Rep. Terry Canales

Maddy summarySB 2129 increases criminal penalties for drivers who ignore warnings at railroad grade crossings. Specifically, it raises fines for violating crossing rules from $50-$200 to $100-$400 when a driver disregards a flagger's warning. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior violations governed by older penalties. This directly affects drivers who fail to obey flagger instructions at railroad crossings, increasing the financial consequences for this specific safety violation.

Maddy summaryHB 300 increases the maximum Texas Armed Services Scholarship to $30,000 per academic year (up from $15,000), capping at the average cost of attendance at Texas colleges. It expands appointment authority, allowing the governor and lieutenant governor to each appoint two students annually, and each state senator or representative to appoint one student, with deadlines set for September 30. The bill directly affects Texas students enrolled in ROTC or similar military commissioning programs at Texas colleges, requiring proof of program enrollment or acceptance into the Texas State Guard. These changes are effective immediately after the bill was signed by the governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1545 modifies sunset review schedules for several Texas state agencies. It moves the sunset date for the Texas Department of Insurance and Office of Public Insurance Counsel from 2029 to September 1, 2027, and changes the Credit Union Department's sunset from 2035 to September 1, 2031. The bill also requires a limited-scope review of the Texas Funeral Service Commission specifically focusing on willed body programs, non-transplant anatomical donation organizations, and anatomical facilities. This legislation, signed into law by the governor on June 20, 2025, directly affects these state agencies and their regulatory oversight. The changes are effective immediately upon the governor's signature.

Maddy summarySB 2155 amends Texas law to transfer the day-to-day management of the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to the Department of Licensing and Regulation. This change directly affects veterinary professionals, facilities, and the board itself, as the department will now handle administrative duties like personnel, finances, and licensing operations. Key provisions include defining "veterinary medical facility" and requiring the department's executive director to oversee the board's operations, including budgeting, payroll, and enforcement. The bill shifts responsibility from the board's own leadership to the state department for routine management tasks. It became law on June 20, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers and receiving the governor's signature.

Maddy summaryHB 3441 creates legal liability for vaccine manufacturers who advertise a harmful vaccine within Texas. It defines "advertise" broadly to include paid promotions across media (TV, internet, influencers), but excludes doctor-patient discussions or clinic materials. If a manufacturer's advertised vaccine causes injury, victims can sue within three years for actual damages, attorney fees, and court costs. The law applies only to cases where harm occurs on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1960 designates a specific segment of State Highway 345 within San Benito as the "Lieutenant Milton Resendez Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of the highway and at appropriate intermediate locations along the route. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes or direct impact beyond naming the highway segment. The bill took effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 20 establishes Texas' Applied Sciences Pathway program, allowing high school students to earn both diplomas and industry certificates through school-college partnerships. It requires courses in 20 specific high-wage, high-growth fields like plumbing, welding, IT, and oil/gas exploration, with a focus on successful job placement rates. Partnerships must offer non-duplicative, progressive coursework leading to both diplomas and certificates in these sectors. The program begins for the 2027-2028 school year, with industries reviewed every five years to match labor market needs.

Maddy summaryHB 102 requires Texas public universities to offer early registration for courses and programs to students in military-related programs who are in good standing. Specifically, it mandates this for students enrolled in ROTC programs, cadet corps (including at senior military colleges), or maritime academies. The law, effective for the 2026 spring semester, obligates institutions to provide this early registration opportunity on the same basis as other designated student groups. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will develop rules to implement this requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 49 limits legal liability for businesses and landowners handling oil and gas waste in Texas. It shields parties who treat or reuse this waste (e.g., for drilling operations) from tort claims related to subsequent use, unless they acted with gross negligence or failed to follow environmental rules. The law specifically protects those who generate, transport, or treat waste, including surface estate owners, but does not cover cases involving intentional misconduct or negligence. Signed into law on June 20, 2025, and effective September 1, 2025, it directly affects oil and gas operators, waste treatment facilities, and landowners managing such waste.

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.