Rep. Helen Kerwin

Maddy summaryHB 2532 amends Texas law to clarify definitions for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists. The bill updates licensing definitions in the Occupations Code and authorizes a fee related to these regulations. It directly affects APRNs seeking or maintaining licensure and the Texas Board of Nursing, which oversees their regulation. The key provision standardizes terminology for nursing practice definitions but does not expand APRN scope of practice or prescribe new clinical duties. This is a procedural bill focused on regulatory clarity and fee authorization, not substantive practice changes.

Maddy summaryHJR 118 is a Texas legislative resolution applying to Congress to call an Article V constitutional convention. It specifically requests a convention limited to proposing a constitutional amendment that would restrict members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to a maximum number of terms. The resolution directs Texas officials to transmit copies to Congress and other states, seeking to aggregate Texas's application with similar efforts from other states to reach the required two-thirds threshold. This is a procedural step only - it does not change term limits but aims to initiate the process for a potential constitutional amendment.

Maddy summaryHB 2552 prohibits tolls on highway segments that were part of a terminated comprehensive development agreement between a toll project entity (like a private toll company) and the state. It directly affects toll project entities and drivers using those highway sections, preventing them from charging tolls after such agreements end. The bill amends the Texas Transportation Code to explicitly state that tolls cannot be charged on any part of the project covered by a terminated agreement. This creates a clear, immediate policy change without new fees or complex processes.

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 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 2326 would change how members of the Texas Water Development Board are selected, requiring them to be elected by qualified voters in general elections instead of being appointed by the governor. The bill specifies that board members must have experience in engineering, public/private finance, or law/business, and prohibits individuals with financial ties to entities regulated by the board from serving. It also establishes new eligibility rules, banning those who owned significant interests in regulated businesses or received substantial funds from the board. This would shift the board’s composition from executive appointments to direct voter selection, with staggered six-year terms. The bill applies directly to the 16-member board responsible for water planning and funding in Texas.

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.