Rep. Richard Raymond

Maddy summaryHB 3531 allows motor vehicle applicants in Texas to voluntarily disclose their military service status when registering or renewing vehicle registration. It directly affects military members who choose to share this information during the registration process. If disclosed, the Department of Motor Vehicles must include the military status in the vehicle's registration records and in any released records or reports related to that vehicle. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not create new requirements or benefits for military members.

Maddy summaryHB 2275 requires that surplus lines insurance contracts (specialized policies for high-risk or hard-to-place coverage) containing arbitration agreements must specify that any arbitration occurs in Texas and follows Texas law. It mandates that both the arbitration process and contract interpretation be governed by Texas statutes, applying only to contracts delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. Existing contracts before that date remain subject to prior law. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects insurers writing surplus lines policies in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 129 prohibits Texas state and local government entities from entering contracts with companies designated as "foreign adversary companies" (those tied to countries like China, Russia, or Iran) or "federally banned companies" (listed on federal sanctions lists). The bill defines these companies based on U.S. federal designations, including entities restricted under federal defense laws or sanctions. Violating this prohibition could result in civil penalties imposed by the state. The law directly affects Texas government agencies and contractors working with them, aiming to align state procurement with federal security policies.

Maddy summaryHB 3896 allows water supply and sewer service corporations operating within Texas' ERCOT electricity grid to register as power generators and sell electricity. The bill permits these entities to use revenue from electricity sales solely to cover their own power production costs (like staff, equipment, and maintenance) or for purposes specified under existing Water Code provisions. It requires strict accounting for this revenue to comply with current financial rules. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryTexas House Bill 1544 requires the state treasurer to annually calculate Texas' border security spending from the previous biennium, prepare an invoice for reimbursement from the federal government, and submit it within 30 days of each biennium's start. The bill mandates that invoices must be due 6-8 months after submission, with payments deposited into the general revenue fund if paid on time. If unpaid, the attorney general can sue the federal agency for the amount certified by the treasurer. The bill includes a temporary $20 billion cap on recoverable costs for the 2021-2025 period and expires in 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1181 amends Texas law to allow the chief justice of the Supreme Court to assign retired or former justices and judges to active appellate courts without requiring a vacancy. To qualify, individuals must have served at least 72 months (with 48 in appellate court), certify no judicial misconduct history, complete annual education requirements, and agree to recusal from cases involving former clients or attorney work in their assigned court for two years. The bill directly affects retired judges who meet these criteria, enabling them to fill temporary judicial roles. This policy change aims to address judicial staffing needs while maintaining ethical safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 1169 requires the Railroad Commission of Texas to develop a comprehensive plan protecting the state's oil and gas infrastructure - including pipelines and wellheads - from natural disasters, severe weather, cyberattacks, terrorism, power outages, and other threats. The plan must be updated periodically and adopted by September 1, 2026. It directly affects Texas's oil and gas infrastructure by mandating specific protective measures for critical systems. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, with the commission allowed to seek input from stakeholders during development.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas licensing authorities to issue provisional occupational licenses for six months to applicants with criminal convictions who are otherwise qualified for the license, unless they have specific serious convictions listed in the Occupations Code. The provisional license begins upon the applicant's release from incarceration if they were imprisoned. It applies to most occupational licensing fields (like healthcare or trades) but excludes applicants convicted of offenses under Section 53.021(a). The bill provides a pathway for certain applicants to obtain licenses without full revocation of eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 5144 aims to prohibit deceptive trade practices by businesses that assist veterans with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims. The bill targets companies that charge fees or provide services related to VA benefits applications, seeking to prevent misleading tactics like false promises of guaranteed approval. However, the full bill text is unavailable in the provided context, so specific provisions, affected parties, or enforcement mechanisms cannot be detailed. Without access to the complete legislative language, a precise summary of how the law would operate or who it directly impacts is not possible. Please consult the bill's PDF version for the full text and detailed provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1173 amends Texas law to increase the population threshold for municipalities eligible to administer the state's homeless housing and services program. The bill raises the requirement from 250,000 to 285,500 residents, meaning only cities meeting this higher population standard can operate the program. This change directly affects cities with populations between 250,000 and 285,500, excluding them from administering the program. The bill modifies Section 2306.2585(a) of the Government Code and takes effect September 1, 2025.