Rep. Richard Raymond

Maddy summaryHB 4331 requires the Texas Water Development Board to study ways to streamline the state environmental review process for flood control and drainage projects seeking financial assistance from the flood infrastructure fund (under Water Code Chapter 15). The study must be completed by January 1, 2027, and the Board must then implement new internal procedures based on the findings. This directly affects flood infrastructure projects eligible for state funding, aiming to reduce delays in environmental reviews. The bill expires September 1, 2027, and takes effect in 2025 if passed with a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summaryHB 4329 requires the Texas Water Development Board to study factors affecting the costs of developing drainage infrastructure across Texas, with a report due by January 1, 2027. The study must identify cost drivers like location, materials, and project scale, then compare regional cost differences. The Board must submit a written report to the legislature based on this analysis. The bill expires September 1, 2027, and does not allocate funding or mandate specific infrastructure projects.

Maddy summaryHB 74 creates the Puerto Verde Port Authority District in Maverick County, Texas, as a special district to advance economic development in the area. The bill grants the district authority to issue bonds for infrastructure, impose fees and taxes on properties within the district, and acquire private property through limited eminent domain for port-related projects. It directly affects property owners and businesses in the designated district area by enabling the district to fund and develop port facilities, transportation infrastructure, and economic initiatives. The legislation aims to promote job growth, commerce, and community development in Maverick County under Texas Constitution provisions for special districts.

Maddy summaryHB 4023 exempts certain reserve peace officers from Texas's private security licensing requirements when performing guard, patrol, or watch duties for local agencies or counties. It specifically applies to reserve officers in counties with populations between 250,000-650,000 located on an international border, provided their agency approves and they are compensated solely by that agency. The bill removes the need for these officers to hold a private security license for these duties, streamlining their ability to work in security roles while maintaining their reserve law enforcement status. This change takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3717 establishes a Texas grant program to fund private entities conducting U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug development trials using ibogaine. The program targets organizations (for-profit, nonprofit, or public benefit corporations) that can design and execute FDA trials to seek approval of ibogaine as a medication for treating opioid use disorder, co-occurring substance use disorder, and other neurological or mental health conditions where ibogaine shows effectiveness. Applicants must submit detailed trial designs, team expertise, and FDA approval strategies. The grant covers costs for these trials, aiming to advance ibogaine's potential approval as a treatment option.

Maddy summaryHJR 138 proposes amending the Texas Constitution to prohibit the state legislature from imposing taxes based on the carbon content of fuels or emissions of carbon dioxide from goods and services. If approved by voters, it would prevent Texas from enacting any carbon tax policy. The bill failed to pass the Texas Legislature on May 12, 2025, so it did not advance to a voter referendum. This would have directly affected all Texans by blocking a potential state-level carbon tax mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 3371 allows Texas to seek federal reimbursement for state border security costs incurred during specific budget periods. It requires the governor to submit applications requesting $4.72 billion for the 2023 biennium and $6.54 billion for the 2025 biennium, with the attorney general authorized to sue the federal government if payments are delayed. Any recovered funds would be deposited into the state's general revenue fund. The bill expires August 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1968 requires county elections administrators to enter binding contracts with political subdivisions (like cities or towns) that request election services for May elections held on the first Saturday in even-numbered years. The bill mandates that contracts be based on mutually agreed cost schedules, removing a previous exception (Section 41.001(d)) that allowed counties to decline such contracts. This change directly affects counties and local governments managing these specific May elections, ensuring they must formalize service agreements. The law applies only to elections occurring on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1674 would ban the production, sale, and use of certain agricultural products containing PFAS chemicals (like pesticides or crop protectants). It directly affects agricultural businesses, manufacturers, and sellers of these products. The bill creates criminal penalties for violations, treating unauthorized PFAS use as a punishable offense. The bill is currently pending in the Environmental Regulation committee after committee hearings. (Note: Full bill text is not yet available; this summary is based on the title and pending status.)

Maddy summaryHB 2811 changes the date when Texas presidential electors must meet from the first Tuesday to the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December. This procedural bill directly affects Texas's presidential electors by adjusting their meeting schedule under state election law. The amendment modifies Section 192.006(a) of the Election Code to specify the new Monday meeting date, while keeping the underlying December timeframe unchanged. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not alter voting procedures or voter eligibility.