Rep. Brad Buckley

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 summaryHB 123 amends Texas Education Code Section 12.104(b) to require open-enrollment charter schools to comply with existing state standards for early literacy, numeracy, and kindergarten readiness. Specifically, it mandates that charter schools follow established requirements related to reading/math assessments (Sections 28.006, 28.0063, 28.0064), accelerated instruction (Section 28.0211), and prekindergarten programs (Chapter 29). The bill directly affects charter schools by extending these K-3 educational standards to their operations, ensuring alignment with public school accountability measures. It does not create new funding but clarifies that charter schools must implement existing state-mandated early learning frameworks.

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 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 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 summaryTexas Senate Bill 735 requires public school districts and charter schools to report annually on Holocaust Remembrance Week instruction, including lesson materials and activities, by June 1 each year. It creates a grant program to fund school districts and Holocaust museums for developing age-appropriate lesson plans, student field trips, educator training, and bilingual curricula. The bill also mandates regional education centers to collaborate with Holocaust museums for educator training and establishes a four-year pilot program at colleges to train future educators in Holocaust history and remembrance. These provisions directly affect public school students, educators, school districts, and Holocaust museums across Texas.

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.

Maddy summaryHR 1139 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating Mike Quinn on his retirement as executive director of administrative services for Killeen Independent School District (Killeen ISD). It recognizes his 30-year career with the district, beginning as a high school teacher in 1995, progressing through leadership roles including principal, and serving as executive director since 2024. The resolution formally expresses the Texas House of Representatives' appreciation for his service and extends "sincere best wishes" for his retirement. This is a non-binding, commemorative resolution with no policy impact or direct effect on any constituents.

Maddy summarySB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia causes, prevention, and treatment. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and research groups to expand dementia-related studies and create jobs. It establishes three committees to oversee funding and research priorities, with the program set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless renewed under Texas law. The bill directly affects Texas research institutions receiving grants and aims to improve dementia health outcomes for state residents. This legislation became law after being signed by the Governor on May 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1399 creates a property tax exemption for animal feed held by owners for retail sale in Texas. It directly affects agricultural retailers and feed suppliers who currently pay ad valorem (property) taxes on inventory. The bill exempts this inventory from property tax if it's already exempt from sales/use taxes under existing law. The exemption applies only to tax years starting January 1, 2026, but only if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in the November 2025 election. If the amendment fails, the bill has no effect.