Rep. Terry Canales

Maddy summaryHB 24 establishes new procedures for Texas municipalities to adjust zoning regulations or district boundaries. It requires a public hearing with 15 days' notice published in a newspaper and online before any zoning change takes effect. For changes that do not allow more residential development (non-comprehensive changes), property owners can protest by signing a written protest if they own 20% of the affected area or 60% of adjacent land within 200 feet. The bill, effective September 1, 2025, applies to all Texas cities and aims to balance development decisions with community input.

Maddy summaryHB 4429 designates a specific segment of U.S. Highway 281 in Blanco and Burnet Counties - between State Highway 71 and Ranch Road 962 - as the Muckleroy Family Memorial Highway. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of the designated segment and at appropriate intermediate locations along the highway. This is a commemorative designation with no new policy or funding requirements; it solely names the highway segment for recognition. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after receiving gubernatorial approval.

Maddy summarySB 2405 amends Texas Education Code sections governing the Windham School District, which provides education to incarcerated individuals. It requires the district to develop career-focused educational programs (including vocational training) that address barriers to certification/licensure for those with felony convictions, and to prioritize programs leading to certification. The bill mandates tracking specific outcomes for participants, such as employment rates, earnings, job retention, and whether employment relates to their training. It also requires informing inmates before enrollment about state agency certification barriers, historical success rates for certification, and appeal processes. These changes directly affect incarcerated individuals participating in Windham School District programs across Texas prisons.

Maddy summaryHB 2733 amends Texas Penal Code sections to clarify and strengthen penalties for prohibited solicitation by licensed professionals. It directly affects attorneys, chiropractors, physicians, surgeons, and private investigators who solicit clients through deceptive or unsolicited means. Key provisions prohibit: (1) soliciting legal work via social media or electronic messages if misleading, (2) paying family members to solicit clients, and (3) contacting accident victims within 31 days of an incident without their prior legal representation. The law also restricts unsolicited communications about ongoing lawsuits or personal injury cases, requiring licensed professionals to avoid contacting individuals represented by other attorneys.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 1530), not a substantive bill. It formally commemorates the 2025 Harvest Christian Academy BBQ Cook Off event in Edinburg (scheduled for September 26-27, 2025), which is sanctioned by the Champions Barbecue Alliance. The resolution extends the Texas House's "sincere best wishes" for the event's success, noting it benefits Harvest Christian Academy and the Champion Sports League (serving local youth) through proceeds. As a symbolic gesture, it has no policy impact or binding effect.

Maddy summaryHCR 59 is a ceremonial resolution designating April as "Promise Month" in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it is solely a symbolic recognition intended to honor religious and historical perspectives on promises. The resolution references biblical principles and the founding of the U.S. on "Biblical principles," but the designation itself has no legal or policy impact on residents or state operations. This is a procedural, commemorative resolution with no concrete policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 480 allows local governments (like cities and counties) to form formal partnerships with other local governments, the state, or the federal government to jointly conduct water research or planning projects. The bill directly affects local governments seeking to collaborate on water resource management, such as watershed studies or drought planning. Its key provision adds a new section to the Government Code enabling these interlocal contracts without requiring additional legislative approval. This policy change simplifies collaboration but does not fund projects or alter existing water rights. The bill became effective immediately upon the governor's signature on May 28, 2025.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 296 allows eligible defendants charged with certain traffic offenses to avoid criminal conviction by completing an approved driving safety or motorcycle operator training course instead of facing penalties. It applies to Texas drivers, military members, or their spouses/dependents who haven’t completed such a course in the past 12 months, excluding severe speeding violations (e.g., 95+ mph or 25+ mph over the limit). Defendants must request the course by their court appearance date, pay a maximum $10 administrative fee, and provide proof of financial responsibility. Successful completion results in charge dismissal, with the court reporting completion to the Department of Public Safety. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2675 amends Texas law to allow specific municipalities to transfer park land without following standard conveyance procedures under certain conditions. It directly affects cities with populations of at least 140,000 located in counties meeting three criteria: county population ≥800,000, bordering an international border, and containing no municipality with >500,000 residents. The bill permits transfers of park land within one mile of a municipal convention facility, provided the transfer is authorized by local resolution. The key mechanism establishes these three specific conditions as exceptions to existing land transfer rules. This procedural bill creates a streamlined process for designated municipalities to convey park land for development near convention facilities.

Maddy summarySB 1365 creates a new 24-month vehicle registration period for new passenger cars and light trucks meeting specific criteria. It directly affects owners purchasing new vehicles sold in Texas that have never been registered elsewhere and are from the current or previous model year. The bill requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to base registration periods on the vehicle's sale date, replacing the standard annual registration for these new vehicles. This change aims to simplify registration for new vehicle owners while maintaining existing requirements for vehicle safety inspections.