Rep. Wes Virdell

Maddy summaryHB 295 changes Texas election rules for voters who move within their county but haven't updated their registration. It allows voters to cast ballots in their current precinct immediately after submitting a statement verifying their new address and meeting residency requirements, instead of waiting 30 days for registration changes to take effect. The bill requires voters to provide the same information needed for initial registration, including their current address and a statement confirming they reside in the precinct. This applies only to address change notices submitted after the bill's effective date. The law affects voters who relocate within their county but haven't updated their registration records.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the Czech urban search-and-rescue team for assisting Texas during the July 4, 2025, Hill Country flood. The 16-member Czech team, including four search dogs, conducted coordinated recovery operations near Center Point in Kerr County under challenging conditions after the flood claimed over 100 lives. The resolution formally expresses the Texas House's gratitude through a signed copy sent to the team, recognizing their service under the Texas National Guard’s longstanding partnership with the Czech Republic. It has no binding legal effect and serves solely as a ceremonial tribute.

Maddy summaryHB 254 amends Texas law to define eligibility for grants under the Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program. It specifies that counties qualify if they have a population under 100,000, a gross domestic product below $3 billion (or $2 billion after amendment), a poverty rate exceeding 10% (or 15% after amendment), and are located in a disaster area where damages exceed 10% of the county's prior year sales tax revenue. Non-county political subdivisions also qualify if they lie entirely or partially within a qualifying county. The bill establishes clear, measurable criteria to determine which rural areas can access disaster recovery funding.

Maddy summaryHJR 10 proposes amending the Texas Constitution to change the quorum requirement for the Texas Senate or House of Representatives from two-thirds to a simple majority of members. This would allow legislative business to proceed with fewer members present, directly affecting how both chambers conduct sessions and pass legislation. The amendment must be approved by Texas voters in a May 2, 2026, election, with the ballot asking whether "a majority of the members" should constitute a quorum. If passed, this change would alter a core procedural rule governing legislative operations.

Maddy summaryHB 298 creates a rule for when Texas state legislators lose their seats due to missing sessions. If a senator or representative misses 14 unexcused floor sessions during a regular legislative session (or 3 during a special session) without majority approval from their chamber, their seat becomes vacant. This applies only to absences occurring after the bill’s effective date and does not affect existing terms. The bill directly affects legislators who fail to attend sessions without valid justification approved by their chamber’s majority.

Maddy summaryHR 58 amends the Texas House of Representatives' permanent rules to remove a restriction preventing the minority party from appointing a member as vice-chair of standing committees. It also eliminates a separate budget for the vice-chair position. These changes directly affect committee leadership structure by allowing bipartisan appointments for vice-chairs and removing dedicated funding for that role. The bill specifically revises Rule 4, Section 4A (removing the party restriction) and adds Rule 4, Section 6A(c) (ending the separate budget). This is a procedural rule change focused on internal committee operations, not a policy affecting public programs or services.

Maddy summaryHB 164 establishes the Texas Flood Recovery, Reimbursement, and Reconstruction Program to assist residents affected by the July 2025 Hill Country floods. It authorizes reimbursement for property damage and provides incentives for rebuilding above flood levels or in safer locations to reduce future risks and taxpayer costs. The Texas Division of Emergency Management must verify insurance claim denials within 15 business days and approve/reject applications within 30 days, while annually auditing 15% of program awards. The program expires September 1, 2035, unless renewed by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 291 requires Texas medical schools to ensure at least 50% of required coursework for medical degrees uses letter grades (A-F) or equivalent tiered systems for assessment. It prohibits medical schools from using standardized test scores as the sole factor in admissions decisions and mandates that schools must notify the legislature and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board before revising admission or academic standards. The bill also explicitly prohibits medical schools from considering race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in admissions or employment decisions. These provisions apply to all medical schools in Texas offering medical degrees or certificates.

Maddy summaryHB 286 requires the Texas Water Development Board to study flood risks and potential solutions in the upper Guadalupe River basin, directly affecting residents and infrastructure in that area. The study must quantify flood risks to life and property, assess mitigation projects (like dams or drainage systems), and develop hydraulic models using existing data and the July 4, 2025 weather event. The Board must gather community input, score projects based on cost-benefit analysis and feedback, and propose up to eight projects by January 2029 - with at least half identified by local entities like Kerr County and Kerrville. The bill does not fund projects but creates a framework for future flood mitigation planning.

Maddy summaryHB 287 restricts local governments (like cities or counties) from acquiring real property outside their own county boundaries for water-related projects. Specifically, it prohibits political subdivisions from using any method - such as purchase, eminent domain, or lease - to obtain land outside their county for taking or transporting water. This bill amends Texas Local Government Code Section 271.909 to clarify that such acquisitions are generally not permitted unless explicitly allowed by other laws. The bill does not create new water infrastructure but limits existing authority for cross-county land acquisition for water systems. It takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.