Rep. Cole Hefner

Maddy summarySB 1422 designates a specific bridge on Farm-to-Market Road 852 crossing Lake Gilmer in Upshur County as the "Petty Officer Billy Machen Memorial Bridge." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at each end of the bridge indicating this designation. This is a commemorative resolution with no substantive policy changes or direct impact on residents, programs, or funding - only renaming a physical structure in honor of Petty Officer Billy Machen.

Maddy summarySB 1236 requires health benefit plan issuers and pharmacy benefit managers in Texas to stop denying or reducing claim payments to pharmacists or pharmacies after a claim has been processed. It limits recoupments (recovery of overpayments) only to cases of fraud, duplicate payments, or specific errors (like wrong drug/dosage), and prohibits recouping dispensing fees for simple clerical mistakes. The bill also mandates that issuers provide pharmacists with secure online access to all pharmacy benefit network contracts, including any updates. These changes directly affect pharmacists, pharmacies, and health plans by clarifying payment rules and improving transparency in contract terms. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 40 is a Texas legislative resolution urging Congress to reimburse the state for border security costs incurred under Operation Lone Star. It states Texas has spent billions since 2021 on this initiative - including surveillance, law enforcement support, and managing migration - resulting in over 516,000 apprehensions and 45,300 arrests. The resolution formally requests Congress assume responsibility for border security costs, directing Texas officials to send copies to the U.S. President and congressional leaders. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create law but serves as a formal request to federal lawmakers.

Maddy summarySB 3073 requires magistrates in Texas to provide written findings within 24 hours when determining no probable cause exists for a criminal arrest. This affects individuals arrested for crimes and the magistrates reviewing their cases. The bill mandates that magistrates document their reasons for finding no probable cause in the official record. It applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior cases governed by existing law. The change aims to increase transparency in early criminal proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 781 creates confidential "department files" for law enforcement employees who hold licenses. These files must include internal documents about alleged misconduct where there's insufficient evidence to prove wrongdoing, excluding standard personnel records. The bill restricts access: agencies can share files only with the licensing commission during investigations or when hiring new license holders, and prohibits disclosure to the public or other agencies under Texas' public information law. It directly affects Texas law enforcement agencies and their licensed employees by making these records private, not subject to public disclosure. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 186 prohibits children under 18 from using social media platforms in Texas, subject to federal law. The bill defines "social media platform" to exclude email, internet service providers, news websites, and interactive gaming platforms. Social media platforms must verify users are 18 or older before account creation using a reasonable method relying on public or private data, then delete all verification information immediately. This law directly affects children under 18 and social media companies operating in Texas.

Maddy summarySJR 84 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the Texas legislature to create a temporary property tax exemption for homeowners whose residence improvements (like additions or renovations) are completely destroyed by fire. If approved by voters in November 2025, this amendment would authorize future laws to exempt the appraised value of those destroyed improvements from annual property taxes for a specified period. The exemption duration and eligibility rules would be determined by the legislature through separate bills. This directly affects homeowners in Texas who suffer fire damage to their home improvements, providing potential tax relief during rebuilding.

Maddy summarySB 455 requires that surplus lines insurance contracts (for risks wholly located in Texas) include arbitration agreements conducted in Texas under Texas law, unless both insurer and policyholder agree to change the venue after the insurer provides written notice and a premium credit for added costs. This applies to new or renewed contracts on or after January 1, 2026, affecting insurers and policyholders purchasing specialized insurance for high-risk properties in Texas. The bill ensures arbitration venues and legal interpretations remain tied to Texas, preventing out-of-state arbitration without financial compensation to policyholders. It becomes effective September 1, 2025, but the new rules apply to contracts delivered after 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1612 exempts certain construction funds from trust account requirements. It specifically removes the trust fund status for money reserved under Section 53.101 when used for building or repairing single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, or quadruplexes (up to four units) for residential use. This change directly affects residential contractors and homeowners by simplifying financial handling for smaller housing projects. The bill applies only to contracts signed on or after September 1, 2025, and adds provisions for attorney fees if beneficiaries win trust fund disputes.

Maddy summaryHB 23 allows applicants for property development permits and landowners to hire qualified third parties to review plans or inspect improvements if local government agencies miss 15-day deadlines for approvals or inspections. It requires these third parties to be licensed engineers, International Code Council-certified inspectors, or employees of other government agencies approved for the role. The bill mandates that third-party reviews and inspections follow the same standards as the local agency and must be reported to the agency within 15 days of completion. This directly affects developers, property owners, and local government agencies handling land development approvals in Texas.