Rep. Keresa Richardson

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 summaryThis bill (HB 2246) appears to be a procedural measure focused solely on standardizing the statutory terminology used to refer to a specific body of water. The bill text is not currently available in the provided context, with only a placeholder note indicating it "is coming soon." No concrete policy changes, affected parties, or key mechanisms are described in the available information. Since the bill's content is inaccessible, a factual summary cannot be provided at this time.

Maddy summaryHB 1717's full text is not available in the provided context, preventing a detailed summary of its provisions. The bill title indicates it relates to prosecuting criminal offenses involving sexually explicit visual material with children, but specific mechanisms or affected parties cannot be described without the bill's content. Recent actions show it was filed in December 2024 and referred to the Criminal Jurisprudence committee in March 2025. For an accurate summary of its policy changes, please consult the official bill document or PDF.

Maddy summaryHB 2388 amends Texas law to clarify which organizations must follow public information laws by updating the definition of a "governmental body." It adds 16 specific entities to the definition, including school boards, county commissions, special districts, water service nonprofits, Alamo management entities, and local workforce boards. The bill also excludes certain economic development groups from this definition if they receive under $1 million in public funds from a single government source in a fiscal year. This change directly affects transparency requirements, ensuring more organizations must share public records while exempting smaller economic development entities.

Maddy summaryHB 2390 requires Texas cities and counties to enter written agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under a federal program to allow local officers to enforce federal immigration law. The bill mandates that these agreements specify the scope, duration, and limits of local enforcement authority. Local governments failing to comply could face lawsuits by the attorney general and lose state grant funds for the following fiscal year. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote.

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 2220 creates a new 6.72% state value added tax (VAT) on businesses supplying services or property in Texas. The tax is calculated as the difference between a business's "output tax" (tax collected on sales) and "input tax" (tax paid on purchases), with the net amount due. It exempts small businesses, government entities, and religious/educational organizations from the tax, while excluding financial services, intercompany transactions, and property already taxed under other laws. The bill directly affects most Texas businesses engaged in commercial activity, with revenue directed to state funds as specified in the text.

Maddy summaryHB 1923 removes the fingerprint requirement for applicants seeking or holding a Texas license to carry a handgun. The bill amends Texas Government Code sections 411.0891(d) and 411.174(a) to delete the provision mandating applicants submit "two complete sets of legible and classifiable fingerprints." This change directly affects individuals applying for or renewing a handgun carry license, streamlining the application process by eliminating this specific biometric step. Other requirements - such as providing a photo, proof of residency, a $40 fee, and evidence of handgun proficiency - remain unchanged.

Maddy summaryHB 2332 amends Texas voter registration rules to require applicants to provide either a Texas driver's license or personal ID card displaying the "CERTIFIED TEXAN" designator, the last four digits of their Social Security number, or a statement if they lack these. This directly affects voters registering to vote in Texas elections by changing the identification documentation needed during the registration process. The bill specifies that election registrars must verify the provided ID number against state records if applicants don't submit a "CERTIFIED TEXAN" ID. It streamlines the registration process by clarifying acceptable forms of identification and verification methods for election officials.

Maddy summaryHB 2272 requires Texas voter registrars to send written notices to voters whose registration addresses raise concerns, such as commercial post office boxes or addresses where voters haven’t voted in 25 months. It applies directly to voters whose residence details may not match registration records. The bill creates three specific triggers for sending these notices: using a commercial mailbox, not voting in the prior 25 months after a general election, or other evidence of address discrepancies. Registrars must provide this written confirmation request before potentially removing voters from rolls. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.