Rep. Mike Olcott

Maddy summaryHR 1028 designates May 21, 2025, as "Texas Capitol Staff Appreciation Day" to symbolically recognize legislative staff members for their work supporting Texas lawmakers. This ceremonial resolution, adopted by the Texas House of Representatives, expresses formal appreciation for staff employed in state lawmaker offices and legislative agencies. It has no legal effect, funding requirements, or policy changes - it solely serves as a symbolic gesture of recognition. The bill passed the House on May 23, 2025, and is now enrolled.

Maddy summarySB 1524 prohibits child-placing agencies and state departments from requiring foster homes to disclose specific types of firearms present in their homes or to report changes in firearm types. It also restricts agencies from using any existing firearm information for purposes beyond verifying weapon presence, and mandates that such information remains confidential under Texas law. Violations by agencies could result in a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per incident, enforceable by the attorney general. The bill directly affects foster care agencies, state departments, and foster parents by limiting how firearm information is handled and shared. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5700 requires Palo Pinto County residents to vote in a 2026 election on whether to annex most of the county into the Palo Pinto County Municipal Water District No. 1 (excluding territory already in two other water districts). It changes the district's governance by establishing staggered two-year terms for its five-member board, requiring elections every May, and specifying that directors must own taxable property within the district. The bill also outlines procedures for filling vacancies, including holding special elections for vacancies with more than one year remaining in a term or allowing appointments by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality if the board falls below a majority. This bill directly affects water district residents and board operations in Palo Pinto County.

Maddy summarySB 1316 prohibits e-cigarette advertising on signs located within 1,000 feet of schools or churches in Texas. The bill amends the Health and Safety Code to require this distance, measured from the nearest property line of the institution to the sign. It includes an exception for signs already advertising e-cigarettes within 500-1,000 feet of such institutions before September 1, 1997. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting businesses that advertise e-cigarettes near schools or churches.

Maddy summarySB 530 limits how many credit hours Texas public colleges and universities can require students to complete for associate and bachelor's degrees beyond the minimum set by their institution's accrediting agency. It ensures students transferring between public institutions receive credit for completed courses in similar programs, unless required by their accrediting agency. The bill also requires universities to maintain accreditation by a recognized agency to operate as general academic institutions. These changes apply to all public higher education institutions in Texas and take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4234 requires Texas public colleges and universities to add the average or median grade for each class directly next to a student's individual grade on their transcript. It applies to letter-graded classes with more than 10 students, excluding pass/fail courses and very small classes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will create rules to implement this transparency requirement, effective starting the 2025 fall semester. The bill aims to provide students with clear data on how their grades compare to class performance.

Maddy summaryHB 2638 designates Farm-to-Market Road 10 in Panola County as the "Deputy Sheriff Chris Dickerson Memorial Highway" under Texas Transportation Code. The bill requires the state transportation department to install markers at both ends of the road and at appropriate intermediate locations along its route. This commemorative designation, honoring a specific deputy sheriff, does not alter road maintenance or create new transportation policies. It is a standard memorial road designation with no other substantive provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5014 creates a new "SPECIAL FORCES VETERAN" designation for handgun license holders in Texas. It requires applicants to list qualifying military service (12+ consecutive months in specific Army Special Forces roles like 18A detachment commander or 18B weapons sergeant) and provide proof of eligibility. The bill amends license forms to include this designation alongside existing categories like "VETERAN." It directly affects Texas veterans who served in designated Special Forces positions at E5-E9, W1-W5, or O1-O10 pay grades.

Maddy summaryHB 370 amends Texas law to restrict eligibility for funding from the Events Trust Fund. It prohibits funding for events that allow biological males to compete in sports designated for female athletes. The bill defines "biological male" using official birth certificates or government records stating biological sex, requiring statements entered near birth or corrected for clerical errors. This applies only to events seeking trust fund support and does not affect biological males serving as coaches or support staff. The policy change directly affects sports events applying for state funding under the Events Trust Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 4880 requires the Texas Department of Transportation to remove or mandate removal of speed limit restriction signs in construction or maintenance work zones within three business days after work concludes or is temporarily paused. This directly affects road crews, contractors, and drivers by ensuring temporary speed limits are updated promptly when work ends. The key provision sets a clear 72-hour deadline for sign removal after work completion or suspension, preventing outdated restrictions. The bill aims to improve traffic flow and safety by aligning signage with current road conditions.