Rep. Richard Hayes

Maddy summaryHB 1506 amends Texas law to allow retired judges of constitutional or statutory county courts - who served at least 48 months - to apply for a handgun carry license. The bill specifically adds these retired judges to the existing definition of "retired judicial officer" in the Government Code. This change applies only to new license applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, with prior applications governed by previous law. It directly affects retired county court judges meeting the service requirement, expanding their eligibility for carry licenses under the new rule. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after the governor signed it on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3214 modifies Texas' master plumber license eligibility requirements by reducing the required journeyman plumber experience from four years to two years. It allows applicants to qualify with either two years of experience or one year of experience plus completion of a nationally recognized apprenticeship program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. The bill applies only to new license applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, leaving existing applications and current license holders unaffected. All other requirements - including passing exams and supervision duties - remain unchanged under the revised rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1661 requires election authorities to provide each precinct with ballots equal to 25% more than the number of voters in the last election for that precinct (capped at registered voters unless using countywide polling), aiming to prevent shortages. It creates criminal penalties for intentionally failing to meet this requirement or to promptly supplement ballots upon polling place requests, classifying these offenses as Class A misdemeanors (punishable by up to a year in jail). The bill modifies Texas Election Code sections 51.005, 51.008, 51.010, 51.011, and 61.007 to establish these specific requirements and penalties. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 1916 clarifies that the court issuing a final divorce decree retains exclusive authority to divide property not previously divided in that decree. It directly affects Texas divorcing couples whose property division was incomplete at the time of their divorce. The bill amends the Texas Family Code to require that any subsequent suit to divide such undivided property must be handled by the original divorce court, not a new court. This eliminates uncertainty about which court has jurisdiction for these cases. The law applies to all pending or future cases filed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2960 invalidates clauses in Texas construction contracts that would force disputes to be resolved under another state's law, courts, or arbitration. It requires any lawsuit related to such contracts to be filed only in the Texas county where the property is located, unless parties agree otherwise after a dispute arises. The bill applies to contracts entered into or renewed on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting construction contractors, property owners, and developers working on Texas projects. This policy change prevents parties from circumventing Texas courts for construction-related legal disputes.

Maddy summaryHB 4753 requires Texas municipalities to issue a verification document to building owners upon request, confirming the municipality has issued a certificate of occupancy for the building. This document can be used in place of the original certificate of occupancy, and municipalities cannot require owners to display the original certificate. The bill directly affects building owners seeking to prove occupancy status and municipalities that issue certificates of occupancy. It takes effect immediately upon the Governor's signature, as noted in the bill's recent actions.

Maddy summarySB 1596 amends Texas Penal Code Section 46.05(a) to explicitly prohibit the possession, manufacture, transportation, repair, or sale of short-barrel firearms without proper registration or classification as a curio/antique. The bill directly affects individuals and businesses handling such firearms, adding them to existing prohibitions alongside machine guns and explosive devices. Key provisions include defining short-barrel firearms as illegal under the law (effective September 1, 2025) and establishing limited exceptions for antique/curio items or specific organizations. The bill repeals a prior Penal Code section (46.01(10)) and clarifies that new restrictions apply only to offenses occurring on or after the effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 5093 modifies Texas public information law to require the secretary of state to disclose a notary public's home address, home phone number, and email address - previously protected under confidentiality rules. This change directly affects notaries appointed under Chapter 406 of the Texas Government Code, making this contact information publicly accessible through the secretary of state's records. The bill amends Section 552.11765 of the Government Code to remove these details from the list of exempt information, overriding prior protections for license holders. The law took effect September 1, 2025, after receiving final approval from the governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 3052 validates all prior actions taken by the Cole Ranch Improvement District No. 1 in Denton County, Texas, before the bill's effective date, except for matters already invalidated by court judgment or currently in litigation. It amends bond limits for the district, capping ad valorem tax bonds at 10% of the district's total property value and capping contract payment bonds at 10% of all districts' property value under the same contract. The bill ensures the district retains all existing powers and duties while confirming compliance with notice and procedural requirements under Texas law. It took effect immediately upon passage on June 20, 2025, directly affecting the Cole Ranch Improvement District and its property owners.

Maddy summaryHB 75 requires magistrates in Texas to provide written findings within 24 hours when they determine no probable cause exists for a criminal arrest. This applies specifically to cases involving offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025. The law aims to create a clear, documented record of the magistrate's decision in these initial proceedings. It directly affects magistrates handling pretrial detention hearings for criminal defendants.