Rep. Katrina Pierson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas' Department of State Health Services to study the use of psychedelic therapies (including MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine) for treating PTSD, depression, and related conditions. The study will review clinical evidence, FDA actions, treatment guidelines, and patient access barriers, with recommendations for future implementation if therapies gain federal approval. The department must submit a final report by December 1, 2026, and the bill expires September 1, 2027. It does not change current treatment laws but prepares for potential future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 3142 sets new requirements for school marshals in Texas public and private schools. To qualify, a person must either hold a specific license under Texas law or be a volunteer who is a veteran, active military member, peace officer, reserve officer, or retired peace officer. School districts, charter schools, private schools, and public junior colleges must appoint marshals meeting these standards. The bill also allows school districts to reimburse volunteers for training costs related to the marshal role. This directly affects school districts, volunteers, and individuals seeking to serve as school marshals.

Maddy summaryHB 5014 creates a new "SPECIAL FORCES VETERAN" designation for handgun license holders in Texas. It requires applicants to list qualifying military service (12+ consecutive months in specific Army Special Forces roles like 18A detachment commander or 18B weapons sergeant) and provide proof of eligibility. The bill amends license forms to include this designation alongside existing categories like "VETERAN." It directly affects Texas veterans who served in designated Special Forces positions at E5-E9, W1-W5, or O1-O10 pay grades.

Maddy summaryHB 1730 requires the University of Houston to lead a study on how perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (common in products like food packaging and firefighting gear) affect public health. The study must examine these chemicals in food and drink products, drinking water sources, and workplace materials used by firefighters and manufacturing workers. The University of Houston, working with Texas environmental agencies, must complete the study and submit a report to the legislature by December 1, 2026. The bill expires December 31, 2026, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2879 protects condo owners, tenants, and their guests from penalties like fines or eviction for using justified force (including deadly force) on residential property, as defined under Texas Penal Code Chapter 9. The bill creates an "irrebuttable presumption" that force was justified if the person was acquitted, a grand jury declined to indict, or prosecutors declined to file charges for the same incident. It applies to condominiums (via Property Code Section 82.122) and leased residential properties (via Sections 92.027 and 94.258), preventing associations or landlords from taking adverse action based on legally justified force. The law overrides any conflicting terms in property declarations or leases, regardless of when they were adopted.

Maddy summaryHB 2192 proposes to amend Texas law by adding four new authorized periods for retail fireworks sales: February 25-27, April 16-21, a week around Memorial Day (Wednesday before last Monday in May), and the Diwali holiday period. It directly affects retail fireworks permit holders, allowing them to sell to the public during these additional times if approved by a county commissioners court. The bill also specifies that sales near the Texas-Mexico border during May 1-5 remain permitted only in counties with prior approval. The proposed changes would take effect September 1, 2025, pending legislative approval.

Maddy summarySJR 37 proposes a constitutional amendment to explicitly state that non-U.S. citizens cannot vote in Texas. It amends Article VI, Section 1(a) of the Texas Constitution by adding "persons who are not citizens of the United States" as a prohibited voting class. This would clarify existing voting eligibility rules by making citizenship a constitutional requirement, directly affecting non-citizen residents. The amendment must be approved by Texas voters in the November 4, 2025, election to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 3154 creates the Wise Regional Water District to provide water and wastewater services in Wise County, Texas. It grants the district limited power to acquire private land for infrastructure (eminent domain), authority to issue bonds for funding, and the ability to charge fees to users. The bill directly affects participating governments (like cities and counties) that provide utility services within the district's boundaries, requiring them to contract with the district for infrastructure projects. The district must serve public water and wastewater needs across its defined service area, with specific rules for cost-sharing among participating entities.

Maddy summaryHB 370 amends Texas law to restrict eligibility for funding from the Events Trust Fund. It prohibits funding for events that allow biological males to compete in sports designated for female athletes. The bill defines "biological male" using official birth certificates or government records stating biological sex, requiring statements entered near birth or corrected for clerical errors. This applies only to events seeking trust fund support and does not affect biological males serving as coaches or support staff. The policy change directly affects sports events applying for state funding under the Events Trust Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 3695 limits copayments for physical therapy visits under certain health plans. It prohibits health maintenance organizations and preferred provider plans from charging enrollees a higher copayment for a physical therapist visit (without a referral) than for a primary care physician visit. The law applies to plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, and takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects Texas enrollees who use physical therapy services without needing a physician referral.