Rep. Sheryl Cole

Maddy summaryHB 1858 modifies Texas early voting hours for in-person voting, primarily affecting voters in statewide and county elections. It requires the last Saturday of early voting to include at least 12 consecutive hours (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and the last Sunday to include at least six consecutive hours (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.), with voting not permitted before 6 a.m. or after 10 p.m. on Saturdays, or before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on Sundays. The bill also mandates that counties must schedule weekend voting if requested by at least 15 registered voters, and adjusts the start date for May elections to begin 12 days before election day instead of 17 days. These changes apply to all elections where a county clerk serves as the early voting clerk.

Maddy summaryHB 1857 modifies Texas' early voting schedule by changing when early voting begins. The bill amends Election Code Section 85.001(a) to set the early voting period start date as the first business day after the last day voter registration becomes effective for an election, replacing the previous fixed 17th-day rule. This change directly affects all Texas voters participating in early in-person voting for elections. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and adjusts the timing of early voting to align more closely with voter registration deadlines.

Maddy summaryHB 1856 modifies Texas election procedures to clarify how voters can return mail-in ballots. It requires counties to post election notices online or at public bulletin boards, including specific polling place locations, 21 days before elections. The bill also adds new provisions allowing voters to return marked ballots in person at designated locations - such as early voting sites, county clerk offices, or other approved spots - during early voting or election day. This directly affects voters who cast mail ballots and election officials responsible for ballot processing. The changes aim to standardize ballot return methods while maintaining existing mail and carrier options.

Maddy summaryHB 1854 sets a 10th-day deadline after an election for early voting ballot boards to verify and count provisional ballots and determine whether to accept mail ballots. It also requires boards to send written rejection notices to voters (via mail or email if the ballot was sent electronically) by the same 10th-day deadline. The bill directly affects voters who submit mail-in or provisional ballots and the early voting ballot boards processing these ballots. These changes to Texas Election Code sections take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1855 allows eligible voters who are not currently registered to register and vote on election day at their polling place. It requires voters to submit a registration form and present specific ID (like a photo ID with current address or a combination of other documents) to be accepted for voting. Voters using this process must be processed separately from those voting under regular procedures. The bill applies to early voting by personal appearance and general election day voting, effective for elections starting February 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1859 amends Texas law to require production companies applying for state grants supporting the moving image industry (film, TV, and video production) to certify they will follow office-approved firearm safety guidelines for their projects. This requirement applies specifically to companies seeking grants under existing incentive programs. The bill adds this certification condition to the grant application process but does not create new funding or change other grant terms. It takes effect September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects film and television production companies seeking state financial incentives.

Maddy summaryHB 1860 requires landlords of apartment buildings with online rent payment portals to disclose to tenants how much of their monthly rent covers property taxes. Specifically, landlords must publish the total annual property taxes for the building and each tenant’s individual rent percentage attributable to those taxes on the online portal. This applies only to multiunit complexes using such portals and takes effect January 1, 2026. The bill directly affects landlords who manage these properties and their tenants, providing transparency about rent composition without altering tax rates or rent amounts.

Maddy summaryHB 1861 requires Texas state agencies to establish clear minimum job requirements for vacant positions before hiring, including specifying necessary direct experience (previous work in a similar role) or required certifications, and allows work experience to substitute for a college degree. This bill directly affects all Texas state agencies and job applicants for state positions filled on or after September 1, 2025. Agencies must document these requirements for each new vacancy they seek to fill after the effective date. Current job applications submitted before that date remain governed by existing hiring rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1779 prohibits local governments from imposing specific restrictions on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are secondary housing units on single-family or duplex lots. The bill bans requirements such as parking mandates, setbacks larger than five feet, impact fees for ADUs under 800 square feet, and size limits below 800 square feet or 50% of the main home. This directly affects property owners seeking to build or rent ADUs and local governments that create zoning rules. The law removes these common regulatory barriers without mandating new construction.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (not a substantive bill) honoring Peter Winstead, a former Austin attorney and civic leader who died on August 7, 2024. The Texas House of Representatives adopted the resolution to pay tribute to his life, career, and community contributions, including his role as a founding partner of Winstead PC law firm and his service on the Texas Turnpike Authority. The resolution extends condolences to his family and directs that an official copy be provided to them. It was formally adopted by the House on March 13, 2025.