Rep. Katrina Pierson

Maddy summaryHB 1939 creates a 4% credit for Texas school districts that prepay attendance credit costs under the public school finance system. Specifically, districts that elect to pay for attendance credit using a specified payment method and pay the full amount by February 15 each school year receive this credit. The bill directly affects all Texas public school districts required to purchase attendance credit under Chapter 49 of the Education Code. The credit applies after other applicable reductions and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 455 requires that surplus lines insurance contracts (for risks wholly located in Texas) include arbitration agreements conducted in Texas under Texas law, unless both insurer and policyholder agree to change the venue after the insurer provides written notice and a premium credit for added costs. This applies to new or renewed contracts on or after January 1, 2026, affecting insurers and policyholders purchasing specialized insurance for high-risk properties in Texas. The bill ensures arbitration venues and legal interpretations remain tied to Texas, preventing out-of-state arbitration without financial compensation to policyholders. It becomes effective September 1, 2025, but the new rules apply to contracts delivered after 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Health Professions Workforce Coordinating Council to develop strategic plans for Texas' health care workforce, replacing two existing entities: the statewide health coordinating council and its nursing advisory committee. The new council will include representatives from key health agencies (like the Texas Health and Human Services Department, Texas Medical Board, and Texas Education Agency) and four governor-appointed members with health care workforce expertise. Its main duty is to compile and analyze workforce data from state agencies to inform strategic planning for health care systems. The bill aims to streamline coordination and improve workforce planning across Texas' health care sector.

Maddy summarySB 2183 modifies Texas law to define specific time periods when retail fireworks permit holders can sell fireworks to the public. The bill establishes seven distinct sales windows, including periods around Independence Day (June 24-July 4), the May holiday week, Diwali, and the December 20-January 1 holiday period. It repeals a previous subsection (h) that allowed additional sales near the Texas-Mexico border under certain conditions. This bill directly affects businesses holding retail fireworks permits by restricting their sales to these designated dates, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 554 creates a new window for fireworks sales in Texas counties that approve it, specifically allowing sales from June 14 through June 19 (Juneteenth). This directly affects retail fireworks sellers in counties where commissioners courts have approved the sale period. The bill amends existing law to add this Juneteenth window to the list of authorized seasonal sale periods, alongside existing dates like Independence Day and July 4. It became effective immediately after the governor signed it on May 26, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2188 requires spaceflight operators in specific Texas counties (bordering the Gulf of Mexico with FAA-approved spaceports) and small municipalities (under 150,000 population) to submit proposed launch dates to local officials. It allows county commissioners courts or municipal governing bodies to temporarily close beaches near launch sites during designated times - Monday 8 a.m. to Friday 12 p.m., or Friday 12 p.m. to Monday 8 a.m. - to protect public safety. The bill directly affects spaceport operators and coastal communities with approved launch facilities, while prohibiting local governments from banning spaceflight activities outside these specific closure procedures. It clarifies that spaceflight regulation falls under federal and state jurisdiction, not local ordinances.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals to submit proof of United States citizenship when registering to vote. Applicants must provide a copy of specific documents, such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate, with their voter registration application. If initial proof is not provided, voter registrars must attempt to verify citizenship using various databases. If citizenship cannot be verified or proof is not ultimately provided, the applicant will only be eligible to vote a limited federal ballot. The bill also creates a state jail felony offense for registrars who knowingly fail to reject applications that do not meet these new requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2007 allows Texas vehicle registration applicants to voluntarily indicate if they are a member of the U.S. armed forces. When disclosed, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles must include this military status in the vehicle's registration records and any related reports released by the department. The bill applies directly to military members registering or renewing vehicle registration in Texas. It does not create new benefits or requirements but adds a disclosure option to existing registration processes, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 1028 designates May 21, 2025, as "Texas Capitol Staff Appreciation Day" to symbolically recognize legislative staff members for their work supporting Texas lawmakers. This ceremonial resolution, adopted by the Texas House of Representatives, expresses formal appreciation for staff employed in state lawmaker offices and legislative agencies. It has no legal effect, funding requirements, or policy changes - it solely serves as a symbolic gesture of recognition. The bill passed the House on May 23, 2025, and is now enrolled.

Maddy summaryHB 331 creates a legal presumption that certain heart attacks or strokes suffered by firefighters, peace officers, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are work-related if they occur within eight hours after a shift involving strenuous physical activity like firefighting, rescue, or training. This means these first responders no longer need to prove their medical condition was caused by their job - instead, the law assumes it was work-related under specific conditions. The bill applies only to claims filed after its effective date (May 24, 2025), not to past claims. It excludes clerical or administrative work from the presumption, focusing solely on active emergency response duties.