Rep. Richard Hayes

Maddy summaryHB 2503 requires Texas voter registrars to submit voter registration data to the secretary of state on an expedited basis, with specific procedures ensuring they collect and report the correct month, day, and year of birth for each registered voter. This bill directly affects local election officials responsible for maintaining voter registration records. The key provision mandates that electronic submission processes must verify accurate birth date information, reducing errors in the statewide voter registration list. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2572 prohibits Texas public libraries (including school libraries) from using public funds to support the American Library Association (ALA). The bill bans libraries from becoming ALA members, attending ALA events, or providing any financial support to the association, directly affecting all public libraries receiving state or local taxpayer funds. This restriction applies only to expenditures made on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing contracts entered into before that date. The legislation is a direct policy change limiting library funding choices under Texas law.

Maddy summaryHB 2547 bans manufacturers and dealers from producing or selling new motor vehicles equipped with remote vehicle disabling technology (any software, hardware, or device that can disable a vehicle when activated). The bill specifically excludes ignition interlock devices used for DUI offenses. It prohibits these actions starting January 1, 2026, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects vehicle manufacturers and dealers in Texas who would otherwise sell vehicles with such technology.

Maddy summaryHB 930 requires the Texas National Guard to obtain specific Congressional action before being activated for active combat duty. It mandates that such activation can only occur if the U.S. Congress either officially declares war (per Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the Constitution) or takes other official action authorized under Clause 15 of the same section. The bill directly affects the Texas National Guard and the governor, who must ensure compliance with this requirement. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and establishes a clear constitutional threshold for combat deployments.

Maddy summaryHB 2519 requires property sellers and buyers (grantors and grantees) to submit a completed "notice of real property title transfer" form when recording property deeds in Texas. This form must include both parties' full names, addresses, telephone numbers, citizenship status, and social security numbers or taxpayer identification numbers. The county clerk must keep this notice separate from public property records, making it confidential under state law, though it may be shared with state agencies for government purposes. The bill directly affects all individuals or entities buying or selling real property in Texas by adding new disclosure requirements for property transfers.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts new Texas residents from paying use tax on motor vehicles they bring into the state, but only if the vehicle was previously purchased in Texas with use tax already paid at the time of purchase. It directly affects new Texas residents who bought a vehicle in Texas before moving to the state. The exemption applies to vehicles brought into Texas, not those purchased locally after relocation. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1921 allows operators of specific off-highway vehicles - recreational side-by-side vehicles (with seating for operator and passenger) and utility vehicles - to operate on certain public roadways. It permits these unregistered vehicles on highways with speed limits of 65 mph or lower, provided the highway is not an interstate or limited-access road and the vehicle displays a license plate issued under Transportation Code Section 551A.052. The bill directly affects owners and operators of these vehicle types who currently face restrictions on public road use. The law takes effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote, otherwise September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2116 requires all Texas public elementary and secondary schools to display a specific 16x20 inch poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom, using the exact text and formatting outlined in the bill. The poster must include the full biblical text of the Ten Commandments as specified in Section 1.0041(c), be legible from any point in the classroom, and cannot include additional content. Schools may accept private donations meeting these requirements or replace non-compliant displays using public funds. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 2030 amends Texas Penal Code sections 43.24, 43.25, and 43.26 to add specific affirmative defenses for certain criminal offenses involving material or conduct that could be considered obscene or harmful to children. It establishes three key defenses: (1) conduct with scientific, educational, governmental, or similar justification; (2) when the defendant is the child’s spouse, engaging in conduct for medical/educational purposes, or being no more than two years older; and (3) judicial or law enforcement purposes. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, meaning prior offenses remain under older legal standards. This bill directly affects defendants facing prosecution under these specific sections of the Penal Code.

Maddy summaryHB 2245 requires Texas election officials to send written notices to registered voters whose citizenship status matches certain databases (like motor vehicle records or federal databases). Voters must then submit proof of U.S. citizenship - such as a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization document - to the election office within a specified timeframe. The Secretary of State must monthly compare voter registration data against state birth records, motor vehicle databases, Homeland Security, and Social Security Administration systems. This bill directly affects voters whose registration information aligns with these external citizenship records and takes effect September 1, 2025.