Rep. Terry Canales

Maddy summaryHB 1540 updates the sunset review schedules for several Texas state agencies and authorities. It sets an expiration date of September 1, 2027, for the Texas Lottery Commission, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and Department of Information Resources unless renewed through the sunset process. The Texas Ethics Commission and three river authorities (Angelina and Neches River Authority, Lower Neches Valley Authority, and Sabine River Authority) must undergo periodic reviews under the sunset process but cannot be abolished by it. The bill ensures these entities will face scheduled reviews every 12 years starting in 2027, maintaining their continued operation unless the legislature votes to terminate them.

Maddy summaryHB 1695 allows owners of commercial signs to relocate their signs when construction, infrastructure projects, or obstructions (like vegetation or directional signs) make them non-compliant with current rules. It requires municipalities to permit relocations through special exceptions to local ordinances and specifies that sign owners must cover all relocation costs without compensation. The bill also clarifies that owners retain rights to signs lawfully erected before current regulations were adopted, even if those signs no longer meet current standards. This applies to commercial sign owners and local governments managing sign regulations across Texas. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1667 expands workers' compensation coverage in Texas to include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for specific first responders. It defines "first responders" as peace officers, emergency medical personnel (EMTs/paramedics), and certified firefighters whose primary duties involve life-saving work. The bill requires that PTSD claims be based on a diagnosis linking the condition to employment-related traumatic events, not personnel actions like transfers or terminations. This policy change applies only to claims filed after the bill's effective date, creating a new pathway for affected workers to seek benefits under the state's workers' compensation system.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 77) urges the U.S. Department of State and the International Boundary and Water Commission to ensure Mexico complies with the 1944 Treaty on shared water resources from the Rio Grande. It specifically addresses Mexico's failure to deliver the treaty-mandated minimum of 350,000 acre-feet of water annually (averaged over five years), leaving a current deficit of 984,814 acre-feet. The resolution highlights that Texas communities, agriculture, and industries - relying heavily on Rio Grande water - face economic harm due to these shortfalls, including lost crops, closed facilities, and higher water costs. It does not create new law but formally requests federal action to enforce the existing treaty.

Maddy summaryHB 1696 would allow Texas residents with a valid concealed handgun license to add a visible indicator on their driver's license or commercial driver's license showing they are licensed to carry a handgun. The designation would include the handgun license number and the validity period, but only apply while the handgun license remains active. This changes how identification must be displayed when carrying a handgun, requiring either the license with the new indicator or both the standard license and separate handgun license. The bill directly affects Texans who hold concealed handgun licenses and choose to opt into this visible indicator.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 945), not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It formally honors Pope Francis following his death on April 21, 2025, recognizing his life, leadership as the first Latin American pope, and global efforts to serve the vulnerable. The resolution memorializes his legacy, including his work during Argentina's economic crisis, interfaith initiatives, and pandemic-era outreach. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group through policy changes. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to express collective remembrance.

Maddy summaryHB 3851 requires state agencies and local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) to grant public employees up to eight hours of paid leave each year to attend property tax appeals at appraisal review boards. This applies to employees who are legally entitled to challenge their property tax assessments under Texas law. The leave must not reduce their salary or count against other paid leave like vacation or sick time. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to the fiscal year beginning after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 2428 would allow Texas businesses that collect sales tax to deduct small percentages from the taxes they collect as reimbursement for processing costs. For regular sales, businesses could deduct 0.5% of the tax amount, and for credit card sales, they could deduct 2.5% (capped at $10 million per quarter). Businesses could also choose to contribute their deduction amount directly to education grants under Texas law instead of keeping it. The bill is pending in committee and would apply to tax reports due after its effective date.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill (HB 4901) requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) operating in Texas to verify users' ages and categorize them into four groups: child (<13), younger teen (13-15), older teen (16-17), and adult (18+). For minors (under 18), it mandates parental consent by linking accounts to a parent or guardian aged 18 or older. App stores must use reasonable methods to confirm age during account creation. The law directly affects app platforms and users under 18 in Texas, with no voting record available as the bill remains pending in committee.

Maddy summaryHB 5243 would prohibit SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) beneficiaries in Texas from using their benefits to purchase energy drinks, sweetened beverages, carbonated drinks, candy, potato/corn chips, and packaged cookies. The bill defines "energy drink" as containing at least 65mg caffeine per 8oz and "sweetened beverage" as any nonalcoholic drink with added sweetener. Exceptions include milk products, milk substitutes (like soy milk), unsweetened juices, infant formula, and certain fortified products containing protein or vitamins. This policy change directly affects SNAP recipients who would no longer use benefits for the listed items, while allowing coverage for specified healthier alternatives.