Rep. Cole Hefner

Maddy summarySB 2332 requires the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to solely maintain and schedule all aircraft it owns or operates. The bill mandates that DPS must base these aircraft at locations across Texas as needed and stipulates that all pilots operating DPS-owned aircraft must be DPS employees. These provisions clarify DPS's operational control over its aviation assets and eliminate external contractor use for pilot duties. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1646 creates new criminal offenses for stealing, damaging, or destroying copper or brass from critical infrastructure sites, such as power plants, water treatment facilities, and oil pipelines. It increases penalties for these crimes and requires metal recyclers to verify the legal origin of copper or brass they purchase. The law also mandates training for recyclers to identify stolen materials and defines "critical infrastructure" to include facilities like electrical substations, refineries, and wastewater plants. These changes directly affect thieves targeting infrastructure, metal recyclers, and property owners at protected sites. The bill became law on May 30, 2025, after passing both chambers and receiving the governor's signature.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution designates the cannon as Texas's official state gun, recognizing its historical significance in the state's founding and independence struggles. It highlights key events like the "Come and Take It" battle at Gonzales (1835), cannons at the Alamo (1836), and their role in Texas history. As a concurrent resolution, it has no legal effect but formally acknowledges this artifact as part of Texas heritage, with no direct impact on residents or policy.

Maddy summaryHB 4 restricts Texas public school districts and campuses from obtaining exemptions or waivers for specific requirements, including graduation standards, school accountability measures under Chapters 39 and 39A, health and safety rules, and programs for special education and bilingual students. The bill explicitly prohibits waivers for federal mandates, essential knowledge/skills, class size limits (except as allowed by law), extracurricular activities, and other key areas listed in the legislation. It also changes the appeal process for challenges to the commissioner's decisions, requiring appeals to be filed in Travis County district court with specific procedural steps. This bill directly affects school districts, the Texas Education Agency, and individuals seeking to challenge educational decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5663 allows the Wood County Central Hospital District in Texas to create a new "brain and memory health care services district" to provide specialized care for residents within its boundaries. The bill authorizes the hospital district to establish this special district through a board of seven directors appointed by the hospital board, with the new district’s boundaries matching the hospital district’s existing limits. It explicitly states that this authority does not prevent other local governments from offering similar services under Texas Constitution Article IX. The bill focuses on enabling a dedicated service structure for brain and memory care without altering existing tax or service provisions for other entities.

Maddy summaryHB 21 amends Texas Local Government Code provisions affecting housing finance corporations that develop or manage low- and moderate-income housing. It defines qualifying residential developments as those where at least 90% of units are intended for households with adjusted gross income below state-defined moderate income levels. The bill also requires these corporations to follow open meetings and public records laws (Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code) and restricts their development to areas within the boundaries of their sponsoring local governments - unless approved by those governing bodies. These changes clarify operational rules and transparency requirements for housing finance corporations serving low- and moderate-income residents.

Maddy summaryHB 796 would allow the Texas legislature to declare certain federal laws, executive orders, or agency rules unconstitutional if they infringe on state powers under the Tenth Amendment or limit Texas's ability to protect public health, safety, or welfare. The bill creates a process where the legislature could pass a concurrent resolution to declare a federal directive unconstitutional and then prohibit state and local government employees from enforcing it. This would directly affect most state and local officials, including county, city, school district, and charter school employees, but exclude the lieutenant governor, legislators, and their staff. The bill does not create new penalties but establishes a formal legislative mechanism to block state enforcement of federal actions deemed unconstitutional by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 3225 requires municipal public libraries in Texas to restrict minors (under 18) from accessing sexually explicit materials in sections designated for younger audiences. Libraries must remove such materials from "minor's sections" and obtain legal guardian consent before allowing minors to check out or view these materials. The bill imposes civil penalties for violations, including fines. It directly affects municipal public libraries, minors, and their guardians by changing how libraries manage content access in designated youth areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Texas judges to deny bail to individuals classified as "illegal aliens" charged with felony offenses, if a judge determines probable cause exists. It defines "illegal alien" as someone who entered the U.S. without inspection or violated nonimmigrant visa terms. The amendment would automatically deny bail pending trial for such individuals, without requiring additional proof of flight risk or danger. If approved by voters in 2025, it would become part of the Texas Constitution. (Note: This is a procedural proposal requiring voter approval, not an immediate law.)

Maddy summarySB 1080 requires Texas licensing authorities to issue either a full occupational license or a provisional license (valid for six months) to otherwise qualified applicants who have been convicted of certain offenses, instead of automatically denying their applications. The provisional license begins on the date an applicant is released from prison if they were incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. This bill directly affects individuals with criminal convictions seeking occupational licenses (such as for nursing, contracting, or other licensed professions) who meet all other qualification requirements. It aims to reduce barriers to employment by providing a temporary licensing pathway for these applicants.