Rep. Richard Hayes

Maddy summaryHB 496 would add a "None of the Above" option to Texas ballots for both candidate races and propositions. Voters could select this option instead of voting for any candidate or measure, though such votes would not count toward determining election winners. The bill requires the Secretary of State to design the ballot format for this option and amends election code sections to include it in ballot instructions and layout. This is a procedural change to ballot design, not a policy affecting specific groups or outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill (HB 4901) requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) operating in Texas to verify users' ages and categorize them into four groups: child (<13), younger teen (13-15), older teen (16-17), and adult (18+). For minors (under 18), it mandates parental consent by linking accounts to a parent or guardian aged 18 or older. App stores must use reasonable methods to confirm age during account creation. The law directly affects app platforms and users under 18 in Texas, with no voting record available as the bill remains pending in committee.

Maddy summaryHB 5243 would prohibit SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) beneficiaries in Texas from using their benefits to purchase energy drinks, sweetened beverages, carbonated drinks, candy, potato/corn chips, and packaged cookies. The bill defines "energy drink" as containing at least 65mg caffeine per 8oz and "sweetened beverage" as any nonalcoholic drink with added sweetener. Exceptions include milk products, milk substitutes (like soy milk), unsweetened juices, infant formula, and certain fortified products containing protein or vitamins. This policy change directly affects SNAP recipients who would no longer use benefits for the listed items, while allowing coverage for specified healthier alternatives.

Maddy summaryHB 5042 prevents Texas cities and counties from creating local regulations that conflict with specific state health and safety laws, including those governing wildlife. It adds elephants to the state’s official definition of "dangerous wild animal" under the Health and Safety Code (Section 1.006), which now explicitly lists elephants as a species requiring state-level regulation. This means local ordinances about elephant ownership or handling would be invalid if they contradict state law. The bill applies only to legal claims arising after its September 2025 effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 2771 restricts firearm possession for people convicted of certain felony offenses listed in Texas law. It prohibits them from possessing a firearm for five years after release from prison or supervision (whichever is later), and after that period, they may only possess firearms at their residence. The bill applies to offenses committed before, on, or after its effective date (September 1, 2025), though existing final convictions remain unaffected. It directly affects individuals convicted of specified felonies under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 42A.054(a). The law creates a clear time limit and location restriction on firearm access for this group.

Maddy summaryHB 2470 would lower the minimum age to obtain a Texas license to carry a handgun from 21 to 18 years old, directly affecting responsible individuals aged 18-20 who are otherwise eligible under state and federal law. The bill amends Section 411.172(a)(2) of the Government Code to remove the current 21-year requirement, aligning with a federal court ruling that found the prior age limit unconstitutional for this age group. It maintains existing prohibitions, meaning individuals with felony convictions, fugitives, or other disqualifiers would still not qualify. The bill does not change firearm possession rules for those under 18 or alter other eligibility criteria like criminal history.

Maddy summaryHB 675 modifies Texas public information law to limit fees for election-related records. It prohibits governmental bodies from charging for copies of election reports required under Election Code Chapter 254 unless those reports have been publicly available online for three years. The bill also gives the Attorney General authority to cancel or reduce fees if a government body failed to maintain records properly or comply with public information requests. The changes apply only to requests received on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4627 targets electric service quality by preventing utilities from earning profit on infrastructure damaged during weather events they should have anticipated. It sets new reliability standards requiring feeders with 10+ customers to maintain outage rates within 200% of the system average, with the commission considering maintenance history and outage causes when enforcing penalties. The bill also mandates annual inspections and reporting for transmission and distribution poles, requiring utilities to follow structural integrity standards accounting for regional differences and national safety guidelines. These provisions directly affect electric utilities, cooperatives, and municipally owned providers operating in Texas. The bill aims to improve infrastructure resilience and service reliability through enforceable performance metrics and maintenance requirements.

Maddy summaryThe context provided does not include the actual text or provisions of HB 259. The bill description states "This version is not currently available, but is coming soon. In the meantime, please see the PDF for the content of this bill," and no substantive details about the bill's provisions, affected parties, or mechanisms are included in the provided text. Without access to the bill's content, a factual summary cannot be generated. The available information only notes the bill's title, committee referral, and recent procedural actions.

Maddy summaryHB 4660 establishes that space flight activities in Texas fall under both federal and state jurisdiction, prohibiting counties, municipalities, or other local entities from banning or regulating these activities (except as specified in Section 61.132 of the Natural Resources Code). The bill specifically applies to counties bordering the Gulf of Mexico with FAA-approved spaceports and smaller municipalities (under 150,000 population) that have beach access plans. It requires advance notice to local governments for launch dates between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (to the municipality) or 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. (to the commissioners court), and allows temporary beach closures near launch sites for public safety during those dates. The bill does not create new regulations but clarifies local governments' limited authority over space flight activities near coastal areas.