Rep. Brad Buckley

Maddy summaryHB 2066 allows eligible individuals to have arrest records expunged for unlawful handgun carrying offenses committed before September 1, 2021. It specifically applies to people convicted or placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for violating Section 46.02(a) of the Penal Code as it existed prior to that date. The bill amends Texas law to require expungement of all related arrest records once a person completes their supervision term, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects individuals with pre-2021 cases involving handgun possession charges under the old legal standard.

Maddy summaryHB 2626 creates the Central Texas Water Alliance, a regional water authority designed to manage water resources across Central Texas. It directly affects local governments (like cities and counties) and private entities within the alliance's territory by granting the Alliance three key powers: the authority to issue bonds for water projects, the power of eminent domain to acquire land for infrastructure, and the ability to impose fees for water services. The bill defines "water" broadly to include groundwater, surface water, and treated wastewater, and establishes the Alliance's territory based on sponsor areas and service boundaries. This legislation provides a legal framework for coordinated water management under Texas Constitution Section 59.

Maddy summaryHB 2337 establishes a process for Texas to accept concurrent jurisdiction with the U.S. government over military installations for specific legal matters. The bill allows the governor to formally agree to share authority - such as for juvenile delinquency cases involving status offenses - over land owned by the U.S. military in Texas, provided applications include detailed land descriptions and specify the subject matter. It requires written applications from federal representatives and mandates the governor to document accepted terms, including whether future land acquisitions will be included. This bill directly affects Texas state agencies and military installations by creating a structured pathway for shared legal authority without altering existing federal jurisdiction. The law takes effect once the governor files the necessary documents with the secretary of state.

Maddy summaryHB 2249 establishes the Texas Teacher Recruitment Scholarship Program to support future educators. It provides up to $40,000 in annual scholarships ($10,000 per year for four years) to eligible Texas college students enrolled in teacher preparation programs at public or private Texas institutions. To qualify, students must be nominated by their university, agree to complete teacher certification, graduate within five years, and commit to teaching for four years in a Texas public school or charter school. The program limits new scholarships to 2% of Texas's current teacher workforce annually and allows unused funds to repay student loans if recipients earn degrees early. This directly affects prospective teachers seeking financial support for education and requiring service in Texas schools.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) unwelcome at the Texas Capitol. It directly affects CAIR's access to state legislative facilities based on the resolution's stated reasons. The resolution cites alleged ties between CAIR and terrorist organizations (including Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood), FBI actions suspending contacts with CAIR, and specific legal cases involving CAIR associates convicted of terrorism-related offenses. The policy change is purely symbolic, establishing a formal statement of inaccessibility for CAIR at the Capitol without creating new legal requirements.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 945), not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It formally honors Pope Francis following his death on April 21, 2025, recognizing his life, leadership as the first Latin American pope, and global efforts to serve the vulnerable. The resolution memorializes his legacy, including his work during Argentina's economic crisis, interfaith initiatives, and pandemic-era outreach. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group through policy changes. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to express collective remembrance.

Maddy summaryHB 307 updates Texas law to increase credit toward fines and costs for misdemeanor defendants who cannot pay immediately. It raises the daily credit rate from $100 to $150 for work in county jail programs, confinement, or community service (8 hours = $150 credit). Defendants can apply this earned credit toward their remaining fine balance instead of paying the full amount. This directly affects low-income misdemeanor offenders facing financial barriers to court-ordered payments.

Maddy summaryHB 222 clarifies how Texas public school districts must use funds allocated for school safety under the Foundation School Program. It specifies that these funds can be used for: securing school facilities (like infrastructure upgrades and non-razor-wire fencing), employing security personnel (including school resource officers), implementing safety training and mental health programs (such as counselors, threat reporting systems, and restorative practices), and suicide prevention initiatives. The bill directly affects all Texas public school districts receiving these state safety allotments. It passed the Texas House on April 17, 2025, and is now pending further action.

Maddy summaryHB 2666 reclassifies arson involving a government building as a first-degree felony (instead of second-degree) under Texas law. This change applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and increases penalties for intentionally damaging government buildings through fire. The bill specifically targets cases where the property damaged was a government building, habitation, or place of assembly/worship, with the government building provision being the focus of this amendment. It does not alter penalties for arson against other property types or for cases occurring before the effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 2684 requires health care providers to inform pregnant women diagnosed with a life-threatening condition in their preborn child about available perinatal palliative care options. The bill mandates the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to create and maintain online informational materials describing palliative care services and a geographically indexed list of providers (excluding abortion providers). It directly affects pregnant women facing such diagnoses and their health care providers. The law aims to ensure access to supportive care focused on reducing suffering for both the pregnant woman and her preborn child. The bill also establishes an administrative penalty for noncompliance, though specific penalty details are not provided in the truncated text.