Rep. Keresa Richardson

Maddy summaryHCR 9 designates the first Saturday of every month as "Small Business Saturday" in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution, which does not create new laws or funding, aims to encourage Texans to support local small businesses. It directly affects all Texas small businesses (defined as those employing fewer than 500 people) by promoting community shopping. The designation expires 10 years after the resolution's final passage, per Section 391.004(d) of the Texas Government Code.

Maddy summaryHB 3214 modifies Texas' master plumber license eligibility requirements by reducing the required journeyman plumber experience from four years to two years. It allows applicants to qualify with either two years of experience or one year of experience plus completion of a nationally recognized apprenticeship program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. The bill applies only to new license applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, leaving existing applications and current license holders unaffected. All other requirements - including passing exams and supervision duties - remain unchanged under the revised rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2788 prevents public disclosure of fraud detection methods used by Texas' unemployment benefits system. It specifically exempts internal tools like risk assessments, investigative materials, technology protocols, and communications from Texas' public records law (Chapter 552 of the Government Code). This means the Texas Workforce Commission cannot release these details in response to public information requests. The bill directly affects how the agency handles fraud prevention information but does not change unemployment eligibility rules. It became effective immediately upon the governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1596 amends Texas Penal Code Section 46.05(a) to explicitly prohibit the possession, manufacture, transportation, repair, or sale of short-barrel firearms without proper registration or classification as a curio/antique. The bill directly affects individuals and businesses handling such firearms, adding them to existing prohibitions alongside machine guns and explosive devices. Key provisions include defining short-barrel firearms as illegal under the law (effective September 1, 2025) and establishing limited exceptions for antique/curio items or specific organizations. The bill repeals a prior Penal Code section (46.01(10)) and clarifies that new restrictions apply only to offenses occurring on or after the effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 5682 creates the Colmena Ranch Municipal Management District No. 1 in Collin County, Texas. The district can use limited eminent domain to acquire land, issue bonds for projects, and collect assessments and fees from property owners within its boundaries. Its purpose is to support economic development, improve community services like housing and transportation, and supplement - without replacing - county services in the Colmena Ranch area. This special district will focus on promoting public welfare, employment, and safety through locally funded initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 75 requires magistrates in Texas to provide written findings within 24 hours when they determine no probable cause exists for a criminal arrest. This applies specifically to cases involving offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025. The law aims to create a clear, documented record of the magistrate's decision in these initial proceedings. It directly affects magistrates handling pretrial detention hearings for criminal defendants.

Maddy summaryHB 2071 requires child protective services to refer suspected abuse or neglect cases involving medical consultations to specific, independent physicians who weren’t previously involved in the case. It mandates that parents or guardians receive all medical records - including imaging and test results - before referrals and ensures independent medical reviews resolve disagreements about injury causes. The bill also prohibits barriers to parents obtaining records for second opinions or additional testing. This directly affects parents, child welfare departments, hospitals, and healthcare providers involved in abuse investigations. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1851 allows the Texas Facilities Commission to transfer surplus motor vehicles and law enforcement equipment from the Texas Department of Public Safety to school districts located in economically disadvantaged areas. The bill requires that school districts receiving this equipment cannot sell it for two years and must use it solely for law enforcement duties by school resource officers or security personnel, as defined in the Education Code. This policy change directly affects school districts in economically disadvantaged communities by providing them with additional law enforcement resources. The bill took effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4623 creates new liability standards for Texas public schools and their employees regarding student sexual misconduct. It holds schools financially responsible if they act with gross negligence or intentional misconduct in hiring or supervising employees who commit sexual misconduct against students or fail to report suspected abuse. The law caps damages at $500,000 per victim in successful claims and requires the employee who committed the act to be named as a defendant. This directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and all professional school employees covered by the definition, including teachers, administrators, and even student interns. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 1481 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt written policies prohibiting student use of personal communication devices (such as cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches) during the school day on school property or at school events. Exceptions allow device use for students with documented medical needs, individualized education plans (IEPs), or health/safety protocols. Schools may implement either a full device ban or a secure storage system for devices during school hours, and must return confiscated devices or dispose of them after providing parents 90 days' written notice. The law takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature.