Rep. Wes Virdell

Maddy summaryHB 1958 requires Texas restaurants serving shrimp caught outside Texas state waters (defined as shrimp caught beyond the state's submerged lands in the Gulf of Mexico) to inform customers about the shrimp's origin. Restaurants must either post a visible notice in the dining area or include the notice on their menu. The requirement does not take effect until March 1, 2026, though the law becomes effective September 1, 2025. The Texas Health and Safety Code will be amended to include this rule, with the executive commissioner tasked to develop implementing regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2458 adds a new defense for people accused of aggravated assault in Texas. It allows a defendant to claim they threatened to use a deadly weapon if two conditions were met: the threat would have been justified under self-defense law (Chapter 9 of the Penal Code), and they reasonably believed the threat was immediately necessary to defend against another person’s unlawful force or deadly force. This defense only applies to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025. The bill modifies Texas law to clarify when threatening to use a weapon can be part of a valid self-defense claim in aggravated assault cases.

Maddy summaryHB 3637 allows Texas counties to create property tax exemptions for the portion of a home’s value tied to qualifying water conservation systems, such as rainwater harvesting or graywater systems. Homeowners who install these systems would see reduced property taxes, with the exemption applying to all taxing entities (like cities, school districts, and counties) that collect taxes on the property. The county commissioners court must adopt the exemption via order, and it would only take effect for tax years starting January 1, 2026, if voters approve a related constitutional amendment. This policy directly affects property owners installing eligible systems and the taxing units collecting taxes on those properties.

Maddy summaryHB 170 creates civil immunity for individuals who use or threaten to use force or deadly force that is justified under Texas Penal Code Chapter 9 (e.g., self-defense or defense of others). It protects such individuals from civil lawsuits seeking damages for personal injury or death resulting from their justified actions. The bill also requires courts to award defendants who win immunity claims reasonable attorney fees, court costs, and related expenses. It repeals Section 9.06 of the Penal Code and applies only to cases occurring on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3507 amends Texas Penal Code Section 31.03 to reclassify theft offenses based on the property's value and specific circumstances, directly affecting anyone committing theft in Texas. It establishes tiered penalties: Class C misdemeanor for theft under $100, Class B misdemeanor for $100-$750 (or prior theft convictions), Class A misdemeanor for $750-$2,500, state jail felony for $2,500-$30,000 (or theft of firearms, driver's licenses, catalytic converters, or ballots), and third-degree felony for $30,000+ or repeated thefts. Key provisions include stricter penalties for theft of specific items like catalytic converters (valued under $30,000), firearms, or election materials, and higher penalties for repeat offenders. The bill changes sentencing outcomes without altering the definition of theft itself.

Maddy summaryHB 3253 creates a state grant program to help rural counties pay constable salaries. It provides counties with $75,000-$150,000 per constable precinct annually, depending on county population, to cover minimum salary requirements. Counties must contribute 75% of the required salary amount (e.g., $65,000 for constables, $45,000 for deputies making traffic stops), and grant funds can only be used for salaries, hiring staff, or purchasing equipment - not other expenses. The comptroller will establish application rules, deadlines, and monitoring procedures to ensure compliance. This directly affects rural counties with constable offices serving populations under 300,000.

Maddy summaryHJR 98 is a Texas legislative resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It seeks to propose amendments that would impose spending limits on the federal government, reduce federal power over states, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. Texas formally applies to Congress to initiate this process, with the resolution intended as a continuing application until at least 34 states (two-thirds) support the same purpose. This is a procedural request - Texas has no authority to create new laws, but aims to join other states in advancing this constitutional mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 2587 requires Texas hospitals to report costs of providing care to patients without legal immigration status. Hospitals must ask about immigration status during intake (without affecting care) and submit quarterly data on costs and financial impact to a state agency. The agency then compiles an annual report for lawmakers by November 1, detailing total costs and how these expenses affected hospitals. This applies to all Texas hospitals serving patients who were not lawfully present at the time of care, focusing on transparency about uncompensated care expenses.

Maddy summaryHB 2031 prevents landlords from banning tenants from lawfully possessing firearms in specific areas of rental properties. It allows tenants to keep firearms in their rental units, vehicles parked in landlord-provided lots, and areas needed to access their unit or premises. Landlords who violate this law face civil penalties: $1,000-$1,500 for a first offense and $10,000-$10,500 for repeat violations. Tenants must first give landlords written notice of the violation and allow 3 business days to fix it before reporting to the attorney general. The collected penalties fund crime victim compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 2239 amends Texas Penal Code Section 46.03 to create a new exception for "location-restricted knives," meaning these knives would not be considered illegal weapons under specific subsections (a)(7) or (13) when carried in certain locations. The bill does not change where knives are prohibited but modifies how certain knives are treated under existing law for offenses involving restricted locations. It takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to offenses committed on or after that date. This is a procedural change to the Penal Code, not a new prohibition.