and businesses in the Rio Grande Valley - particularly those in Pharr and Laredo - where Mexican tomatoes contribute over $1.5 billion annually and support 32,000 jobs. The resolution cites that terminating the agreement would cause an estimated $4.5 billion in economic losses for Texas and threaten the closure of many produce warehouses. It does not change laws but formally requests the U.S. Department of Commerce to preserve the existing trade arrangement.

Maddy summarySB 1362 prohibits Texas state and local entities - including courts, law enforcement, and prosecutors - from recognizing, serving, or enforcing "extreme risk protective orders" (commonly called "red flag" orders). These orders typically restrict firearm access when a court deems someone a risk to themselves or others. The bill creates a criminal offense for violating this prohibition and blocks Texas entities from accepting federal grants meant to implement such orders. It directly affects all Texas government bodies and law enforcement agencies, preventing them from participating in programs that require enforcing these firearm restrictions. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1056 recognizes physical gold and silver coins meeting specific weight and purity standards as legal tender in Texas for debt payments, while prohibiting government markings except for identifying refiners. It authorizes the state comptroller to establish electronic payment systems backed by bullion held in depositories, allowing transactions using gold/silver-based currency. The bill explicitly states it does not replace U.S. dollars, restrict federal currency, or require businesses to accept gold/silver tender. It also permits the comptroller to set reasonable administrative fees for the system. This law applies to Texas residents and businesses using the state-administered electronic currency system, operating alongside existing federal currency.

Maddy summarySB 2570 creates a legal justification for correctional facility guards and peace officers to use less-lethal force weapons (such as stun guns, impact devices, or chemical dispensers) when their use aligns with their training. The law specifies that officers are justified if their actions were in "substantial compliance" with required training, directly affecting only these specific law enforcement personnel. It applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date (June 20, 2025), with prior incidents governed by existing law. The bill became effective immediately upon the Governor’s signature on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 27 requires all Texas public high school students to complete at least one-half credit in personal financial literacy as part of their social studies graduation requirements under Education Code Section 28.025(b-1)(4). The bill directs the State Board of Education to develop a list of free, open-source curricula for these courses and allows Advanced Placement courses meeting specific standards to count toward the requirement. This policy change affects all public high school students in Texas, mandating practical financial education alongside traditional subjects like history and government. The law, signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025, is now effective immediately for all public school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 521 creates a criminal offense for loitering or electioneering within 100 feet of a polling place entrance or 20 feet of curbside voting parking spaces during voting hours. It establishes curbside voting for voters with disabilities who cannot enter polling places safely, requiring election officers to deliver ballots at the entrance or curb upon request. Voters must sign a sworn form confirming their need for accommodation, and polling places must reserve parking marked with a phone number for assistance requests and a "no electioneering" notice. The law also mandates that election officers delivering ballots cannot assist with marking them and requires two officers to be present for curbside voting when four or more officers are available.

Maddy summaryHB 3214 modifies Texas' master plumber license eligibility requirements by reducing the required journeyman plumber experience from four years to two years. It allows applicants to qualify with either two years of experience or one year of experience plus completion of a nationally recognized apprenticeship program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. The bill applies only to new license applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, leaving existing applications and current license holders unaffected. All other requirements - including passing exams and supervision duties - remain unchanged under the revised rules.

Maddy summaryHB 43 amends Texas law to update the definition of "agricultural business" in the Agriculture Code, explicitly including rural recreational businesses (like hiking or fishing on farmland) and nonprofit land conservation groups. It also revises the composition of the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority's board, requiring the governor to appoint nine members with specific representation: two young farmers/ranchers, two representatives from rural entities (chambers, trade associations), and others with agricultural lending expertise. These changes directly affect entities applying for the Authority's loan and grant programs, such as farmers, ranchers, rural tourism businesses, and conservation nonprofits. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, after passing both chambers unanimously.

Maddy summarySB 231 establishes rules for temporary emergency power facilities used during disasters. It requires these facilities to be mobile, capable of generating power within three hours of connection, and limited to 5 megawatts. Utilities must follow specific leasing procedures with commission approval, though emergency exceptions apply during major outages when immediate power restoration is needed. The bill also mandates the Public Utility Commission to review rates for utilities that leased such facilities but failed to deploy them during the 2024 disaster.

Maddy summaryHB 120 amends Texas education law to prioritize college, career, and military readiness for high school students. It adds two new academic goals: requiring graduates to have immediate workforce skills (Goal 5) and ensuring college readiness without remediation (Goal 6). The bill mandates public schools to report de-identified student outcomes - including college enrollment, remedial coursework, and employment data - disaggregated by school district and campus. These reports will inform school accountability ratings and guide funding for career programs like the FAST and R-PEP initiatives. The law directly affects all Texas public high schools, students, and district administrators through updated accountability measures.